I am very much aware of the significance that the role of mayor carries with it, so I am conscious of the crucial need to relate to the community, make myself accessible and create an environment where all of our councillors feel comfortable to do the same.

My civic journey stated about 15 years or so ago, I had the privilege to help out with Meals on Wheels. It was only a couple of hours a fortnight, but I got to see some of the magnificent wisdom and skill that resided in the minds, behind closed doors in our community. I delivered frozen meals, and that was a metaphor for what I saw. Sports people, writers, doctors, actors, artists butchers and farmers shared their ideas that were frozen in their mind until they were warmed up with magic ingredient of interest, and out they poured!

That was the inciting experience that made me want to represent the Kiama community as a councillor.

I had qualifications in Marketing, International Relations and served with the Australian Defence Force (ADF), but I consider my real skill was, and is, curiosity. I am interested in why things are the way they are, can they be improved and what might be the consequences of change? I reckon that there is a load of great ideas, wisdom and support in our community. As a councillor, and now as a mayor, I want to use that curiosity to unlock the power of the community to help us all.

As far as the mayoral role goes, I believe that in life and in the council chamber, you can’t achieve anything worthwhile alone. I want to create an elected Council that believes we should all be our best selves and work together to achieve good outcomes for the community.

Being a good councillor is not just about our opinion or stance on an issue. It is about attributes, characteristics and qualities that contribute to the short-term and long-term wellbeing of the community – now and into the future.

I believe there are a number of attributes a mayor should have: the ability to build relationships and be a team player, emotional maturity, approachability, critical thinking skills and a willingness to listen. I will work hard to achieve those attributes.

With all this in mind, I plan to make myself directly available to hear from and speak to you, the Kiama community, throughout my term as mayor. I will let you know when I’ll be holding these open-discussion sessions via the Kiama Council website and Kimunico e-newsletter.

In the meantime, you can contact me via phone or email or, once it is COVID-safe to do so, make an appointment to come and speak to me in person.

https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/Mayor-and-Councillors/Mayor-Neil-Reilly