Photographer Max Walters, Cr Cheryl Dalton and Mayor Wayne Kratzmann at today’s South Burnett Council meeting 

July 17, 2013

Councillor Cheryl Dalton bid a fond – and at times, tearful – farewell at today’s monthly South Burnett Regional Council meeting.

Cr Dalton confirmed last month that she intended to retire from her position as the elected representative for Division 6 at the July meeting.

She has had a 16-year career in local government  … 11 years as a Kingaroy Shire councillor, and the last five with the South Burnett Regional Council.

Council has applied for a by-election to fill Cr Dalton’s position.  They have requested that a postal ballot be held on September 7 in Division 6, and are now awaiting a response from Local Government Minister David Crisafulli.

A large crowd of relatives, friends and supporters attended the council meeting to support the Cr Dalton as she gave a valedictory address to the chamber, (see below), which was met with applause.

Councillors then rose one after another to praise the popular councillor, recounting how much they’d enjoyed working with her despite sometimes heated disagreements on particular policy issues; how extensive her knowledge of the region and planning matters was; and how much they’d all come to rely on her as a valued colleague and friend.

Cr Dalton was then presented with a special gift prepared by South Burnett photographer Max Walters – a framed montage of photos that he’d shot around Division 6.

“If you’ve ever seen Cheryl’s house you’ll know that finding any gift that would fit in it would be hard,” Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said.

“But we’re sure she’ll have a bit of wall space somewhere where this will fit.”

Cr Keith Campbell said that of everyone in the room, he’d probably worked with Cr Dalton the longest because of his previous position on Kingaroy Shire Council.

“It’s been a real pleasure working with you and I’m grateful to have had the opportunity,” he said.

“Your honesty and diligence in handling ratepayers’ interests has been a model for other councillors, and you’ll be long remembered for your efforts.”

Cr Deb Palmer said that in the time she’d worked with Cr Dalton she’d grown to appreciate her depth of knowledge, her commitment to the area and to the people who lived in it.

“She’ll be missed more than she knows,” Cr Palmer said.

“Her knowledge, experience and support has been applied for the benefit of the whole region – not just Division 6 – and her departure will leave a gaping big hole.”

Cr Barry Green recounted that he’d first met Cr Dalton at the Nanango Races on election day in 1994 when she’d taken her first run at being a councillor and had been “pipped at the post in a photo finish”.

“She impressed me then and still does,” Cr Green said. “I knew then that she had a lot to offer and should be in public life.

“Losing an election’s not a bad thing, and to her credit she ran again at the next election and got in. The rest is history and the South Burnett has been all the better for it.

“And while it’s true that no one is irreplaceable, some people are much harder to replace than others. Cheryl is definitely one of them.”

Cr Kathy Duff said that she was personally sorry to see Cr Dalton go because they’d had such a good working relationship with one another.

“Sometimes I’d get so angry with Cr Tessmann I’d want to strangle him,” she admitted wryly.

“But Cheryl always advised me against doing this, and she was probably right.”

Cr Tessmann echoed the sentiments, saying Cr Dalton had often taken him “under her wing” when he was new in the role and had been like a “second mother” at times.

“Obviously this is a very sad day. We’ve all come to rely on you and lean on you. And your knowledge of the region is amazing,” he said.

Mayor Kratzmann said he’d known Cr Dalton for 30 years and both his family and hers had always been very close.

“She brought expertise and humanity to the job and is a role model for what a councillor should be,” he said.

“Her first thought on anything has always been ‘what’s good for our communities?’

“She is an esteemed, respected and highly valued member of our community.

“And while we all regret losing her and will miss her, I also know we all wish her the very best.”

Cr Cheryl Dalton’s Farewell Speech

Thank you, Mayor Kratzmann, for the opportunity to speak today.

I cannot remember the first issue I spoke of in Council, but I will remember today for a long time as the decision to leave Council has been one of the most difficult I have ever made – surprisingly more difficult than the one to run for Council in the first place.

Nineteen years ago I started out idealistically believing that I could do some good in our community and help shape the future for my children by shaping the community they would grow up in.

I still feel the same way, but now know it takes a lot longer than I thought.

I missed out on my first election by 120 votes, but that didn’t deter me from believing I should try again, And I’m glad I did.

One of the other drivers for my original decision to enter Council was that I wanted to do something about the water supply in Kingaroy Shire.

Thankfully I believe that has been achieved.

Kumbia gained water security with new bores; Wooroolin had the opportunity for a treatment plant (and declined); and Kingaroy gained water security with the purchase from the Boondooma pipeline just before amalgamation.

And now SBRC will upgrade the Kingaroy treatment plant over the next few years … whoever said things don’t move fast in Local Government?

My original plan was to stay for a little while; get the water situation sorted and bail.

But that didn’t really work as I realised that the position had many more challenges and I had a lot more to offer.

As I have prepared myself to leave I have seen many more issues that I would like to have an input into but now will not be able to.

This job never ends just because the person changes.

And just a quick warning to those who may consider running for Division 6: Be prepared to hear from me if you are not toeing the line for the South Burnett, particularly Division 6. I am always prepared to share my opinion!

After the terrible tragedy that our family experienced last year and amongst other issues, I started thinking about the direction I wanted my life to go.

And after talking with my family, I made the decision to resign from Council and leave behind the all-consuming demands of the position.

My family has always been – and always will be – the most important thing in my life, and I wanted to spend more time with them.

Unfortunately I am neither rich enough or old enough to retire yet. So after some time out I will eventually rejoin the workforce.

I believe that God takes you down the paths that are right for you, and that this is the right time and right path for me.

Now I would like to say thank you to some people… Firstly, my husband John, who has steadfastly supported me every step of the way; and who has argued with me relentlessly over the years to ensure that I looked at all points of view.

Because of his business acumen I have not had to worry about our businesses, and this has made it possible for me to be a Councillor.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, John.

I also want to acknowledge our children Jess, Dylan, Grace and Gene who have grown up with Council; who have never complained when I stopped to talk to someone, or when I attended weekend and night-time events and functions; and who have felt and shared my successes and failures as acutely as I have. I love you.

To my friends I also say thank you – you have been a sounding board for my ruminations, pulled me up when I needed to be and have been incredibly supportive of me.

Over the past 16 years I have been privileged to work with some wonderful staff, volunteers and Councillors.

Some have been mentors, some became friends, and most have been supportive,

I cannot name them all but their assistance, loyalty and team spirit has made my job much easier.

To the ratepayers and residents who have entrusted me with this position, I have been honoured to represent you and I hope that I have served you well.

Please know that in every decision I have made, the community and its people has been at the forefront of my mind,

I believe I have always acted with integrity, empathy, honesty and accountability on your behalf.

Sometimes I didn’t get the result I went in to fight for (after all, it is a democracy!).

But if you ask my fellow Councillors that would never have been for lack of hard work, determination or even rubber stamping.

I am sure they will miss my determination – particularly at Budget time!

It has been an honour to do this job and it has afforded me many opportunities, challenges and experiences that most people do not have.

For that I am very grateful.

Originally when I said that I would like to say something today I had a million things I wanted to say. But now the time is here I am finding it hard to say everything I want to.

So I will finish today with this quote from Desmond Tutu which suggests that we can all make a difference.

“Do your little bit of good where you are – it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Thank you.