Mayor of Darwin

Katrina Fong Lim (born 1961) is the Lord Mayor of the city of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
Katrina completed a Bachelor of Business and Master of Professional Accounting at the University of Southern Queensland.

Katrina was born in 1961 in Darwin; the fourth daughter of respected local couple Alec and Norma Fong Lim. Alec was a businessman who eventually became a very popular Lord Mayor in the 1980s. Katrina completed her primary and secondary education in Darwin, matriculating from Darwin High School in 1979. She was an AFS Exchange Student to the USA for the 1978-79 school year.

Katrina worked for thirteen years with the Commonwealth Public Service, undertaking a variety of jobs in a range of government departments. She then left the Public Service to work in the not for profit sector where she worked for 20 years including time at the YWCA, Crafts Council, NT Centenary of Federation and most recently as the Executive Director of Australia Day Council NT.

Katrina completed both a Bachelor of Business with a double major plus a Master of Professional Accounting from the University of Southern Queensland by external studies. She has also operated a small business initially delivering Financial Management Training to builders through the Master Builders Association NT.

Katrina was voted Lord Mayor of Darwin in April 2012, and together with twelve elected Aldermen, will lead the 21st Council of Darwin for a period of four years.

Katrina lives with her husband Tony Waite in Nightcliff. She names her five sisters and mother as her strongest supporters and influencers, with the values and ethics instilled by her late father Alec Fong Lim still guiding her today.




Darwin
Darwin, is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin is the largest city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, with a population of 136,245. It is the smallest and most northerly of the Australian capital cities, and acts as the Top End's regional centre. Darwin was originally a pioneer outpost.

Darwin's proximity to South East Asia makes it an important Australian gateway to countries such as Indonesia and East Timor. The Stuart Highway begins in Darwin, ending at Port Augusta in South Australia. The city itself is built on a low bluff overlooking the harbour. Its suburbs spread out over some area, beginning at Lee Point in the north and stretching to Berrimah in the east. Past Berrimah, the Stuart Highway goes on to Darwin's satellite city, Palmerston, and its suburbs. The Darwin region, like the rest of the Top End, has a tropical climate, with a wet and a dry season. The city is noted for its consistently warm to hot climate, all throughout the year. Prone to cyclone activity during the wet season, Darwin experiences heavy monsoonal downpours and spectacular lightning shows. During the dry season, the city is met with blue skies and gentle sea breezes from the harbour.

The greater Darwin area is the ancestral home of the Larrakia people. On 9 September 1839, HMS Beagle sailed into Darwin harbour during its surveying of the area. John Clements Wickham named the region "Port Darwin" in honour of their former shipmate Charles Darwin, who had sailed with them on the ship's previous voyage which had ended in October 1836. The settlement there became the town of Palmerston in 1869, and was renamed Darwin in 1911.The city has been almost entirely rebuilt twice, once due to Japanese air raids during World War II, and again after being devastated by Cyclone Tracy in 1974.

Mayor of Toowoomba

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio has been Mayor of the region since 2012. Bringing more than 30 years of local government experience to the role, Paul was previously the Deputy Mayor of the Toowoomba Regional Council in its first amalgamated term, and Mayor of Millmerran Shire Council for eight years, having served continuously on Council from 1982-2008.

As Mayor of one of Australia's most family friendly cities, Paul leads the region at a time of intense growth and development. The current and projected spend in the broader region is estimated at more than $11 billion dollars which includes the construction of the much anticipated Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, one of Australia's largest ever inland road projects.

Paul is the founding Chair of the Darling Downs South West Queensland Council of Mayors and a director of the Council of Mayors South East Queensland which collectively represents in in seven Australians.

Mayor Antonio continues to advocate for Toowoomba's place on the planned Brisbane to Melbourne Inland Rail Line and is an executive member of the alliance of Local Governments likely to be impacted by the project.
Paul is also leading the business community to position Toowoomba as the transport and logistics hub of Queensland and Australia.

Other significant initiatives delivered under Paul's leadership include an extensive flood recovery and mitigation program for Toowoomba following the devastating floods of 2011 and 2013; declaration of the region a Refugee Welcome Zone; and hosting one of Queensland's largest White Ribbon Day events promoting peace particularly in families and homes.

