MONICA Morse says her five-strong ticket for the Bathurst Regional Council election has been chosen to represent a wide cross-section of the local community.
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Cr Morse, who has been the only woman on council for the past five years, is running an above-the-line ticket for the first time after scraping onto council as the ninth and last councillor elected in 2012.
Last time round Cr Morse secured just 580 primary votes out of the 21,419 cast in the ballot and had to endure a tense week-long wait before finally having her place on council confirmed.
And with even more names expected on this year’s ballot paper, Cr Morse said it would be very hard for anyone to get elected without the support of a ticket.
“I am hearing there could be eight or nine tickets so it’s going to be more difficult than ever for anyone who wants to stand on their own,” she said.
“My ambition would be to get our top three onto council but we will just have to see how we go.”
Cr Morse had planned to retire from council but has been convinced to run again as a mentor for other women candidates.
Number 2 on her ticket will be Bathurst City Community Club manager Rebecca Mathie, who was last year named young business executive of the year as part of the Carillon Business Awards.
“This as an opportunity to make a difference, make a positive change and support our community,” she said.
“I think council is doing a good job but I think we need some new faces.
“I come from an events background and a community background so I want to see council attracting new and exciting events to the region but also promoting community programs for people with a disability and low income earners.”
Third on the ticket will be Janelle Lindsay who has recently returned to Bathurst to be closer to her family.
Ms Lindsay has a passion for sport and won a gold medal at the 2004 Paralympics as a pilot cyclist for Lindy Hou in the tandem cycling.
Charles Sturt University lecturer Donald Alexander will be number four and said he was supporting Cr Morse as he believed there needed to be greater diversity on council.
“Women are under-represented in all aspects of community and government so I’m all about raising awareness that women have a greater role to play,” he said.
Mr Alexander has been involved in many community events including Relay For Life and the National Cool Climate Wine Show.
Laura Cole is the youngest member of the ticket. She is currently studying at CSU and was Bathurst Young Citizen of the Year in 2014.
