Council Member Profile

QUARTERLY COLUMN

May 2026

Community Spirit

As a councillor, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we handle uncertainty. With the sale of the steelworks still in process and the blast furnace facing more challenges, many families are feeling the weight of it all. It’s a familiar story for our city, but one that calls on us to show real leadership right now.

Leadership in our community isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about staying steady when things feel shaky and helping others do the same. We’ve faced big transitions before and every time we’ve come through by backing ourselves and each other. In my opinion, the key is keeping spirits high even when the road ahead isn’t clear.

I’m constantly inspired by the way locals start something from nothing. Whether it’s a new small business, a community garden, a sports program for kids or a support group for those doing it tough, these ideas often begin with very little except determination. Right now, that same spirit matters more than ever. When one door feels stuck, we can quietly open others. I’ve seen residents turn worry into action, and those efforts are what will carry Whyalla forward, no matter what happens with the steelworks.

We can’t control every headline or every technical issue at the plant, but we can control how we treat one another. A smile costs nothing, yet it can lift someone’s day when times feel uncertain. A quick chat at the shops, a kind word to a mate who’s anxious about work, or simply checking in on a neighbour, these small acts remind us we’re in this together. And that we have more in common than separates us.

So let’s keep the faith! Whyalla has always been a city of resilient, hardworking people who don’t give up!

Our job is to back the innovators, support local businesses and jobs where we can, and make sure no one feels alone in the uncertainty.

We’ll get through this chapter the same way we’ve handled every challenge, with practical leadership, fresh ideas that many times will start from scratch and plenty of those free smiles that say “we’ve got this.”

Together, we’re stronger than any setback or uncertainty.

I believe in you!

Previous columns:

November 2025

Stepping Up: The Realities of Community Leadership in Whyalla

To every emerging local leader reading this: Whyalla needs you!

The decisions we make in the next ten years will shape our city for the next fifty!

Being elected to Whyalla City Council is one of the greatest honours of my life, but I won’t pretend that it’s been easy. The challenges hit you the moment you sit at the council table, budgets that never stretch far enough, residents rightly demanding better roads, parks and services and the constant juggling of immediate issues with long-term vision.

The hard reality is that not every decision leaves everyone happy, despite the significant discussion and consideration that each person in the process commits to. You learn quickly that leadership isn’t about being liked; it’s about being fair, listening hard, and having the courage to make the tough calls. Yet, for every difficult conversation and those nervous moments before I speak in the council chamber, there have been many moments that have left an indelible mark on my heart.

It’s the pensioner who shakes your hand because the new footpath finally lets her ride her gopher to the shops safely, its watching kids tear across a freshly turfed oval or test the durability of the new play equipment we fought to fund. It’s the quiet pride when a new industry chooses to seriously consider Whyalla because they believe in the city we’re building together. These are the joys that refill the tank when you’re running on empty. Leadership in a regional city like ours is intensely personal; people know you; they stop you at the supermarket and check in on you when you haven’t been active on Facebook for a few months…and that accountability keeps you moving forward.

Looking ahead, I’m genuinely excited about Whyalla’s future! Who wouldn’t be?!

The Federal and State Governments’ commitment to the transformation of the steelworks, renewed interest in Whyalla as a destination to live and raise a family and the renewable energy projects on our doorstep are creating opportunities we haven’t seen in decades! There’s real potential for us to become a city that makes things again, clean things, future-focused things. Obviously, some things are out of all of our control, but one thing is guaranteed; none of this will reach its full potential without strong, continuing community leadership. And that comes down to everyone who calls Whyalla home.

That’s why I’m particularly passionate about encouraging new voices to step forward. We need more young parents, tradies, teachers, nurses, business owners, community advocates and recent arrivals to put their hands up; whether it’s joining a community board, speaking at council or one day running for election. The learning curve is steep, but the support is there. Council offers mentoring, training and the chance to work alongside people who’ve been serving this community for years. I started with more enthusiasm than experience but what mattered was a willingness to listen, learn and work hard.

Thank you for reading this far.

Don’t wait until you feel “ready”—none of us did. Step up, develop your skills, surround yourself with good people and commit to serving something bigger than yourself. The challenges are tough, but I believe that WE are tougher than our challenges.

This city gave me a chance to make a difference; soon it will also be your turn.