Paul holds a Diploma of Agriculture, is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has held of number of board positions.

Serving as patron of a number of local associations, Paul is also a White Ribbon Ambassador.

In his time away from Council the Mayor continues his interest in the family farming operation west of Millmerran concentrating on the production of Angus beef and grain.


Toowoomba

Toowoomba (nicknamed 'The Garden City' and the 'Queen City') is a city in the

Darling Downs region of Queensland, Australia. It is located 125 km (78 mi) west of Queensland's capital city Brisbane by road. The estimated population of Toowoomba as of 2016 is 165,168. A university and cathedral city, that hosts the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers each September and national championship events for the sports of mountain biking and motocross. There are more than 150 public parks and gardens in Toowoomba.It has developed into a regional centre for business and government services. It is also referred to as the capital of the Darling Downs.

It is the sixteenth-largest city in Australia, the sixth largest in Queensland, after Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Cairns. Toowoomba is the most populous inland city in the country after the national capital, Canberra.

Mayor of Ballarat

Councillor Des Hudson was re-elected to Council in October 2012 having

previously held the role of Deputy Mayor in 2007 and 2008. Councillor Hudson was first elected to Council in March 2002 to represent the Sebastopol Ward. 

One of three South Ward Councillors, Councillor Hudson is also a People and Communities Portfolio Councillor.

Councillor Hudson is committed to being actively involved in the growth of Ballarat and in the development of a long term vision for the city. Cr Hudson advocates strongly ensuring all South Ward residents are well represented.

Councillor Hudson is the current President and Life Member of the Ballarat Police Blue Light Committee, Executive Member of the Ballarat & Maryborough Blue Ribbon Foundation, Chairperson of the Ballarat & District Suicide Prevention Network, Project Coordinator of ‘The BUS' Mobile Youth Entertainment Vehicle, Panel Member of the Ballarat and District Soccer Association Disciplinary Tribunal and is a Ballarat White Ribbon Day Ambassador.

Councillor Hudson is a serving member of Victoria Police with 24 years’ service.  He has been awarded both the National Medal and the Ethical Standards Medal and was a Runner-Up in the Victoria Police Youth Officer of the Year.  He is the current Youth Resource Officer for the Ballarat and Pyrenees Local Government Areas.





Ballarat
Ballarat, is a city located on the Yarrowee River and lower western plains of the Great Dividing Range in the state of Victoria, Australia, approximately 105 kilometres (65 mi) west-north-west of the state capital, Melbourne. It is the third most populous urban area in the state, with a population of 96,940 It is the state's most populated inland settlement, and third most populated inland settlement in Australia. People from Ballarat are referred to as Ballaratians.

The City of Ballarat local government area encompasses both the Greater Ballarat urban area and outlying towns, with an area of 740 square kilometres (290 sq mi), and has an urban area population of 93,501.Ballarat is its most populous urban centre, seat of local government and administrative centre.

It was named by Scottish squatter Archibald Yuille who established the first settlement − his sheep run called Ballaarat − in 1837, with the name derived from a local Wathaurong Aboriginal word for the area, balla arat, thought to mean "resting place". The present spelling was officially adopted by the City of Ballarat in 1996.

The Eureka Rebellion began in Ballarat, and the only armed rebellion in Australian history, the Battle of Eureka Stockade, took place on 3 December 1854. In response to the event the first male suffrage in Australia was instituted and as such Eureka is interpreted by some as the origin of democracy in Australia. The gold rush and boom gave birth to many other significant cultural legacies. The rebellion's symbol, the Eureka Flag has become a national symbol and is held at the Museum of Australian Democracy at Eureka in Ballarat. Other nationally significant heritage structures include the Ballarat Botanical Gardens, established 1857, the best example of a regional botanic gardens in Australia with the greatest concentration of public statuary including the official Prime Ministers Avenue; the longest running lyric theatre building, Her Majesty's, established 1875; the first municipal observatory, established 1886; and the earliest and longest memorial avenue, the Avenue of Honour, established between 1917 and 1919.

