Rhonda Sorensen's Blog

I want to thank all the good people of this community

2008-03-14T11:57:00.004+10:00

This is a time of transformational change for our region, and by now, the Tablelands Regional Council will be a reality. You will have chosen a new Mayor and divisional Councillor to represent you as a fresh future is shaped for a united Tablelands region.

I want to thank all the good people of this community who showed faith in my ability to be your representative and voted for me. The election campaign period was a very busy time, a great learning curve. I enjoyed getting around the area meeting new people, and catching up with many people I hadn’t seen for ages. I had so much fun – I love great conversations about things that really matter.

Some of the most special people I have ever met live here in this community. Each town, village and district has its own complex interconnections that make it work. This is truly a special region, and the people have the passion, ideas and combined knowledge to make this a vibrant healthy and prosperous community.

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate)

Meet the candidate

2008-03-09T13:12:00.002+10:00

	8am – 10am	11am – 1pm	4pm – 6pm
Tuesday 11^th March	Malanda Bakery	Jaggan Hall	Malanda Spar Supermarket 7.30pm Malanda Show Pavillion
Wednesday 12^th March	Millaa Millaa Takeaway and Newsagency	Tobin’s Store Millaa Millaa	Tarzali Round Yard
Thursday 13^th March	7.30 – 8.30am Yungaburra Food Market	Lake Eacham Roadhouse	4-5pm Lake Eacham Caravan Park Café 6-8pm Peeramon Hotel
Friday 14^th March	Butchers Ck Hall	Malanda Spar Supermarket	Malanda RSL

“It’s about community…”

2008-03-09T12:39:00.007+10:00

The Tablelands Regional Council becomes a reality this weekend. This is a time of transformational change for our region.

My catchphrase is “It’s about community”
- Local government is not about the candidates
- It’s not about politics
- It’s about you

Whoever you choose to represent you, you need to understand that
- You are the people with the passion
- You are the people with the ideas
- You are the people with the combined knowledge to make this a vibrant, healthy and prosperous rural community.

As a natural facilitator, I am not biased towards any particular group. I like to stay open to understanding each person and each stakeholder group.

As a scientist I am a natural researcher. I have a particular interest in people and the complex interconnections that make a community work.

As your councilor l need the community to keep me grounded. I will seek both advice and aid from you. As we move into the new supercouncil – I want you to be my grounders – give me the straight talk – keep it real.

I really hope you give me the opportunity to be your representative, your councilor as we shape the future of this community together.

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”

The new Tablelands Regional Council - three of the major concerns

2008-02-28T09:25:00.004+10:00

While out and about, three of the major concerns I hear from you are:

Will the new super council buy anything locally?

I have been attending the local Transition Committee meetings, and I can report that most systems will be very functional, although not perfect, for the new Tablelands Regional Council to continue business as usual on 17th March. There will be a lot of new policies and recommendations for the new council to consider.

A new “Procurement Policy” is being written and it supports buying from local businesses. It includes a “local buy” percentage range so the council worker needing a part in Ravenshoe does not have to make a dash to the central store in say Mareeba. It makes all sorts of sense to buy locally and keep the money circulating in our small towns.

Will projects like sewerage in Malanda continue to go ahead?

The Malanda sewerage project has been promised by Eacham Shire Council and monies have been set aside for this project. However, this planned use can be overturned by the new council. I am committed to bringing sewerage to Malanda at minimal cost, and will push for this project to be honoured by the new council.

Will there be a regional bias towards Mareeba?

Take the opportunity to assess the Mayoral candidates for yourselves. Two important public forum events are on this week: Wednesday 5th March, 7.30pm at Malanda Show Pavillion, and Thursday 6th March, 7pm at Millaa Millaa Hotel.

Whichever part of the tablelands he comes from, the Mayor is the leader of our Tablelands Regional Council. Like the Prime Minister, the new Mayor will decide where he sets up the Mayor’s office, and he will have a lot of influence over which direction the new local government takes.

