AS only eight candidates had nominated for nine positions on King Island Council by noon on September 19, those candidates were declared duly elected.
A new nomination period was opened for the one unfilled position, which closed on September 26.
Four candidates nominated for the unfilled councillor position and one to be elected.
The candidates are Anna Hely, Stefan Hollander, Philip Noble and Caelan Pretorius. There are two candidates for Mayor Ian Allan and Marcus Blackie.
The candidates for Deputy Mayor are Sarina Laidler, Duncan McFie, and Vernon Philbey.
Voting in local government elections is now compulsory and is conducted by a postal ballot.
Ballots papers were posted this week and will be delivered to your enrolled postal address.
You will have about three weeks to return your vote. Close of ballot is 2pm Tuesday, October 25.
Electors who will be away during the polling period are advised to call the TEC on 1800 801 701 to request their ballot pack be sent or re-issued to an alternative address in Tasmania, interstate or overseas.
If you haven’t received your ballot pack by the end of that period, you can request a new pack.
The quickest way to do this is by visiting the King Island council office from Monday, October 10. Alternatively, call the TEC on 1800 801 701 and the TEC will mail one out to you.
To have their vote counted electors must:
• mark their preferences on each ballot paper.
• place the completed ballot paper(s) in the ballot paper envelope (the envelope that has the elector’s name printed on it) and seal it.
• sign the ballot paper envelope in the box next to the elector’s name.
• place the ballot paper envelope in the reply-paid envelope and seal it; and
• put the reply-paid envelope in the post (no stamp required) so that it reaches the returning officer before the close of polling.
Alternatively, as time runs out, you may wish to take your signed and sealed (with completed ballot paper(s) inside) ballot paper envelope to the King Island council office for lodgement in a sealed TEC issued ballot box.
For the councillor ballot paper to be formal an elector will be instructed on each ballot paper to number the boxes from one to the total number of candidates for an election in order of their choice.
For mayor and deputy mayor, an elector must number at least one box to make their vote count.
If you make a mistake, you can cross it out and so long as the electoral official or returning officer can identify which candidate has been given each of your preferences the ballot paper can be included in the count.
Further electoral information can be found on the Tasmanian Electoral Commission website – tec.tas.gov.au
The Candidates
STEFAN HOLLANDER
I HAVE lived on King Island since 2013. Even though I am young I have been active in multiple local businesses and industries.
I also have an interest in administrative systems and believe my practical experience would considerably aid my role should I be elected. I am pro local business and industry, both established and emerging, and believe the council is there to improve the quality of life and support for both individuals and local enterprise. I think there is room for continual improvement inside King Island Council and we need a fresh new voice to connect with our residents, I believe I can be that voice. I am a person with conviction and a strong sense of justice who will stand my ground when needed on behalf of the community, but I am also approachable and enjoy talking to people.
Your #1 for councillor vote will not be wasted with me.
PHILIP NOBLE
I AM a very competent safe and accomplished all-rounder. There is very little I can’t do or am unwilling to attempt. I was born and bred on King Island and left to join the Royal Australian Navy. My career included three years on patrol boats in Northern Australian waters. I own an island small business, am renovating a house, and I am an active volunteer at the King Island Golf and Bowling Club. My fire service career included training, budget management and public education; liaison with other agencies including Police departments, Bush Fires Council, Local Council and Aboriginal organisations and indigenous communities. When I became self-employed, my business was awarded government contracts responsible for maintaining Northern Territory government assets and construction
CAELAN PRETORIUS
MY name is Caelan Pretorius and I am running for a position as councillor on the King Island council. I moved to King Island with my family in late 2016. In the six years since, I’ve moved off to the mainland 3 times, and found myself coming back to the island every time. I moved back to King Island again at the beginning of this year, and this time I’ve decided to stay. I am 22 years of age, and I’ve seen much of our country and worked in a wide variety of jobs and professions over the years. This has enabled me to develop a broad skillset that I hope to put to use as a King Island councillor for the betterment of our community. I’m currently working towards becoming a certified counselor, and hope to use my qualifications as a group fitness instructor in the near future. I am also a partner in the local small business, King Island Colloidal Minerals (KIC), which has been running on the island for over 20 years.
ANNA HELY
I MOVED to King Island with my husband 5 years ago, and quickly established deep community roots. I love our small farm, co-own/ manage KI Car Rental, and volunteer for several local organisations having a keen interest in arts/culture and tourism. In past roles, I gained a genuine understanding of achieving goals through teamwork, financial budgets, and the need for honesty and transparency in maintaining relationships. I believe I can provide a valuable contribution and openminded perspective to the challenges facing council.