Proclaimed a city in 1871, its prosperity continued until late in the 19th century, after which its importance relative to both Melbourne and Geelong rapidly faded with the slowing of gold extraction. It has endured as a major regional centre hosting the rowing and kayaking events from the 1956 Summer Olympics. It is the commercial capital of the Central Highlands and the largest city in the Goldfields region of Victoria—a significant tourist destination. Ballarat is known for its history, culture and its well-preserved Victorian era heritage.

Mayor of Bendigo

Lockwood Ward Councillor, Rod Fyffe, was formally elected as Mayor of Greater Bendigo City

Council on Tuesday November 10, 2015.

During his inaugural speech, Cr Fyffe said Council’s top priority must be to deliver the projects and strategies identified in the Council Plan.

“This includes having construction underway on the Greater Bendigo Indoor Aquatic Leisure and Wellbeing Centre, the Bendigo Airport redevelopment and the Bendigo Stadium expansion,” Cr Fyffe said.

“It also includes investing in our city’s health and wellbeing by expanding our network of shared pathways for walkers and cyclists, and continuing to invest in maintaining the city’s existing infrastructure.

“And it means continuing to implement Council’s big strategies – the Connecting Greater Bendigo: Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy and the Residential Development Strategy, the Hospital Precinct Structure Plan and the Rosalind Park Master Plan.



Bendigo,is a city in Victoria, Australia, located very close to the geographical centre of the state and approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) north west of the state capital, Melbourne. Bendigo has an urban population of 82,794 making it the fourth largest inland city in Australia and fourth most populous city in the state. It is the administrative centre for the City of Greater Bendigo which encompasses both the urban area and outlying towns spanning an area of approximately 3,000 square kilometres (1,158 sq mi) and over 111,000 people.

The discovery of gold in the soils of Bendigo during the 1850s made it one of the most significant Victorian era boomtowns in Australia. News of the finds intensified the Victorian gold rush bringing an influx of migrants to the city from around the world within a year and transforming it from a sheep station to a major settlement in the newly proclaimed Colony of Victoria. Once the alluvial gold had been mined out, mining companies were formed to exploit the rich underground quartz reef gold. Since 1851 about 780,000 kilograms (25 million troy ounces) of gold. have been extracted from Bendigo's goldmines, making it the highest producing goldfield in Australia in the 19th century and the largest gold mining economy in eastern Australia. It is also notable for its Victorian architectural heritage. The city took its name from the Bendigo Creek and its residents from the earliest days of the goldrush have been called "Bendigonians".

Mayor of Albury-Wodonga

LAST year Albury saw the ascent of its new mayor Henk van de Ven.
He took over the reins from former mayor Cr Kevin Mack who served for two terms from September 2013 to September 2015.
Cr van de Ven’s main goal coming into his new posting was to preserve the future of local government.
Cr van de Ven, who had been on Albury Council for 11 years and served as deputy mayor four times strongly believed that the biggest issue was the future of council.
“We’ve lost indexation on FAG grants, we’ve had to put up the money for Fit for the Future submissions, and there’s rumours and innuendo around about what’s going to happen to councils – that they’re all going to be sacked, they’re all going to be forced to merge, and I think that’s the real hub of the whole issue at the moment,” Cr van de Ven said at that time.
During his term as mayor, Cr van de Ven said he wanted to ensure that the council was well engaged with the community and listened to what it wants for the future progress of the city.
“I think the people of Albury deserve democracy at a local level,” he said.
“I think we’ve got some tough times with the Fit for the Future and possible amalgamations so my aim really is to continue the good work this council has done in the past three years.”



The City of Albury is a local government area in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia. The area covers 305.9 square kilometres (118.1 sq mi) to the north of the Murray River. The area extends around 10–12 km east and west along the river from the centre of Albury and up to 20 km north.

Albury is located 460 kilometres (290 mi) to the south–west of Sydney and 260 kilometres (160 mi) to the north–east of Melbourne. The national Hume Highway passes through the area. Other major road transport links include the Riverina Highway that commences east of Albury and runs west to Deniliquin; and north of Albury, the Olympic Highway connects Albury with Cowra. The city forms a major crossing point of the Murray River and also the railway junction of the Main Southern line with the North East line.

