February 12, 2020
Gympie Mayor Mick Curran announced on Wednesday he will stand for re-election as Mayor at the March 28 local government elections.
Mr Curran, 53, was first elected to Gympie Regional Council in 2012 as a councillor for Division 7.
He was appointed Mayor in December 2014 after former Mayor Ron Dyne resigned due to health reasons, and re-elected as Mayor in 2016.
Prior to becoming a Councillor, Mr Curran was a policeman in Brisbane, Roma and Gympie, where he was promoted to sergeant and made District Crime Manager.
He and his wife Sue, a school teacher, have three children aged 22, 20 and 15 years.
In his most recent weekly column, Mayor Curran said the up-coming elections were important because they gave the community an opportunity to select the candidate they wanted to lead the management of their community for the next four years.
“I would urge all residents to do their research on all candidates and get to know who they will be casting their vote for,” Mayor Curran said.
“I would also urge residents to heed the old saying ‘actions speak louder than words’.”
Mayor Curran warned that being a Mayor or Councillor was not an easy task.
“Difficult decisions need to be made which will draw the ire of some while benefitting the majority,” he said.
“You will be subjected to much more scrutiny and gossip than your family and friends will ever be.
“You will be required to adhere to stringent laws, policies and procedures which you may not have been required to previously.”
On the upside, Councillors could represent their communities and have a say in delivering services, projects and infrastructure for the benefit of the wider community and the region.
“Current councillors, over this term of council, should be proud of their contributions,” he said.
“I wish each and every resident who nominates to lead this community at the forthcoming elections all the very best.”
Footnote: Sitting South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell and Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio have both announced their intention to stand for re-election on March 28. Cherbourg Mayor Arnold Murray has yet to announce his decision.
