Councillor Paul Pisasale was elected to Council in March 1991, elected Deputy Mayor in April 2000, elected Mayor in March 2004 and re-elected as Mayor of the City of Ipswich in March 2008.

Paul’s dedication to the City of Ipswich, as well as his drive and enthusiasm, are very evident to all that come in contact with him. He is passionate about working at a regional level, breaking down barriers and ensuring that people are the number one priority for local government. Paul has an active interest in business and youth initiatives, many business and community organisations and employment enterprises and is Patron of over 30 organisations. In May 2006, Paul attended the “Global City” international forum for urban decision-makers where more than 80 Mayors attended from cities across the world.

Paul was the only Mayor from Australia invited to attend this international forum held in Lyon, France. With many years of experience, Paul is regarded as a leader in the areas of regional economic development and tourism and was awarded the National Economic Development Award for Leadership in October 2007. Paul was one of the main instigators in the formation of Global Info Links, Global Arts Links and Ipswich Community Telco. These have all brought about many significant benefits to the western region. Paul strongly believes that care for the community is vital to a growing community.

Les Tyrell has been Mayor of the former City of Thuringowa since 1991. His involvement with local government commenced when he was elected as Councillor to the then Thuringowa Shire in 1979. He spent two terms (six years) as Deputy Mayor, between 1982 and 1991.

Les has spent all but 18 months of his life in North Queensland, living in places such as Wangan, Tully, Ingham, Innisfail, Cairns and Townsville/Thuringowa. Originally from an accounting background, he spent several years in management and sales positions in the timber and hardware industries. He was also self-employed for a period of 12 years, establishing his own financial services consultancy.

In 2003, Les was awarded the Centenary Medal for distinguished service to local government. Besides sitting on numerous Council and community committees, Les is currently the Chair of the Breakwater Island Casino Community Benefit Fund and Chair of the Townsville/Thuringowa Disaster Management Committee. He is a Board member of Townsville Enterprise Limited. Les is the patron of numerous sporting, charitable and community groups and a past School P&C President. He is a past member of the Queensland Council of School P&C`s and President of Kennedy Area Scout Association. Les has been given Life Member (Senator) of Jaycees and is a recipient of Lions International Community Award/Centenary Medal. He is an Honorary Member of City of Thuringowa Lions Club. Les is married to Pat and has six children, comprising of five sons and one daughter.

Cr Bob Abbot is the Mayor of Sunshine Coast Regional Council. He was first elected as a Councillor in 1982 and was Deputy Mayor for 6 years before being elected Mayor in 1997. Cr Abbot is the first Mayor elected in Noosa from a true community development platform. He has combined his extensive knowledge and experience in local government and its own particular environment with a burning desire to help those in need, and to develop the social infrastructure essential to the Noosa community.

Cr Abbot is committed to providing all Noosa residents with opportunity — regardless of age, race or disability — and to providing support to those who are less fortunate than others.

Endowed with a ready wit and salty sense of humour, Bob Abbot prides himself on being a man of the people. Bob is Chair of NORSROC and an Executive Member of LGAQ.

Krista Adams was elected as Councillor for the ward of Wishart in 2008 as part of Lord Mayor Campbell Newmans team. The married 38 year old former Health and Physical Education Teacher and group fitness instructor, is the daughter of popular long-serving Councillor, Gail Chiconi, who served the local area for 12 years.

Krista lives in Holland Park West and spent the majority of her life in Wishart Ward. She went to St. Catherine's School, Wishart and Loreto College, Coorparoo. She is the Chief Steward for the student program at the Mt. Gravatt Show, the largest local event in Wishart. Krista has a history of fighting for community improvements. She organised meetings on behalf of the residents in Invermore Street, Mt. Gravatt, during their recent struggles over car parking.

She has also been involved in the City Council's suburban shopping centre improvement programs and supported local school fetes, markets and Clean-Up Australia. Following the election, Krista was appointed Deputy Chairperson of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee. She was also appointed to sit on the Infrastructure and the Environment, Parks and Sustainability Committees.

Gladstone born and bred, Matt Burnett, at 33, is the youngest Councillor on the Gladstone Regional Council. Matt was first elected to Gladstone City Council in March 2000 and was returned in March 2004.

In 1993, at just 18 years of age Matt launched the Port Curtis Post Newspaper to provide residents with an alternative source of local news and information.  The publication was eventually sold to the Gladstone Observer Newspaper and is still in circulation today. Matt said he has always believed the Gladstone region included both Calliope and Miriam Vale Shires and during the 2000 post election meeting, on his first day in office he requested Miriam Vale be included in the joint annual Gladstone/Calliope meetings.  At the 2008 general election Gladstone City Council was amalgamated with Calliope and Miram Vale Shires.

As a member of the Central Committee on the Ageing, Matt is dedicated to providing more facilities seniors.  He is committed to protecting the environment and encourages better environmental practices amongst residents, industrial operators and the Council itself.  Mat raised the issue of the two bin recycling system in his first term and after a successful trial, the two bin recycling system was introduced in 2007.  From July 2008 the program will be extended across the new electorate. 

Far North Queensland has been my home for 25 years. I came to Cairns in 1982 after working in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and am originally from a small village on the north-east coast of Tasmania.

My work experiences have been diverse and challenging, ranging from motel manager, teacher, breakfast cook to mining treatment plant operator and self-employed management consultant. I previously held senior managerial positions in the state public service where I managed up to 125 staff, multi-million dollar budgets and oversaw major change strategies.

All my life I have worked in community groups, being a member or office holder in organisations including the Scouts, Parent and Friends associations, community newspapers, theatre groups, Cairns and Far North Environment Centre, Cairns Youth and Recreation Centre, Arts Nexus and Cairns Regional Gallery. As President of the Machans Beach Progress Association for 10 years, I provided leadership in building the sense of community for which Machans Beach is renowned.

With a diverse group of regional residents I developed a vision for our unique tropical city. By working in new ways and working together, it is my aim to create a Council and a region which are renowned both nationally and internationally ; a region that retains its character and is able to balance social well-being and environmental values with economic development.

Lorraine Pyefinch became Mayor of the new Bundaberg Regional Council in March this year. Lorraine started her career as a nurse, studying at Bundaberg Base Hospital. She was first elected to Local Government in 1994 and served 2 terms as a Councillor. She then worked full time with her husband Frank on their medical software business, which became Australia's largest medical software supplier. In 2004 she was once again elected onto Council.

Lorraine has served on many committees and boards, including Queensland Small Business Advisory Group, Wide Bay Burnett Regional Communities Forum, Bundaberg Port Authority, Bundaberg & District Tourism and Development Board and Wide Bay Institute of TAFE Council.

Lorraine is relishing her new role as Mayor of the Bundaberg Regional Council.

Cr John Molony was elected as Mayor of Mount Isa on the 15 March 2008.

Cr Molony has previously served four terms on Mount Isa City Council as a Councillor and two terms on Burke Shire Council as Mayor. John is also a local businessman who manages his Western Outfitter’s store in Mount Isa.

Cr Molony holds a keen interest in all Council matters.