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Cairns Regional Council Election 2024
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors.
The Cairns Regional Council Election will take place in 2024 and Shane Cuthbert is well placed, as a politically active member of the Cairns community to comment on the many Cairns Divisional candidates and Mayor position up for grabs.
Shane Cuthbert has attended MOST Cairns Regional Council General Meetings, Cairns Regional Council Planning and Environment Meetings and shares various networks with current and aspiring Cairns Councillors.
Cairns Mayor Terry James urges tourists to visit Cairns and says "Dont Flush the Toilet".
CAN YOU BELIEVE
Our new Mayor Terry James literally tells Sky News that tourists should be coming to Cairns for holidays, whilst in the very next sentence goes on to say we should not flush our toilets adding that, "there's plenty of water outside you can use a bucket"...
What is this?
Is this what we want?
Is this who we want leading us into the next natural Disaster so that he can mismanage it all over again?
This guy is head of the Cairns Unity Team, the same team that creates dodgy deals, has been found to have conflicts of interest without declaring them and is corrupt.
We need a NEW Council, we need to shave twenty or 30 years off the median age of our representatives, experience is great but we have plenty of young, experienced and educated people that can do a far better job.
The Unity Team is too old and too lazy.
Council must get with the times.
We should also be voting for independents because independents are the only Councillors capable of holding leaders like Terry accountable, independents are the only Councillors capable of properly representing the constituents that elect them without bias and party room agendas.
I am an independent and I am running in Division 4 (Mooroobool, Manunda, Manoora, Earlville and Kanimbla) and I would like to have your support on March 16 and make Cairns Safe Again!
Unity - You're not is safe hands.
Our new Mayor Terry James literally tells Sky News that tourists should be coming to Cairns for holidays, whilst in the very next sentence goes on to say we should not flush our toilets adding that, "there's plenty of water outside you can use a bucket"...
What is this?
Is this what we want?
Is this who we want leading us into the next natural Disaster so that he can mismanage it all over again?
This guy is head of the Cairns Unity Team, the same team that creates dodgy deals, has been found to have conflicts of interest without declaring them and is corrupt.
We need a NEW Council, we need to shave twenty or 30 years off the median age of our representatives, experience is great but we have plenty of young, experienced and educated people that can do a far better job.
The Unity Team is too old and too lazy.
Council must get with the times.
We should also be voting for independents because independents are the only Councillors capable of holding leaders like Terry accountable, independents are the only Councillors capable of properly representing the constituents that elect them without bias and party room agendas.
I am an independent and I am running in Division 4 (Mooroobool, Manunda, Manoora, Earlville and Kanimbla) and I would like to have your support on March 16 and make Cairns Safe Again!
Unity - You're not is safe hands.
Current Division One Councillor Brett Moller (Leadership and Governance)The area known as South Cairns is seperated into three divisions. Division One Councillor Brett Moller is a fantastic advocate for the local community of Gordonvale and its surrounds. It is likely Councillor Brett Moller will retain his seat however, as Mayor Bob Manning steps down, there is a possibility Brett Moller considers running as Mayor on the Unity team ticket.
Cairns Councillor Brett Moller in my opinion is the most advanced in terms of governance and leadership having practised law and served as the Chair of Ports North, State President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland and Director on the Australian Chamber of Commerce Board. Divison 1 Councillor Brett Moller represents the areas of Gordonvale Bramston Beach and Babinda.
Brett Moller is currently unopposed.
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Division 2 Candidate Nikki Guimelli (Unity Team)
Nikki has had a long and vibrant business history in the Cairns tourism industry and small business community. Nikki has a deep love for Cairns and has developed many strong relationships in the city’s broader community through connecting with organisations such as The Chamber of Commerce, The Cairns Businesswomen’s Club, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and the Skal Club of Cairns where she was president in 2022/23 and now sits on the National Board.
Nikki volunteers her time mentoring students, business owners and emerging leaders in the region. She believes her experience in advocacy, notably liaising with State and Federal Ministers, media, and local organisations such as the Cairns Chamber of Commerce during COVID-19, sets her in good stead to effectively serve the community. She is a voluntary member of the QLD Government Regional Community Forum (since 2022) where she engages with various organisations, Government officials, business owners and community leaders to advocate for Cairns.
Nikki volunteers her time mentoring students, business owners and emerging leaders in the region. She believes her experience in advocacy, notably liaising with State and Federal Ministers, media, and local organisations such as the Cairns Chamber of Commerce during COVID-19, sets her in good stead to effectively serve the community. She is a voluntary member of the QLD Government Regional Community Forum (since 2022) where she engages with various organisations, Government officials, business owners and community leaders to advocate for Cairns.
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Division 3 Candidate Heidi Healy (Unity Team)
At the age of 19, Heidi started her first business, a family daycare centre. After two years she moved on to serve in both Assistant Director and Director roles during the pandemic as well as opening La Belle Lash and beauty in 2019.
Her career highlights include being named Cairns Show Rural Ambassador in 2023, Cairns Post Top 30 Entrepreneurs, Guest Speaker for Cairns Finest Young Leaders, and recognised as a finalist in several categories at the Cairns Business Excellence Awards, including Emerging Leadership Excellence Award in 2022, People Management Excellence Award in 2021, and Customer Service – Trade, Retail & Services in 2021.
Her career highlights include being named Cairns Show Rural Ambassador in 2023, Cairns Post Top 30 Entrepreneurs, Guest Speaker for Cairns Finest Young Leaders, and recognised as a finalist in several categories at the Cairns Business Excellence Awards, including Emerging Leadership Excellence Award in 2022, People Management Excellence Award in 2021, and Customer Service – Trade, Retail & Services in 2021.
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Division 5 Candidate Nathan Lee Long (Unity Team)
Nathan Lee Long is a 6th-generation Cairns local with family roots dating back to 1907. Descendants of Kwong Sue Duk then continued to be part of and serve the Cairns community.
Since 2014 Mr Lee Long and his wife operate a local event management and services business.In a community capacity, Nathan Lee Long has a long of history of contribution to community service.
Nathan Lee Long is a 6th-generation Cairns local with family roots dating back to 1907. Descendants of Kwong Sue Duk then continued to be part of and serve the Cairns community.
Since 2014 Mr Lee Long and his wife operate a local event management and services business.In a community capacity, Nathan Lee Long has a long of history of contribution to community service.
Current Division Four Councillor Terry James (Deputy Mayor)
Division Four Councillor Terry James. Cairns Councillor Terry James is one of the least vocal in Council meetings and across social issues however, having served on Cairns Regional Council 1999-2008 (when Division 2 Councillor won an election against him in Division 3) and again from 2012 to Current and previously on Cairns City Council 1994-1995.
Divison 4 Councillor Terry James represents the areas of Earlville, Kanimbla and Mooroobool, and parts of Manoora and Manunda. It is expected that as Deputy Mayor and member of the Cairns Unity team, Terry James will run for the position of Cairns Regional Council Mayor 2024, being the most experienced Cairns Council incumbents.
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Division 4 Candidate Jeremy Neal (Unity Team)
Unity team placeholder, Jeremy Neal is probably the weakest Unity Team candidate running in the upcoming election. Jeremy Neal does not have a profile and is not very well known in the Cairns community, since nominating and announcing his candidacy, he has done very little.
Running mate for Division 4 Shane Cuthbert reached out to Jeremy to congratulate him on his nomination and was ignored. Shane Cuthbert says "I sent Jeremy Neal a message and said congrats mate, look forward to shaking hands, i'm sure we will be seeing a lot of each other during the campaign and that i didn't want any hard feelings between us as we both advocate to make the community better and he blocked me, i just thought this guy's a tosser and an asshole".
Unity team placeholder, Jeremy Neal is probably the weakest Unity Team candidate running in the upcoming election. Jeremy Neal does not have a profile and is not very well known in the Cairns community, since nominating and announcing his candidacy, he has done very little.
Running mate for Division 4 Shane Cuthbert reached out to Jeremy to congratulate him on his nomination and was ignored. Shane Cuthbert says "I sent Jeremy Neal a message and said congrats mate, look forward to shaking hands, i'm sure we will be seeing a lot of each other during the campaign and that i didn't want any hard feelings between us as we both advocate to make the community better and he blocked me, i just thought this guy's a tosser and an asshole".
Current Division Six Councillor Kristy Valelly (The Imperfect Mum)
Division Six Councillor Kristy Vallelly is a fantastic advocate for the local community and one of the most genuine Councillors. Cairns Councillor Kristy Vallelly was an early supporter alongside Rob Pyne of the Youth Advisory Committee, recommended by the Cairns Young Chamber economic stimulus paper to which, Shane Cuthbert contributed in 2019-2020. If you would like to know more about the Cairns Young Chamber Economic Stimuls Paper CLICK HERE
Divison 6 Councillor Kristy Vallelly operates the popular 'imperfect mum' online blog and represents the areas of Brinsmead, Crystal Cascades, Kamerunga, Redlynch, Freshwater and Stratford. It is expected first time Councillor Kristy Vallelly retain her Division Six seat, as part of the Cairns Unity team.
