As a passionate advocate for our community, I ran as an independent candidate for Division 7 in the 2024 Gold Coast council election. While I narrowly missed out on securing the position, the experience was incredible and strengthened my commitment to the community I’m so proud to call home.
Ongoing community engagement
My continued role as a community advocate allows me to channel my passion for connecting people, supporting local groups, and fostering positive change across our neighbourhoods. Whether it’s serving on committees, volunteering, helping local community groups, or providing a platform for residents to engage with one another, I am dedicated to strengthening the community we all call home.
I am actively involved in several initiatives:
Labrador 4215: As the administrator of the Labrador 4215 Facebook community group, which now has almost 11,000 members, I’ve created a space for residents to connect, share resources, and stay informed. This platform continues to be an invaluable hub for addressing local issues.
Animal Welfare League Qld Leadership: As a committee member of the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ) board, I am proud to advocate for the welfare of animals across the state. My connection with AWLQ began in 2016 through my ecommunity event Paws at the Park, which has raised over $70,000 for AWLQ, and I remain dedicated to supporting the charity and promoting responsible pet ownership in our city.
Cycling Without Age Gold Coast: I’m thrilled to serve on the committee of this wonderful organisation, which provides free trishaw rides to elderly residents and people with disabilities. Each month, I volunteer as a pilot, experiencing firsthand the joy and connection that Cycling Without Age brings to the community.
Labrador State School P&C: As Secretary of the P&C, I work together with a group of committed parents and guardians to fundraise and organise events that benefit students and the wider community. I have been proud to coordinate Labrador’s Christmas market event since 2022.
Mental Health Advocacy: In my professional role with Black Dog Institute, I work in communications with a focus on suicide prevention. I’m also an Executive Member of the Gold Coast Suicide Prevention Collaborative, where I have helped launch citywide initiatives like Gold Coast Wellbeing Week.
These experiences have allowed me to collaborate with a wide range of people and groups to make a tangible difference across the Gold Coast.
The 2024 Election
In the 2024 local government election, I ran as a truly independent candidate for Division 7. On election night, I was just 62 votes behind first place, and I won both Labrador booths! After an agonising two-week wait, the result came down to the wire. I’m incredibly proud of my grassroots campaign – mostly led by local mums with little to no campaign experience. In the end I received almost 47% of the vote after preference distributions. Competing so closely against a well-oiled machine was absolutely mind-blowing and a testament to the power of community. While I just missed out on winning the election, the experience only strengthened my commitment to serving our area. The relationships I built and the issues raised during the campaign continue to drive my advocacy work today.
Moving forward post-election
Whether I’m advocating for green space, helping a local group secure funding, or supporting residents through my community platforms, my focus remains on creating a more inclusive, connected, and liveable city.
If you’d like to support my efforts or get involved in making a difference, I’d love to hear from you!
Please get in touch on my Facebook page.