RETIRING Tablelands councillor Shaaron Linwood has lived her life in public following the words of wisdom from a well respected former mayor.
“A pat on the back is just a few vertebrae short of a kick in the rear but there is a world of difference” – offered by then Isaac Regional Council Mayor Cedric Marshall has resonated with the 16-year local government veteran ever since she heard it at a forum shortly after council amalgamation in Queensland in 2008.
“My home town St Lawrence was in the Broadsound Shire and it was one of the amalgamated councils,” Cr Linwood said.
“He said that pearler at a workshop in the early days of amalgamation at a local government conference in a discussion about the way they were consulting the community on the community plan that the then Labor Government was demanding of councils.
“It’s a beauty.”
On Saturday, Cr Linwood will close the book on a 16-year career in local government which began in 2008 with her election as the councillor for the former Herberton Shire. She was one of nine councillors.
When Atherton, Eacham and Herberton shires amalgamated in 2008 she was again elected but this time the job in front appeared at times insurmountable due to the large geographical area.
“When I was elected into the amalgamated Tablelands Regional Council I became one person covering a division which took in the whole of the former Herberton Shire area, plus a large area of the former Mareeba Shire area out to the Mt Surprise border and just south of Chillagoe,” Cr Linwood said.
She rates seeing the realisation of the Afghanistan Avenue of Honour at Yungaburra as a highlight among many.
“As the mother of an Afghanistan veteran, being there right from the start to get the very moving and beautiful Afghanistan Avenue of Honour memorial established to honour all the young men who gave their lives in the Afghanistan campaign,” Cr Linwood said. “The Avenue is true sacred ground and its dignified serenity is a place to bring renewed hope to the hurting and added strength for all their tomorrows.
“Representing the people of the Tablelands and meeting so many lovely people and being able to help them with their issues and make the Tablelands a better place are the highlights.”
Cr Linwood intends to travel for 12 months, with a trip to France the first cab off the rank.
“There is a whole new blank canvas waiting to be painted,” she said.
“To those who are elected, a few words of wisdom that I have always tried to follow, given to me by a couple of long serving and wise old councillors – remember who put you there; have the courage to say yes to your enemies and no to your friends, and value your staff.
“To those out there who have offered me so much friendship and support over the years, I am truly humbled to have been able to serve you.
“To the wonderful staff of the TRC, it has been an incredible honour to work with such a fine group of people, who go above and beyond to work for positive outcomes for our communities.”