August 2025

Small choices, big impact: Whyalla’s path to a healthier, happier community

Let’s face it Whyalla, life moves fast! Between work, family and the occasional craving for a schnitty at the footy club, it’s easy to put our health on the backburner. But what if I told you that a few cheeky little proactive lifestyle choices, ones you can make right now at zero cost, could spark an immediate boost to your wellbeing and make our community shine brighter than a Whyalla sunrise?

Buckle up, because these small tweaks are the ultimate investment in you and our community.

We’ve seen wellness initiatives pop up like community yoga sessions at Ada Ryan Gardens, the 2022 and 2023 Whyalla Wellness Weekend, walking groups at the wetlands, foreshore walks and those heart-pumping fun runs (massive nod to the Harriers and the volunteers at the Whyalla parkrun)!!!!

I’ll keep waving the flag for these events, but here’s the kicker – you don’t need a council event or a gym membership to start living better. The power’s in your hands, and it starts today.

Take movement, for starters. No, I’m not suggesting you sprint laps up and down Hummock Hill (unless you’re keen!). But how about a 10-minute stroll along the foreshore? Wave to a neighbour, soak in the foreshore breeze, and bam, you’ve boosted your mood and heart health. Studies show even short bursts of walking lower stress and spark creativity. Plus, when you’re out and about, you’re further weaving the social fabric of Whyalla tighter. That’s community magic, no wallet required.

Next up, let’s talk food. I’m not here to guilt-trip you about that late-night servo pie (we’ve all been there). Instead, try a tiny swap. Grab an apple before you head out or chuck some veggies in your next spag bog. These micro-choices stack up, fuelling your body with nutrients that make you feel like you could out-swim a dolphin and win. Local green markets like the one at the Rec Centre on a Saturday morning are goldmines for local, fresh, affordable produce. Supporting them keeps our economy humming.

Mental health matters too and Whyalla’s clearly no stranger to tough days. A free, instant game-changer? Pause for a five-minute breather. Find a quiet spot, focus on your breath, and let the worries slip away like sand through your fingers. Or call a mate for a yarn—connection is medicine. These moments recharge you and ripple outward, making you a calmer, kinder neighbour.

Whyalla’s wellness initiatives have laid the groundwork, but the real revolution happens when we choose health daily. Take a walk, smile at a stranger or pick up a piece of litter. These acts are like compound interest – small deposits that grow into a thriving you and a vibrant community too!

One proactive choice today, no cost, no excuses. Your health’s worth it and our town’s ready to glow. What’s your first move?

March 2025

Whyalla captured my heart!

Whyalla is known for its high-quality exports. In 2009 I stumbled upon the best export that Whyalla has ever produced…and I married her🤗 My wife, Joanne Young, and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary this November and what an adventure it has been!

After frequent visits to see family and enjoy the Whyalla Show, we decided to make Whyalla our forever home in 2017 with our three young kids. Shortly after moving, we became foster carers to three more beautiful souls, who I could talk all day long about, and remained eager to contribute to the community.

Being elected to council was an incredible honour and my appreciation of the community’s trust in me has never been more apparent. As the current Deputy Mayor, I'm committed to serving our community with three core principles in mind: listening, leading and lifting others up.

I want to hear from you, understand your concerns, and work together with you to build a brighter future for Whyalla.

I want to lead boldly. Democracy means most times there will be some who love my approach and some who don’t. In any case, I will never stop striving to make the best long-term decisions for Whyalla’s future with the best information I can gather at that time.

And the third principle is I will always lift others up. Community leadership is about ‘we’ not ‘me’.  If I can be a mirror and amplify the light that so many beautiful people in our community shine, then we truly will have a bright future.

As a husband and father, I know what it means to care deeply about the place you call home. My family is my everything, and I'm passionate about creating a safe, thriving environment for every family in Whyalla.

With my background in commercial negotiations, I want to see all industries and businesses in Whyalla thrive and I believe local young families will play a pivotal role in making this a reality.

My experience in organising community events has shown me the power of collaboration and the importance of bringing people together to share ideas and information. If you have an idea for an event or project that can benefit our community, I'm eager to support you and work together to make it happen.

As your representative, I promise to approach every challenge and opportunity with the same love and care that I have for my own family. Whether it's fixing buckled curbing, explaining council functions, or discussing big ideas, I'm here to listen, learn, and work side-by-side with you.

So, let's get to work Whyalla! Let's build a community that's driven by your ideas, your passion, and your commitment to making our city an amazing place to live. And if you ever need me, you know where to find me – just look for the guy with the big family and the even bigger smile 😃