Who are Murray Bridge’s council candidates in 2022?
Find out who's running for mayor and councillor jobs at this year's local government election.
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The 17 locals who will compete for 10 spots on the Murray Bridge council at this year’s election have been revealed.
Two candidates will compete to succeed the retiring Brenton Lewis as mayor: his current deputy, Wayne Thorley, and community leader Dawn Matthews.
Mr Thorley, a farmer by trade, had announced his intention to run in July, saying that the council was going well and that a steady hand was needed.
Ms Matthews had hinted at the possibility back in May, on the back of her fearless advocacy, charity work and leadership within the Maori community.
Meanwhile, 15 candidates will seek election to the nine other seats at the council table.
Eight will aim to get voted in for the first – or, in at least one case, second – time:
- Tom Haig, a wedding celebrant also known for his work at the Murraylands Migrant Resource Centre
- Lisa Courtney, lead clinician at the Murray Mallee GP Network
- Jean-Marie Uwihoreye, a community organiser who is passionate about compassion
- Liam Richardson, a farrier from Monarto
- Josephine O’Toole, a Rockleigh resident interested in council transparency
- Mel McInerney, an anti-domestic violence campaigner who founded local charity DVINA
- Monica Perrett, a foster carer and advocate known for her campaign to get “Finn’s Law” through state parliament
- Jagtar Singh, a former Thomas Foods worker and Punjabi community leader
The other seven candidates currently sit on the council:
- Fred Toogood, a retired businessman, Rotarian and advocate for health services
- Karen Eckermann, animal rights advocate and social conscience of the current elected group
- Andrew Baltensperger, office shop manager, Department of Infrastructure and Transport botherer and ideas man
- Clem Schubert, a farmer who has been on the council for almost 25 years
- John DeMichele, a real estate agent and businessman
- Mat O’Brien, a former prison officer and Labor election candidate now advising a state MP
- Airlie Keen, a political staffer and former soccer referee whose independent campaign unsettled Liberal MP Adrian Pederick at this year’s state election
Only Tyson Matthews, who resigned in July after moving out of the district, will not seek re-election.
The candidates’ names were drawn out of a box, one by one, to determine the order in which they will appear on voters’ ballot papers at the Murray Bridge council office on Tuesday afternoon.
For what it’s worth, Mr Haig scored top spot among the council candidates, while Mr Singh ended up in 15th place.
Ballot papers will be posted to voters between October 14 and 20.
Voters will need to return them by 5pm on November 10 if they want to have their say in this year’s council elections.
Votes will be counted on November 12.
More to come.
- More information: www.ecsa.sa.gov.au.
Clarification: Murray Bridge News edited Ms O’Toole’s description at her request.
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