First Candidates Nominate

THE first two people to nominate for the Council elections on September 10 are James Burns from Scone and Liam Garment from Merriwa.

We spoke to both candidates to find out why they want to run for Council.

James Burns

James Burns grew up in Scone and at the age of 18 moved away to join the military.

He was in the navy for eight years, but when he started a family of his own he moved back to Scone and now works as a miner.

Mr Burns said he decided to run because he wants young families represented on Council.

“We have two children, Oliver and Milicent, we are active in sport around the town and we try and help out where can in the community; my wife is on the P&C for St Mary’s and is involved with local fundraising for youth mental health,” said Mr Burns.

“While we are really busy as a young family as the old saying goes, ‘if you want something done, give it to a busy person’ and I think it is important to be doing all you can in the local community,” he said.

“My focus will be listening and giving a new ear to the people of all ages.

“I’ve also done some work for TransCare and I enjoyed getting to talk to older people and pensioners in our community and the things that concern them.

“I also hear many people’s concerns about the bypass and I think we now need to focus on life after the bypass and doing all we can to ensure the town thrives and grows,” he said.

“The other issue that people are telling me is important to them is youth mental health and it is something that is close to my heart; it is especially important in rural Australia and we need to work together to have greater awareness of the issue and ensure our children have access to all the support and education they need,” James Burns said.

Liam Garment

Liam Garment lives in Merriwa and owns a local cafe.

Before owning and operating the cafe Mr Garment was the tourism officer for Merriwa and enjoyed promoting the local area.

Mr Garment’s work has also worked for Centrelink, Job Network, in community services and for small businesses.

Mr Garment said he decided to run for Council because he wanted the smaller towns in the Shire to have a bigger voice.

“The main reason was to see a bigger focus on the smaller townships and businesses, it’s time to do something and make them stronger,” said Mr Garment.

“And I’m at an age now where I think people of my generation need to step up and say what they want for the community,” he said.

“You can’t just sit at home and be critical if you’re not prepared to do anything about it, I’d like to see more accountability in local government to the community,” he said.

“We need to try to help promote local businesses, so that young people have an option to stay and work locally instead of having to leave the area; we should be growing employment in these areas.

“We also live on some of the best agricultural land in Australia and we need to support our local produce, support our local farmers and support our local communities; supporting local businesses makes for stronger communities.

“I want to represent the everyday person, because that is what I am, I’ve always had to work hard for my money and to make ends meet, working seven days a week with my small business and that is where I am coming from.

“I’ve just put on two full time trainees under the federal government trainee scheme and I’d like to use that time to be on Council and focus on the community,” he said.

I love my town where I live and I love my rural community, I want to make it a better place for the young people and not just for their future, but their children too,” Liam Garment said.

Nominations for Council close on August 10.