Albury was declared a municipality in 1859 and proclaimed a city in 1946.

The Mayor of the City of Albury is Cr. Henk van de Ven.

Mayor of Launceston

Albert Van Zetten (born 12 April 1954) is an Australian politician and the current Mayor of

Launceston, Tasmania. He was formerly CEO of City Mission Launceston, and worked as an accountant. He lives in Riverside with his wife Lyndle.

He is well known for his opposition to the Bell Bay Pulp Mill.

The Launceston City Council consists of 12 aldermen elected by the community. 

On 21 March 1994, following the introduction of the new Local Government Act 1993 (January 1994) the Launceston City Council reaffirmed that its elected members be called aldermen instead of councillors. From October 2014, Aldermen serve a four-year term of office.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Launceston City Council are likewise elected by public vote at Council Election every four years. The elected candidate must also be elected as an Alderman to be eligible for the position.

Information for voters at Launceston City Council Elections

There is a Code of Conduct for Aldermen (PDF 420KB) that the Aldermen must adhere to.

The Council will reimburse expenditure incurred by the Aldermen in undertaking their role as an Alderman on behalf of the Council. Mayor and Aldermens Expenses Resources Policy (PDF 64KB)

Guidelines are provided to Aldermen with regard to accurate records being made, of activities and decisions of Aldermen, undertaken whilst acting in their official capacity on behalf of the Council.  Record Keeping for Alderment Policy (PDF 25KB)

For information on previous Mayors and Aldermen please email the Council.



The City of Launceston is a local government area of Tasmania, encompassing about half of the greater Launceston area in northern Tasmania. It also includes a region to the north east of Launceston, encompassing towns such as Lilydale. The population residing in this area, 67,190, is the highest of any Local Government Area in Tasmania.

This area is governed by the Launceston City Council, led by a mayor and eleven other aldermen. The current mayor is Albert Van Zetten, who defeated Legislative Councillor Ivan Dean in the 2007 council elections. Dean's predecessor, Janie Dickenson, was, at the time of her election, the youngest female mayor in Australia. She was first elected mayor in February 2002 at the age of 27.

Professional integrity, passion and meticulous planning are only some of the attributes Mayor

Deirdre Comerford is renowned for region wide. Having grown up on a cane farm near Eton, Cr Comerford possesses a sound understanding of the region's diverse economic drivers. She cares deeply about her community and its people.

First elected to Mackay City Council in 1994, she retired as Deputy Mayor in 2004 to adopt her two children from Taiwan. Re-elected in 2008 she held the Water and Waste Water portfolio. In 2012 she was elected Mayor of Mackay Regional Council.

Prior to council she worked for the Justice Department Public Trust Office administering deceased estates and managing the financial affairs of clients. This valuable experience allowed her to develop an appreciation for processes, a keen eye for detail and an impeccable memory. She then became a Real Estate agent and it was in this role she discovered her passion for land use planning.

Cr Comerford is proud of her leadership role with the Cairns-Townsville-Mackay Water Alliance (which won the 2011 National Award for Asset and Financial Management), the $154M wastewater recycling project irrigating 2800ha of farmland, establishment of the 10 bed drug and alcohol residential facility in Mackay, and Lest We Forget Soldier Street Naming Project to name a few.

Encouraging others to reach his/her full potential, Cr Comerford devoted much time and energy in implementing the first mentoring program in Queensland for staff and councillors. Cr Comerford was State President of the Australian Local Government Women's Association and served 11 years on the State and National Executives. She now serves on the LGAQ Policy Executive representing Mackay-Whitsunday-Isaac region.

Cr Comerford's wide involvement in community service includes Charter Member and Past President of the Pioneer Quota Club, a service club for businesswomen. She is a Trustee of the Macrossan and Amiet Charitable Foundation, Artspace Foundation, Mackay Community Foundation, Life Member of Mackay Tourism, Chair of Diversify Mackay Leadership Alliance, Chair of Whitsunday ROC, Deputy Chair of Regional Capitals Australia , Regional Co-ordinator International Adoptive Families of Queensland, a volunteer for 23 years at the Mater Hospital and has served on numerous other community groups over many years.

