Five Minute Speech – Meet the Candidate Nights – Glamorgan Vale & Lowood

Five Minute Speech – Meet the Candidate Nights – Glamorgan Vale & Lowood

Category : General News

Five-minute speech – Cheryl Gaedtke- Meet the Candidates Nights – Glamorgan Vale & Lowood District Residents Networking Inc.  (16 & 17 March 2020)

1. Who am I?
I am fourth generation to Kilcoy. My ancestors on my Mum’s side, arrived from England and took up a selection in 1904 at Mt Kilcoy. My Great Grandfather was the President of the Mt Kilcoy School Committee which very quickly petitioned and accomplished the Mt Kilcoy State Primary School. A beautiful little school on a hill and which takes in the magical views of the Mt Kilcoy valley. My Great Grandfather also represented Kilcoy Shire Council as Councillor. My Grandmother, my Mum, my siblings, my son, my daughter and I were all schooled at Mt Kilcoy. My two granddaughters currently attend Kilcoy State Primary School, so I am proud to share that four generations of my family were schooled at Mt Kilcoy. Life was brilliant back then with Mum and Dad dairying and then later going into their own businesses.

After completing my schooling at Kilcoy State High School, I went to the big smoke to attend Seven Hills Technical College, boarding during the week with one of the female teachers. I was glad to return to the bush every weekend. I did extremely well here, college was where I seemed to be more in charge of what I was doing and my results reflected this premise. I felt more empowered and I met students so different to those at home. The Seven Hills College of Art was part of the complex, and we shared facilities, and for this country kid, I thoroughly enjoyed these students challenging what I considered as normal.

I commenced work at the age of 16 at Kilcoy Shire Council as Clerk-Typist, I left to get married and to have a family and then returned to work full time at the age of 24 and where I worked my way up to Manager Finance & Administration prior to council amalgamation in 2008. I worked for Somerset Regional Council in the capacity of Executive Administrator – Community Services, totally enjoying meeting the southern communities of our much larger region. Upon leaving council at the end of 2013, I enrolled in university and commenced my studies in 2014. I studied communication at University of Sunshine Coast and fitted in as a mature aged student. During this time, I was elected President of the Kilcoy Chamber of Commerce & Community and was awarded the 2015 Citizen of the Year. In 2016, and after realising how much I was missing Local Government, I threw my hat in the ring and stood for Councillor. I was elected to my disbelief.

2. Why am I running for the position of Councillor again?
I am totally chuffed to have had the opportunity to represent our wonderful community for the past four years. During this time, I withdrew from university studies, and commenced studying for the Diploma of Local Government – Elected Members, which I successfully achieved in August 2019. I am very much aware of our opportunities and with precise vision, strategic planning and ongoing commitment, our region can benefit with managed growth and development. During my career, some newly elected Councillors confided to me that it took quite a while for them to fully understand local government. So, I proudly and openly bring experience, knowledge, sound decision making skills, passion and ongoing commitment to get things done. I absolutely enjoy working as part of a progressive team, in an effort to make our region a place to be envied.

3. What would I like to see occur in our beautiful region?
I value our agricultural inheritance, our local businesses, our local schools, our local hospitals, our local SES, our local Firies and every local community group. I would like to see successful businesses established in our region, businesses that support the needs of our region. Tourism is an important economic driver, and council is very active in this area. Collaboration with peak industry bodies and outside influences and connections will provide innovative opportunities. I want to see our natural assets respected and to continue to be managed in a sustainable way. And the big-ticket item, is to seek collaboration with other levels of government to promote ourselves as an area just outside of Brisbane for the home of regional services and/or facilities.

4. Future of Local Government
I have witnessed the role of Local Government change from just roads, rates and rubbish. Although these items are still very important and essential, priorities have grown immensely. We are the grass route level of government closest to our communities and because of this, we have a sound understanding of what is needed, what will work, and what won’t work. I believe we are the glue of our communities. Unfortunately, we are still an arm very much attached to the State Government, as Local Government is still not recognised in the Australian Constitution. Local Government will need to ensure that it does not become the dumping ground for services currently provided by State Government, and definitely not without associated funding. I have seen Local Government step up to the plate to meet various community needs, definitely changing the mentality from just roads, rates, and rubbish.

I thank you for the opportunity to speak tonight.

 


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Cover for Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region
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Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region

Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region

I believe in open communication, active listening and a common sense approach, always.

