Years of volunteer work on community projects and as Far North Queensland’s rural and regional communities’ officer has given Rhonda Sorensen insight into how vibrant and energetic rural Queensland communities can be.
Among the many projects she has worked on, Rhonda lists the highlights as being coordinator of Malanda Business Retention and Expansion, president and director of the inaugural Malanda Monsoon Festivals, foundation president of the Tablelands Business Women’s Network, and organiser of the Celebrity Hand Milking Competition at the Malanda Show. After Cyclone Larry, she helped many farmers, graziers and small business operators get essential services restored, and access government funding as part of the highly commended Dairy Recovery Team. Rhonda has also been a Ministerial Regional Community Forum member advising and lobbying state government on regional community issues.
Rhonda grew up on a cotton farm in central Queensland and except for a short stint in Brisbane to study has lived her whole adult life in rural Queensland. She first moved to Malanda in 1980 to take up the position as microbiology technician at the Malanda Milk Factory, progressing to Laboratory Manager Dairy Farmers. During the tough times of dairy deregulation Rhonda facilitated streamlining of the entire milk supply chain from farm to the consumer, maximising quality through the commitment of farmers and employees, and involved farmers in local community marketing campaigns.
Rhonda has a wealth of knowledge and broad experience in bio-science and business management, running her own planning and consulting business, share-farming, event management, facilitation and continuous improvement, media and community capacity building. She has amassed three university degrees including a Masters of Business Administration from James Cook University in 2002.
Rhonda said she is looking forward to working with all the communities across the new much larger Tablelands Regional Council. “People have genuine concern about the impact of local government reform, particularly on their quality of life, and the best way to counteract that is to ensure we are in there seeking information, analyzing and shaping the future”
“Genuine people who love where they live and are passionate about making their little piece of paradise even better are a joy to work with,” she said.
Rhonda is putting her hand up to represent Division 3 which includes Millaa Millaa, the Maalan, Mungalli, Tarzali, Jaggan, Malanda, Topaz, Butchers Creek, Peeramon, Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine.
"I hope communities will see me as a strong capable representative who will work hard to create a prosperous sustainable future as one vibrant cohesive Tablelands Region.”
“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”
