Towong Shire Council election candidates

As a long-term resident of Towong Shire, I deeply appreciate the unique qualities of our community. My active involvement in various local groups has given me a valuable insight into the diverse concerns of our residents. I pride myself on being a good listener and am committed to advocating for your ideas and bringing your concerns to the forefront. I have served as a Towong Councillor for the past term, including the last year as Deputy Mayor. My experience spans the financial and medical industries, management, and successfully running my own small business. I bring a blend of professionalism and dedication to the role. I am hardworking, honest and approachable, eager to hear and address a wide range of views. If elected, my focus will be on enhancing communication between the Council and ratepayers. I will advocate for fair and balanced allocation of Council revenue, better project management, tighter budget controls, and improved infrastructure. Additionally, I aim to develop business opportunities and boost tourism in our Shire. Representing my community is a privilege I take seriously. I am committed to helping Towong Shire move forward and would be honoured to have your vote.

My name is Peter Tolsher, I have been a resident of Tallangatta since 1976. Having married a local Joanne who was the Libarian at Tallangatta for 35 years, we have two children and two grandchildren. My professional career spanned 40 years including a senior managers role at North East Water and retired in 2022. My dedication extended beyond my professional role, where I actively contributed to the Water Industry Operators Association as a voluntary board member for over 10 years. I was recognized for my service in 2017, honored with life membership of the national association. I’m an active member and volunteer of the Tallangatta Golf club, the Tallangatta Football club where l was also honored with life membership of the football club. l have previously served as a councilor of Towong Shire Council from 2016 – 2020. My influence on the council was marked by my passion for improving the local infrastructure and services, benefiting the community. I have dedication and loyalty to my community, have contributed across various sectors that includes past council and board experience giving me the required skills to represent our community. I would be an approachable and honest member of our local council if elected.

I have been a resident of Towong Shire for much of my life, dedicating the past twelve years to serving our community as a councillor. Our community has also reaped the benefits over the past four years with me advocating for the priorities of the Goulburn Ovens Murray region councils as a board director of the Municipal Association of Victoria. Alongside my wife, Jess, we are proud parents to four children – Sebastian, Ally, Mia, and Preston – and we call Dartmouth our home. I owned the Dartmouth Pub for close to two decades. I now work at Tallangatta Health Service and Tallangatta Butchers. My academic background includes studies in Law and Accounting. I have recently attained a Master of Business Administration, from the Australian Institute of Business - Foundations of Directorship, Australian Institute Company Directors, and - Project Management for Professionals, RMIT. Throughout my time at Towong Shire, substantial advancements have been made in improving infrastructure, sporting and recreational facilities, early childhood initiatives, economic development, and agricultural support. However, I am driven to achieve even more for our communities, and I seek your support to advance our collective goals further.

Hello, I'm Jon Pitman. My family and I have lived in Corryong for 23 years, my three sons growing up here. I ran a small carpentry business for fifteen years and now manage the civil maintenance team for Snowy Hydro. Community is very important to me. I have been involved with a number of community organisations including emergency services, Festivals and school committees, so have an understanding of the challenges volunteer organisations face. If successful, I will do my best to support our community organisations and to fairly represent the interests of residents from all towns and locations in the shire. I will also assist the mayor, councilors and the council management team to achieve the best outcomes for all. I would like to thank you all for supporting the future of our community.

I am nominating for re-election as a Councillor in the Towong Shire, where my wife Brenda and I have raised our four children on our family farm in Towong Upper. Having grown up in the Corryong area, I have always been deeply connected to this community. After completing school at Corryong College, I was a Mechanic for 30 years locally before focusing on my roles as a Councillor and farmer. I have been an active volunteer in our community for over 35 years with involvement in the CFA, Corryong Football Netball Club, Corryong Recreation Reserve Committee, Thrive, Upper Murray Beef Group and Bushfire Recovery Committees. I believe it is essential to continue advocating for our community, improving infrastructure, and creating safe spaces for all residents to live, work, and play. My experience on Council since 2016 has helped me navigate challenging times like the bushfires and COVID-19, and I remain committed to supporting Towong Shire's recovery and growth. I am passionate about ensuring that our region remains a vibrant and thriving place for future generations. With your support, I will continue to work hard to enhance local opportunities, improve community facilities, and advocate for sustainable growth in Towong Shire.

Picture Corryong and the Upper Murray in 10 to 15 years time. Picture our towns as bustling and thriving communities with business owners thriving and residents healthy and happy. The unforgivable and avoidable dramas of the streetscape makeover are a distant memory and the main street is now a welcoming space with lots of trees and greenery and spaces for people to stop and chat. The street alive with chatter and people going about their business, greeting each other with a nod and a smile. The old Consolidated School has been converted into a Entrepreneur and Youth space to accommodate new businesses moving to town. The sounds of life and energy buzz through the community and bring joy to locals and tourists alike. A steady daily stream of tourists visiting the Wetlands, Playles Hill and using the newly completed Mt Mittamatite gravel walking / riding track, ensuring local businesses maintain customer levels that ensure they stay viable and also that locals never have to wait in line. Long established businesses are now thriving, with new operators starting up in vibrant and exciting industries. Our community strategies moving forward need to be succinct, time stackable, waste free and without compromise.

In partnership with my wife, I manage a beef and sheep farm at Granya. We also operate and manage a School Bus Service to local Schools. I believe my 16 years of Council experience and knowledge of the whole Shire is valuable in developing Council Plans and Priorities. I am always aware that the decisions Council make impact individual lives and the communities we serve. If elected my focus will be on Prudent Financial Management, Infrastructure and Roads, Sustainable Council Services, Tourism, Business Development, Implementing the Review of the Planning Scheme and improving Internet and Mobile Phone coverage. We are experiencing growth in parts of the Shire and if I'm elected it will be my priority to develop strong plans for the infrastructure required to meet this growth. These plans will assist Council in applying for funding from State and Federal Governments to finance this vital infrastructure. I am always happy to listen to ideas and views from members of the community. In an un-subdivided Shire it is a great privilege to represent all residents and communities in the Shire. I am seeking your support to be re-elected to Council. Please consider me for your 1st, 2nd or 3rd vote.