This may very well be my last post on this site.I wish to congratulate all incoming Councillors, and I wish every single one of them all the best over the next four years, and I hope that I can be considered as part of the team, but from a very different perspective. I have the utmost confidence that our region will flourish under the leadership of Mayor Jason Wendt and the new "Team Somerset"!I share with my @followers the lovely Acknowledgement of Service of 39 years made to Queensland Local Government presented at my last Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13 March 2024.Somerset Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes - 13 March 2024Acknowledgement of Service– Cr Gaedtke File Ref: Mayor and Councillor Reports Action Officer: EA Background/Summary Cr Gaedtke's career within Somerset Regional Council stands as a testament to her dedication to our community's welfare and advancement. Over nearly four decades of service, she has left a mark on the region, shaping its future for the better. With 39 years of committed service, including 31 years as a staff member and eight years as a councillor, Cr Gaedtke has illustrated the essence of public service. Her tenure has been characterised by a commitment to enhancing the lives of residents and driving meaningful progress within Somerset Regional Council and the former Kilcoy Shire Council. As a motivated figure within council, she has played a vital role in fostering collaboration and advancing effective strategies to address community needs. Cr Gaedtke's involvement with the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) committee has been a source of pleasure and fulfilment, allowing her to support and promote the arts within the region. Additionally, her engagement with various community committees has given her fond memories and invaluable experiences representing and engaging with a diverse array of people. These interactions have enriched her understanding of the community's needs and aspirations, further fuelling her dedication to serving its interests. Cr Gaedtke's legacy is ingrained in the fabric of Somerset Regional Council. Her dedication has set a high standard for public officials, inspiring others to work hard and honestly for local government. As Cr Gaedtke prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey, we extend our gratitude for her service and contributions to Somerset Regional Council. We wish her a retirement filled with joy, longevity, and the opportunity to pursue her passions and dreams. Recommendation THAT Council receive the report ‘Acknowledgment of Service - Cr Gaedtke’ and it be placed on the public record as an expression of sincere gratitude for her thirty-nine years of committed service to Somerset Regional Council and former Kilcoy Shire Council, serving as both an employee and Councillor. Resolution Subject: Moved – Cr Whalley Seconded – Cr Brieschke “THAT Council receive the report ‘Acknowledgment of Service - Cr Gaedtke’ and it be placed on the public record as an expression of sincere gratitude for her thirty-nine years of committed service to Somerset Regional Council and former Kilcoy Shire Council, serving as both an employee and Councillor.” Vote - Unanimous Carried ... See MoreSee Less
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Councillor Gaedtke - Councillor Report - Ordinary Council Meeting13 March 2024Queensland will be the biggest loser from the latest GST carve-up among the states and territories, the Commonwealth Grants Commission has revealed. In its latest report on Tuesday, the commission revealed Queensland’s share of GST in 2024-25 would be cut by nearly $500m on last year’s figure, to $17.46bn, while other states will also lose, and other states will benefit from the proposed changes. How will this impact Queensland Local Government?I have had a very sick husband for the past four weeks and shingles has caused him to suffer with severe nerve pain in the left side of his head, with very little successful pain control. This has made me realise what is important in life, and what is not. Yesterday, I was made aware of a third news article by close friends, that once again attempts to discredit me as a councillor for a live 20 second video. As human beings we all make mistakes, but we must own our mistakes and learn by them, enough said. It is totally un-Australian not to be able to voice your opinion openly, responsibility and professionally. The perpetrator this time may have shown the true character. As I said after the second news article, some 13 months ago, I pray for the soul of this tormented individual. I believe almost 40 years loyal service to Local Government outweighs one minor error of judgement.Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes RECORDMatters of public interest – Cr Gaedtke I read this morning that Queensland will be the biggest losers in the GST carve up amongst the States. The Commonwealth Grants Commission has revealed this unfortunately. So, in its latest report on Tuesday, the Commission revealed Queensland share of GST in 2024 - 25 will be cut by nearly five hundred million dollars so that's a cut on last year's things of 17.46 billion dollars. So, all I'm thinking, other states are losing obviously, other states are gaining. Queensland's not gaining, it's losing and I wonder how this impact will affect Queensland local government. And secondly, and this pain's me having to raise this but I think I'm entitled to do this. I've had a very sick husband for the past four weeks and shingles has caused him to suffer with severe pain on the left side of his head with very little successful pain control. It's a horrendous health condition. And if I can just implore everyone who's had chicken pox or even if you're not sure about chickenpox please give them their vaccination. Shingles is a horrible thing to go through I'm sitting and watching it as we speak now. So, this has made me realise what is important in life and what’s not. Yesterday I was made aware of a third news article by a close friend. My friend tells me that it's about a live 20 second video that I did back in May 2022 at the opening of the Toogoolawah Gym and Pool. It was the official opening. Yes, I did a 20 second live video tape which was against policy and the funding agreement from the state government as it funded most of that structure. So, once again this individual attempt to discredit me as a councillor through printed articles. This is the third one, the third one since May 2022. I've made mistakes but we own our mistakes and learn by them. That's enough said because we're human beings. So it's to me it is totally un-Australian not to be able to voice my opinion openly and responsibly and professionally as I did in the newspaper back on the sixth of March 2024 about how I found local government over 40 years and who my preferred candidates are to lead this council in the right direction over the next four years and beyond. So, the perpetrator this time they've shown their true character by the article that appears in a local newspaper. As I said after the second news article some 13 months ago, I prayed for the soul of this tormented individual. I believe my 40 years of loyal service to local government outbreaks one minor error of judgement. Thank you ... See MoreSee Less
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Eight years ago🙂❣️ ... See MoreSee Less
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