Election candidates in focus | Felicity Haynes

I taught for over thirty years at the University of Western Australia and am still involved in teaching philosophy to children, and training teachers to teach philosophy as well.

I founded the Association of Philosophy in Schools (WA) (APIS for short) in 1987.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my last four years in Council learning more about this place.

I think I have succeeded in bringing about a sharper focus on the environment, increasing communication with the community and raising the level of debate at council meetings.

There's still more work to do to make the community more engaged with Council and to make Council more adaptive to context and inclusive.

I would like the community to be more engaged with council processes, and to do that they need to be encouraged to participate in those processes more. 

Conduct more open forums on civic matters, like the CUSP seminars or the energy open forum which resulted in the community asking for local renewable energy;  

Encourage more community groups to take on community activities like community art, weeding and planting in parks create public picnic areas playgrounds ,entertainment in public places.

Population growth and increasing rates.

I don't know what we can do to stop increased tourism. We're a fabulous town and our businesses enjoy the visitors.

But the increasing costs of housing and therefore rentals will naturally deter anyone other than rich people coming down here to live.

The facilities (Library, Cultural Centre, Recreation Centre,beaches, parks) are fantastic for such a small population, but we have to increase rates in the face of demanding and growing population, increased regulative impositions by a state government (Ie with waste) and declining government financial support (eg no more Royalties for Regions) 

I have retired from full time work, so although farmwork is demanding, and my voluntary work with various community groups takes up a lot of time, it is all my choice, and I find the council work rewarding, not onerous.

I have sufficient integrity not to worry too much what people think of me, and am glad to help where I can.

I began to write about our wonderful natural environment here - relaxed natural bush, beaches, the river, but what really gives me contentment is the friendliness of my community, mostly of intelligent and independent women of my age who take delight in celebrating life together.

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