Dolly Jensen is a dedicated advocate for women in local government. As the newly appointed Queensland President of the Australian Local Government Women's Association, she brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role.
With a strong history of supporting and mentoring women, Dolly has been instrumental in driving positive change within the sector. Her commitment to gender equality was recognized in 2010 when she was awarded the Emma Miller Award by the QCU for her advocacy work.
As the new Queensland President, Dolly is committed to standing up for the rights of women and ensuring their voices are heard at all levels of local government
Councillor Jan Clifford has been an elected member with Whitsunday Regional Council since 2008. Jan’s current portfolio includes Planning & Development, Major Developments and Business, Housing and Airlie Tourism. Jan also sits on a number of boards and committees including the Police Citizen’s Youth Club as well as being a patron of the Whitsunday Crisis and Counseling Service. Jan has completed the Australian Institute of Directors "In the Boardroom" course and also has a Diploma of Management.
Deputy Mayor Karen May’s vast local government experience totals 20 years. Cr May was also a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor of the former Sarina Shire Council.
She was re-elected for her fourth consecutive term on the amalgamated council at the 2024 local government elections. She was then elected Deputy Mayor by her fellow councillors in August 2024.
Cr May is co-chair of council’s Liveability and Social Inclusion Strategic Advisory Committee.
She is also a council representative on the not-for-profit regional body for community and social development, Greater Whitsunday Communities and the Mackay Regional Housing Company Limited.
She is passionate about advocating on behalf of business, industry, and tourism for our region and is a strong community voice for her regional community.
Her volunteer work includes serving as chairperson of the Mackay Women’s Service, Community Bank Sarina Bendigo Bank, committee member of Regional Development Australia Greater Whitsunday and vice chair Sarina Landcare Integrated Catchment Association Inc.
Gladstone Regional Council Deputy Mayor Cr Muszkat is an experienced manager, facilitator, community development and workplace health and safety professional.
Cr Muszkat has a great passion for community and social and human services, and in her years in the Gladstone Region she has been instrumental in delivering a wide range of projects including traineeships for disadvantaged job seekers, domestic and family violence prevention programs, literacy initiatives, schools’ bursaries, community development programs and art and culture projects.
Cr Muszkat has a Bachelor in Workplace Health and Safety (with Distinction), a Diploma in Business Governance and is a Fellow of the Institute of Community Directors Australia.
Councillor Delfine (Fina) Vasta is serving her first term as Councillor of Burdekin Shire Council, elected in March 2024.
Julie Wright’s career in Local Government has spanned over 29 years and across three Council’s – Burdekin, Cairns & Whitsunday Regional Council’s.
Julie believes her position as an Animal Management Officer in those first years with the Burdekin Shire Council gave her the foundation to understand the strong connection of Local Government and the Community, followed by 10 years with Cairns Regional Council to strengthen her experience in the compliance fields of Local Government.
Julie loves the family orientated feel of Whitsunday Regional Council – colleagues are friendly and it’s a great place to work. She feels that trust is important in an organisation as it enables staff to grow into their positions, take ownership and be the best they can possibly be.
Julie and her partner Peter enjoy spending time watching their grandchildren participate in their chosen sports plus outdoor activities including fishing, beach walks and swimming.
Key responsibilities include Community and Library Services, Sport & Recreation including Aquatic Facilities, Environmental and Public Health, Natural Resource Management & Climate, Community Events, Regulatory Matters, Arts & Cultural Heritage, Community Safety, Collinsville RV Park, Local Laws, Customer Service, the Proserpine Entertainment Centre and the Flagstaff Hill Conference and Culture Centre.
Cr Edwina Farquhar has over 25 years experience in marketing, communications, brand, and project management. She has worked for not-for-profits, publicly listed companies, and large multinationals in Australia and abroad.
Edwina was appointed Councillor to Toowoomba Regional Council in September 2023 and recently elected in 2024. Her portfolios include; Business Transformation and Strategy, Planning and Development; Finance and Business Strategy.
With a Bachelor of Business Management (Marketing) from the University of Queensland, Edwina is a mother of three girls, so has always been a strong advocate for championing women’s rights, domestic violence prevention and research into MND.
Councillor Natalie Willcocks was elected to Logan City Council in 2020.
She is married to husband Mark and has two daughters.
As a tertiary qualified high school teacher, Councillor Willcocks taught health and physical education, legal studies and home economics for 10 years in mainstream educational settings.
For the next five years, she worked with disengaged and disadvantaged young people in a transitional educational setting.
As the mother of two active girls, Councillor Willcocks enjoys watching her kids play netball and swimming, is heavily involved in her local swimming club and is a keen Collingwood AFL supporter.
Other interests include cooking, reading, travelling and spending time with her family and their Alaskan Malamute, Nanuk.