Current Division Seven Councillor Max O'Halloran (Development)
Division One Councillor Max O'Halloran is a local legend, personable, welcoming and kind. Cairns Councillor Max O'Halloran is one of the more supportive Councillors of development having a background in construction and roofing.
Divison 7 Councillor Max O'Halloran also loves his sports, The former Footscray (now Western Bulldogs) and Carlton AFL player is a life member and coach with AFL Cairns, Patron of Cairns Bands and the Rondo Theatre, and a life member of Tobruk Pool and North Cairns Football Club and represents the areas of Edge Hill and Whitfield, as well as parts of Manoora, Manunda and Brinsmead. Max has stated that he will not contest the Cairns 2024 election.
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Division 7 Candidate Matthew Calanna (Unity Team)
Matthew Calanna studied a Bachelor of Pharmacy, graduating in 2013 and has been a community pharmacist since then. After finishing Uni in Townsville, he returned to Cairns to join his father (Mario Calanna) in business, which at the time consisted of 2 pharmacies in Cairns – Woree and North Cairns.
Matthew Calanna took on the role of developing and growing “Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy” and expanded the network of stores. There are now 12 pharmacy locations across Cairns, Townsville, Innisfail, Atherton and the Gold Coast.
The Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy Group also directly supports numerous sporting and community organisations, schools, parishes and charities. providing monetary assistance and stocking up the first aid kits of many sporting clubs in the region over the decades covering most codes including Rugby League, Rugby Union, Netball, Soccer,Basketball, the local Men’s Shed's across our local regions, Rotary, Rosie's, the Hospital Foundation and many others.
Matthew Calanna took on the role of developing and growing “Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy” and expanded the network of stores. There are now 12 pharmacy locations across Cairns, Townsville, Innisfail, Atherton and the Gold Coast.
The Calanna Wholehealth Pharmacy Group also directly supports numerous sporting and community organisations, schools, parishes and charities. providing monetary assistance and stocking up the first aid kits of many sporting clubs in the region over the decades covering most codes including Rugby League, Rugby Union, Netball, Soccer,Basketball, the local Men’s Shed's across our local regions, Rotary, Rosie's, the Hospital Foundation and many others.
Current Division Eight Councillor Rhonda Coghlan (Sports)
Division Eight Councillor Rhonda Coghlan is a fantastic advocate for the local community of Gordonvale and its surrounds. Cairns Councillor Rhonda Coghlan is the most passionate about local community sporting organisations, always happy to advocate on thier behalf and support grants and funding for sports around Cairns. Divison 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan represents the areas of Barron, Caravonica, Holloways Beach, Machans Beach, Smithfield, Yorkeys Knob, and Trinity Park. Rhonda Coghlan, part of the Cairns Unity team, will be tough to beat this election.
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Team Unity
The Unity team has faced critisism recently over its decision to support the appointment of Division 4 Councillor Terry James as interim Mayor following the departure of Bob Manning OAM.
The disunited Cairns Unity team has made a public announcement regarding their new look team for the Cairns Council Election 2024. This announcment follows the departure of Division 5 Councillor Amy Eden who intends to run her own team against Unity and rumours former Unity Mayor Kevin Byrne was also putting together a team of his own, disillusioned with current Unity leaders Bob Manning and Terry James.
Shane Cuthbert says "its still the same chicken even though it got a new head" referring to Terry James announcement that he will run for Mayor as Bob Manning retires. The team, led by Terry James is running candidates in every Division in the region except Division 9 where Councillor Brett Olds, one of the more popular Councillors remains king. The team consists of current Division 1 Councillor Brett Moller, Division 6 Councillor Kristy Vallelly, and Division 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan. The team will run fresh faces Nikki Guimelli (Division 2), Heidi Healy (Division 3), Jeremy Neal (Division 4), Nathan Lee Long (Division 5) and Matthew Calanna (Division 7)
Video Courtesy Channel 7 News Cairns
Shane Cuthbert says "its still the same chicken even though it got a new head" referring to Terry James announcement that he will run for Mayor as Bob Manning retires. The team, led by Terry James is running candidates in every Division in the region except Division 9 where Councillor Brett Olds, one of the more popular Councillors remains king. The team consists of current Division 1 Councillor Brett Moller, Division 6 Councillor Kristy Vallelly, and Division 8 Councillor Rhonda Coghlan. The team will run fresh faces Nikki Guimelli (Division 2), Heidi Healy (Division 3), Jeremy Neal (Division 4), Nathan Lee Long (Division 5) and Matthew Calanna (Division 7)
Video Courtesy Channel 7 News Cairns
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Division 4 Candidate Shane Cuthbert (Independent)
Shane Cuthbert is the most popular candidate in the Cairns Regional Council Elections according to Google having received National and International media coverage during the election campaign. The increased media attention is something local Cairns Councillors have not received in the past, especially in Division 4.
