Who am I? I’ve lived in Clarence Town for years with my husband Chris and our large blended family with 5 children.
I grew up in the Hunter before attending University and then joining the Australian Federal Police (AFP) where I worked for 13 years in various roles. During this time I also deployed to Timor Leste (formerly East Timor) as a Peacekeeper.
When my children were young I moved to a more family friendly role with NSW Government before starting my own childcare company with the aim of providing child care for shift working parents. I’ve now been running that company for 11 years and I employ over 35 people.
For the last 20 or so years I have also held various temporary electoral roles (NSWEC and AEC) including as Returning Officer. In these roles I was responsible for recruiting and employing up to 500 people, training and managing staff, managing resources and budgets and ensuring the elections ran smoothly and legally.
Last year I realised I missed serving the community and helping others so I joined the Clarence Town Rural Fire Service and I’m now a qualified volunteer Fire Fighter and trainee Community First Responder (volunteer Ambulance). I have also recently joined Disaster Relief Australia and am deployment ready should we be required to respond to a domestic disaster.
Why am I running for Council? I was disappointed when our Mayor ran unopposed at the last election and vowed to myself that would not happen again. I have always had an interest in politics from an early age and I believe that I am at a point in my life now that I have the time; business knowledge and personal life experience to contribute. I’ve built my company with an amazing team that now allows me to step back and pursue things that I am passionate about – volunteering with the RFS and DRA; volunteering in Timor Leste; becoming more involved in my local community and council area; and hopefully serve as part of our local council.
What am I passionate about?
• Sharing this beautiful area with the rest of the world, encouraging tourism, business, events and industry
• Fight for essential services including; better roads and infrastructure; and affordable housing
• Support our youth through engagement, education, employment, sporting and community involvement; support and recognise our community volunteers.
• Explore how we can better support and engage the vulnerable members of our community – such as our older population, those with physical or mental health issue and young people
• Support & encourage existing and future businesses
• Cutting unnecessary costs and waste and balancing environmental considerations with community needs
Why should you vote for me? I understand the importance of team work, consultation, people skills and honesty and these are attributes I practice in all aspects of my life. I have vast experience in managing people, budgets and resources through my various professional roles and personally through raising a large family. I’m the first to admit if I make a mistake or if I don’t know something. I realise I can’t be an expert on everything so I’m open to learning new things, researching or studying and asking for assistance from experts. I’m also a very determined, driven and passionate person who will bring fresh ideas, an open mind and a strong voice and who is not easily intimidated nor afraid to fight for what our community deserves.
I know change takes time, all our issues can’t be solved overnight, though if we want change we need new faces, new ideas and new energy.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karen.drinan.for.dungog.mayor.and.ward.b
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