About Karen May

I'm Karen May and I'm running for Mayor.

Many people don't realise that the Mayor's job is to lead and motivate the council into serving the regions people in the best possible way.

One of the major difficulties involved is overseeing the budget. Balancing the incomings with the outgoings is par for the course.

Determining how rate payers cash is spent is in the hands of the council and it's the Mayors job to lead this process and guide the team of councillors down the right route. That often means having an 'íron hand in a velvet glove' approach. People see me as quiet yet I know exactly what I am doing and what I want to achieve. And I do!

With 12 years experience in local government, having held the position of Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor as part of the Sarina Shire Council, I already know our region's government both inside and out.

My husband John works for Queensland Rail and together we own the Eagle Boys Pizza Franchise in Sarina. We opened the store in 2004. Before that we owned the Sarina Motor Inn and Hideaway Restaurant for 5 ½ Years.

Having been a householder, housewife, business owner and councillor means that I have the right experience in balancing 'the books'. All those years of studying bookkeeping, business management, computerised financial systems and running my own successful business were not in vain.

I do not tolerate wasting money, whether its my own or yours!

I understand the financial processes involved in council. I know the talents of our councillors and staff, and I know how to engage these talents for our common purpose.

Public service is something I enjoy and strongly believe in and I have been involved in school and community organisations for many, many years.

Of course having left school in year 10, I realised later that I needed to further my education. So I took myself off to Milton Street High nightschool to get my Senior Cert. After which, I went on to study Business Management, Computerised Financial Systems,Community Development Methods and Creative Volunteering.

This ease of access to education is a priority for us all.

My husband John and I have lived here for 28 years and my son Greg, now 24, went to school right here. Growing up my parents instilled in me a good set of values such as; honesty, respect, a strong work ethic and public service which is a must.

Along the way, I also learned that what matters most, is making a real difference in people's lives and that means being prepared to deal with the tough issues as well.

I learned that you usually get more done when you work with people than when you fight with them. I learned that what matters, is not your name, but what you get done.

During my time in Local Government I have been heavily involved in Disaster Management and been able to study and participate in Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements, Member Induction and Emergency Management for Local Government.

I currently represent council on numerous State Government, Council and Community Committees and I hold the position of Patron for the Sarina and District Historical Centre, Mackay City Band, Kucom Theatre and the Queensland Cancer Council Sarina Relay for Life.

I stand for Mayor based on my record of community-based public service and I am committed to improving the quality of the lives of everyone who lives in our great region.

I have the experience, I will get the job done.
I am ready to serve as your Mayor.

I ask that you vote for me and entrust me with this great responsibility.

Karen May