As at Thursday 23rd November, Shane Cuthbert enjoyed an average 10x more google clicks than any other candidate including both Mayoral Candidates Amy Eden and Terry James, who receive on average 70+ google quiries per month compared to Cuthbert's 790+ AS SEEN ON
As at Thursday 23rd November, Shane Cuthbert enjoyed an average 10x more google clicks than any other candidate including both Mayoral Candidates Amy Eden and Terry James, who receive on average 70+ google quiries per month compared to Cuthbert's 790+ AS SEEN ON
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Over the last four years, Shane Cuthbert has volunteered with the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Australian Marine Conservation Society, COUCH, Cairns Helpers Helping Those in Quarantine, Lifeline, Australian Youth Climate Coalition Cairns, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, Domestic Violence Anonymous, Tangaroa Blue and Greenpeace. He has also volunteered with the Cairns Ironman event, Crankworx, the Reef Restoration Foundation, Mayor Bob Manning's Christmas Appeal and many others.
Speaking publicly at the St Vincent De Paul Societies CEO Sleepout and Lifeline's Out of the Shadows, suicide prevention events last year, Shane says that "through volunteering, individuals have the power to help themselves whilst helping others", a powerful statement. Shane Cuthberts commitment to volunteering in communities spans more than 20 years.
Shane Cuthbert has been heavily supportive of the greater Cairns community, standing side by side with indigenous leaders during Black Lives Matter protests, holding a candle for young Cassius outside the Cairns Library, protesting climate inaction during UNESCO's visit to Cairns, speaking to victims of crime who gathered outside the Cairns Convention Centre during the Queensland Parliamentary visit and, the list goes on. Over the past four years, Shane Cuthbert has made quite the name for himself as a community leader and advocate.
On Indigenous Rights, The Cairns Regional Council recently voted down a reconciliation plan becuase of references to 'the Voice' and 'Path to Treaty'. This, a Council with the largest percentage of First Nations Peoples in any other Council area throughout Queensland. Shane Cuthbert, as part of a NEW Cairns Regional Council will support a reconciliation plan.
Speaking publicly at the St Vincent De Paul Societies CEO Sleepout and Lifeline's Out of the Shadows, suicide prevention events last year, Shane says that "through volunteering, individuals have the power to help themselves whilst helping others", a powerful statement. Shane Cuthberts commitment to volunteering in communities spans more than 20 years.
Shane Cuthbert has been heavily supportive of the greater Cairns community, standing side by side with indigenous leaders during Black Lives Matter protests, holding a candle for young Cassius outside the Cairns Library, protesting climate inaction during UNESCO's visit to Cairns, speaking to victims of crime who gathered outside the Cairns Convention Centre during the Queensland Parliamentary visit and, the list goes on. Over the past four years, Shane Cuthbert has made quite the name for himself as a community leader and advocate.
On Indigenous Rights, The Cairns Regional Council recently voted down a reconciliation plan becuase of references to 'the Voice' and 'Path to Treaty'. This, a Council with the largest percentage of First Nations Peoples in any other Council area throughout Queensland. Shane Cuthbert, as part of a NEW Cairns Regional Council will support a reconciliation plan.
Recently, Councillor Rob Pyne critisized the Council appointment of Division 4 Councillor Terry James as Mayor following the resignation of former Mayor Bob Manning without a by-election.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds has put his hand up to become interim Mayor over the next three months in order to prevent a Unity team majority boost in the polls come elections in March.
Current Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne says a caretaker Mayor should be appointed for the next three months, someone who is not running as a potential Mayor in fairness. He says, the appointment of Terry James as Mayor would be an unfair advantage for the Unity team to have.
Current Division 2 Councillor Rob Pyne says a caretaker Mayor should be appointed for the next three months, someone who is not running as a potential Mayor in fairness. He says, the appointment of Terry James as Mayor would be an unfair advantage for the Unity team to have.