Election candidates in focus | Julia Meldrum

I come from a family of original settlers in Manjimup. My background includes agriculture predominately from my childhood spent working on the family farms, through to my university education at Curtin Uni and Charles Sturt studying Viticulture.

In more recent years I have been working with local small businesses as a bookkeeper and accounts manager. I am heavily involved in the community being an active participant in several community groups.

I am the Cowaramup Junior Football Club president, co-ordinator of the Cowaramup Junior Tennis, previous Treasurer/Registrar of the Cowaramup BMX Club. member of the FOFB (Friends of Flinders Bay), member of Augusta Margaret River Clean Community Energy, committee member of the Augusta Margaret River Sport and Recreation Advisory committee and member of the LDAG (local drug action group).

My family and I have recently returned from housesitting in Europe for a year. This was a fabulous year of cultural education throughout Europe and what we have seen happening around Europe in terms of recycling, sustainable energy production, 'locavore' living and strength and support in communities, has really confirmed to me that the future of our Shire, or of our country really can head in a positive direction if the right stuff is happening at the first point of governance - Local Government.  

Putting the power back to the people is a movement happening worldwide.

As mentioned above - putting the power back to the people and having community needs fairly represented and increased community participation in council decisions is why I am running for council.

I support a grass-roots approach to the operation of council. I strongly believe a balanced council is a diverse council. 

Equality of expenditure across the Shire; north, middle, south (Augusta), coastal and rural is an issue. 

Expenditure across ALL the shire must be carefully considered in the annual budget.

Fair consideration for the smaller towns/areas, community groups and rural areas can be achieved by increasing community involvement in the budgeting process. 

The Main Street redevelopment - I believe there must be thorough community consultation and involvement into how we shape the mainstreet of MR into the future. Maintaining the character of the town is very important. 

Waste management – maintaining the arterial transfer stations (keeping them open) is important to service the needs of the rural communities. 

I also intend to look at the efficiency of the current recycling contract, waste education and possible improvements in green waste recycling/community composting viability. 

I am an honest person with integrity, am organised and a multi-tasker and will listen to all the different points of view from our diverse community members.

I know I will not be able to please everyone all the time, but I will listen to and look after my community. I do believe the council must represent the people of the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and that workload, I will be able to deal with. 

The natural beauty that surrounds us - beaches, forests, caves, birds and wildlife!

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