A PASSION to serve the community has prompted Millicent educator Moira Neagle to nominate as a Corcoran Ward representative on Wattle Range Council in the coming elections.
A contest in this ward is now assured as a number of the five serving councillors are poised to re-nominate along with at least five other newcomers – Ms Neagle, Nicolle Looby-McRostie, Michael Gurney, Klaus Emmerich and Graham Slarks.
The nomination period runs for a fortnight from September 4.
As Ms Neagle is stepping down from full-time work at the end of 2018, after five years as Tantanoola Primary School principal, she believes she has the energy and dedication to be an effective councillor.
Ms Neagle believes her 38 years as a teacher and school leader in a number of communities across the Wattle Range Council area has equipped her well for an elected role.
“My work has given me a wide range of skills in managing budgets, staff, equipment and building assets,” Ms Neagle said
“I am an observer and columnist who writes of our lives, issues and aspirations and am an active member of my community.
“I believe individuals can make a difference, however, cohesive teams with a vision of how a community can be better can make a greater difference and I want to be a member of such a proactive team.
“Most rural communities face a number of challenges which require creative and practical approaches to invigorate and enhance what we have and what we can be.
“I am at a stage in my life when I am stepping away from the paid workforce and want to be productively involved in my community’s wellbeing.”
Her campaign manifesto contains a number of pledges if she is successful in the postal ballot.
“As a Wattle Range Councillor, I will actively listen to the ideas, issues and concerns of residents and get back to people in follow-up of such,” she said.
“I will focus on the strengths and potential of our community to address issues and to plan efficiently and imaginatively.
“I favour transparency of decision making and keeping residents informed.
“Having managed large public-funded budgets, I can balance needs within available resourcing.
“I support the consultation practices of Mayor Peter Gandolfi and chief executive Ben Gower over the recent past.”
Her current community interests include the Millicent and Surrounds Health Support Group, Imagine Millicent Public Arts Group (IMAG) and the Company of 7 Theatre Group.
In the past, Ms Neagle has been involved with Wattle Range Council with its social issues sub-committee, chaired its Corcoran Ward Consultative Committee and was a candidate at the 2010 poll.
Ms Neagle has been a member of the Limestone Coast Regional Development Australia Board, a community mentoring project officer and a member of the management committee of the Noorla-Yo Long Youth Training Centre at Rendelsham.
She was a parent representative on the councils of Millicent North Primary School and Millicent High School and served for three years on the Millicent Hospital Board.
Until the outcome of the council election is known, Ms Neagle has decided to not submit her weekly columns for publication in The South Eastern Times.