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”

Clarify a few questions for Division 3 voters

2008-02-24T19:25:00.003+10:00

On March 15^th you will have to choose a new councilor and a new mayor to represent you on the Tablelands Regional Council for the next four years. Although we may not have wanted it, the new super council will replace the Eacham, Atherton, Herberton and Mareeba Shire Councils on that day. Voting day is just over two weeks away now, and I am finding that a lot of people are still very confused about the whole process, so I decided to devote this column to helping clarify a few questions for Division 3 voters.

Which division am I in?

All Eacham Shire residents will now be in either Division 3 or Division 4 of the new Tablelands Regional Council. Eacham Times has agreed to print the map of the whole region showing all 8 divisions this week. More detailed maps of Division 3 and Division 4 will be printed in this section before the election. All electors should soon receive a letter from the Electoral Commission to inform them which division they are in and where and how they can vote. Check which electorate you are in www.ecq.qld.gov.au

Where do I go to vote?

Division 3 voters will be able to vote at Millaa Millaa and Malanda State Schools. They may also use the Yungaburra School polling booth. You may qualify for a Postal Vote, Electoral Visit Vote, or a Pre Polling Vote. More information is available from Eacham Shire Council office in Malanda, Post Offices, QGAP office or the Electoral Commission website www.ecq.qld.gov.au

How do I contact the new council with concerns?

Tablelands Regional Council will come into existence on 15^th March. All of the current council offices, and the employees will continue to be available to help with any matters that come up after the election. Ian Church, interim CEO of Tablelands Regional Council, will insert a list of all necessary phone numbers in the Tablelander and Advertiser in the next couple of weeks. 1300 numbers may be available when the new phone systems are installed.

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”

Fair and equitable council decision making

2008-02-10T11:46:00.000+10:00

Over half of the residents of the current Eacham Shire live outside the towns. This means that there is huge numbers of families and people who have to continually use their cars to get anywhere. If there were a structured system of bikeways and walkways, people could choose to leave their cars in the garage and ride into town, or to their friends place. A dad from out towards Lake Eacham explained that it is the safety of riding on the roads that worries him. It is so necessary on many fronts to have safe walk/ bikeways around our towns.

As your elected councillor I will fiercely promote fair and equitable council decision making for all division 3 communities. The new Tablelands Regional Council will need a strong united vision, supported by clear thinking strategies and action plans. We need intelligent considered decisions on matters that council is directly responsible for like local roads, water, sewerage, rubbish, parks, public spaces and halls.

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”

It’s about community…

2008-02-08T11:25:00.000+10:00

I was speaking to someone living out near the Maallan and she was saying how great it is to have the shops in Millaa Millaa. She talked about how easy it is to nip in there to get fuel or supplies and that it would be a real shame if the town was left to slowly die.

It is so important to help pioneer towns like Millaa Millaa retain their character, and return to playing an important role in the district. Millaa Millaa has a robust community who care strongly about their town. You only have to look at the number of Australia Day awards that went to the good people of Millaa Millaa last week.

I am putting my hand up to represent this area in the new supercouncil. I want to make sure that Millaa Millaa and our smaller communities like Tarzali, Butchers Creek, Jaggan and Topaz are never forgotten.

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”

Listening and Learning

2008-01-25T17:47:00.000+10:00

50 DAYS TO ELECTION DAY – March 15th.
Electoral Roll closes 31st January
www.ecq.qld.gov.au to check enrollment

I am out there listening and learning as much as I can as quickly as I can.

People are confused and anxious about how the new super shire will operate and the forthcoming elections. The positive benefits we gain during this transition period could last a long time. The quality of our life in the future will be determined by the quality of the decisions made during this time. I am always open to a good conversation, and will get around and talk with many of you over the coming weeks.

Regards Rhonda --------- A positive future as one region

“Authorised R J Sorensen 122 Anderson Road, Malanda for R J Sorensen (Candidate).”

Profile - Rhonda Sorensen

2008-01-20T22:57:00.000+10:00

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).”

Standing for Tablelands Regional Council

2008-01-20T22:54:00.000+10:00

“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).”