Happily married for more than 33 years to husband Brett, the couple's two children are aged 12 and 10.

Mackay,is a city and its centre suburb in the Mackay Region on the eastern coast of Queensland, Australia. It is located about 970 kilometres (603 mi) north of Brisbane, on the Pioneer River. Mackay is nicknamed the sugar capital of Australia because its region produces more than a third of Australia's cane sugar.

There is controversy about the location of the region for administrative purposes, with most people referring to it as a part of either Central Queensland or North Queensland. Indeed, much confusion lies within the Queensland Government, with government services being provided through both Townsville (North Queensland) and Rockhampton (Central Queensland). Generally, the area is known as the Mackay–Whitsunday Region.

Mayor of Rockhampton

I am of a certain age 🙂 , married to Darryl and we have four grown up children – Deborah,

Alan, Elizabeth and Priscilla.

Darryl’s family have been five or six generations in the Rockhampton region. His dad was Alan – who worked at the railway as a plumber, his mum was Beryl (who made legendary sponge cakes) and family members have been active in Cricket and Hockey forever!

I was born in Toowoomba, had a bit of a messed up childhood (what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger) and eventually ended up at the Capricornia Institute of Advanced Education (now Central Queensland University) studying to be a Primary Teacher.

Darryl and I married in 1978 (which gives my age away a bit 🙂 )

Since that time, I have been a teacher, a full time mum, a Child Care Director and a perpetual student. And Mayor of Rockhampton for eight years.



I have my original teacher’s diploma and four other qualifications in education and history, including two degrees and a Masters in Education Studies.

I am an active member of my church, a keen gardener and I will read just about anything I can lay my hands on.

And I am convinced that we all have something to offer.. and that we need to be willing to do the offering!

Project such as the Gracemere Industrial Area, the ‘food bowl’ and the weirs on the Fitzroy River and engagement with the mining community were projects lead by Rockhampton Council.

I championed amalgamation and regional co- operation.



I did not contest the election in 2008 believing that a new Mayor would give the newly amalgamated council the best chance.

By early 2012 it was obvious that the amalgamation was not going well and so I answered the call from many in the community to nominate in 2012.

I found a bitter and divided community which was reflected at the council table.

The budget was in serious deficit and debt had risen from $84 million at amalgamation to $220 million with several multimillion dollar items ordered but not yet paid for at the time I was re- elected.

The newly elected Newman Government had promised a vote on deamalgamation. And the rest is history.

In the last four years I have stopped the ever upward rise in debt and have actually paid four and a half million dollars down.

I’ve returned the budget to a comfortable Surplus and the strength of our finances now is evidenced by the fact that we were able to sustain the financial shock of Marcia with only a 1.9% Rates rise.

I put the topic of the Fitzroy Weirs back on the agenda, allocated funding to finish the work at Gracemere – both residential and industrial, and I have begun a major renewal programme in the CBD of Rockhampton with new technology and jobs firmly at its heart.

I believe it’s important for Rockhampton regional council to be very focused on its own economic health at the moment.

Rockhampton is a city and local government area in Queensland, Australia. The city lies on the Fitzroy River, approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi) from the river mouth, and some 600 kilometres (370 mi) north of the state capital, Brisbane. Rockhampton has a north and south side with three bridges connecting both sides, one for trains and two for vehicles and people.

The estimated urban population of Rockhampton in June 2014 was 80,345. Rockhampton hosts a significant number of governmental, community and major business administrative offices for the central, coastal part of the state.

Rockhampton experiences over 300 days of sunshine each year, which lends itself to tourism activities all year round and an abundance of outdoor activities. Popular attractions include Riverbank Parklands, a riverfront parkland attraction located on the banks of Fitzroy River; the Capricorn Coast, the coastal strip between Yeppoon, Emu Park and Great Keppel Island, a large neighbouring island off the Capricorn Coast, the vast majority of which is national park.