Councillor Campaigning Trail Cheryl Gaedtke – Moore, Toogoolawah, Lowood & Kilcoy

The Candidates’ Draw was conducted at Toogoolawah on Wednesday 17 February and my name appears as the tenth candidate – please look for my surname down the list of a total of fifteen candidates. Voters must mark their choice of Councillor Candidates from number one through to number six in the box beside the candidates’ name.

On Saturday 20^th February, I took a pleasant drive over to Moore and attended the Moore Markets after savouring a lovely cup of coffee from Allison, the owner of Kai Lounge.  Many visitors called in as they were driving through this quaint little town.  I purchased a book about policing from a retired Sergeant, the book was called “Inside Story – A Cop’s True Tales”. I chatted to the author, Brian Stallworthy and later advised him that “this book would be given as a birthday present to someone who probably escaped the “Cops” many a time as a young local lad, and around the time that Brian was an active Police Officer”.  The Moore Hall Supper Room was full of life with guests enjoying homemade cooking.  The Principal’s Cottage held a massive sale and there were many customers making their way between it and the Old Church Gallery.  I was interested to learn of key issues that locals spoke about during my visit.  Some of the issues however were not within the jurisdiction of Local Government.

The beautiful Moore Soldiers Memorial Hall – the community and the tireless workers who keep this hall in such top conditon need an enormous pat on the back.

At 5:45pm the Somerset Regional Council Mayoral and Councillor Candidates were invited to attend the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail Users Association’s “Sunset n’ Moonlight Ride n’ Dine” bike ride and were welcomed with champagne and canapés. Eighty-Two bike riders were also enjoying the refreshments as well as the art exhibitions and other attributes of the Condensery. 

Many of these riders made their way to the region to experience the hospitality, food, art and enjoyment of the region’s natural assets.  The event was held at the Toogoolawah Condensery Art Gallery and catering was provided by the Toogoolawah Historical Society.  The evening was well supported by the Candidates, and it was a lovely opportunity for the Candidates to meet, and also meet with these passionate and somewhat fit people.

I attended the Lowood Bunyip Twilight Farmers Market on Friday night 26^th February and enjoyed some really interesting conversation with some of the locals.  I also caught up with Ray Hopper, who has some interesting experiences in State Government to share.   It was a very hot day and the number of happy market hunters reflected this.  I also popped into the Lowood & Fernvale Community Bank branch and said hello to the staff.  Kilcoy is working toward its own community bank and is working closely with Bendigo Bank.  I believe our steering committee has done well after two years of campaigning we have over 230 pledgees and over $620,000 worth of pledges.  We cannot wait to get to the second stage of the five stage process.

I also attended the Kilcoy Yowie Markets on Saturday 27^th February and chatted to many people and some that I haven’t seen for the past 25 years of more.  I can truly say life is great and how lucky we are to live in this wonderful country and how blessed we are to enjoy a rural lifestyle and the friendship of irreplaceable people.  I am recording the issues as residents speak to me and issues that I believe I can explore at local government level and provide a suitable outcome to.  Please see me if you would like to share any local government related issues, and even good stories are much loved.  I welcome the opportunity to learn from you and your comments and perspectives.

It was lovely to catch up with other Candidates at the Kilcoy Yowie Markets:

Helen Brieschke, Ronda Williams, Nicole Lincoln, Ray Hopper, Graeme Lehmann and of course Otis Ogg and wife Bronwyn.

I will be extending my campaign by visiting different towns in the region over the next two weeks.

 I also look forward to meeting you and discussing your particular issues, comments, or just to say hello, at the Meet the Candidates Nights, or at one of the region’s markets on the following dates: