When Melinda Lawton’s family moved to Jamberoo in 1974, it was a leap of faith inspired by her father, who fell in love with the lush green hills during a drive. For six year old Melinda, it marked the start of a childhood filled with freedom, exploration, and community spirit.

“It was the perfect place to grow up. It was safe, it was close-knit, it was home,” Melinda recalls fondly.

Her early years were shaped by the small town ethos of working hard and pitching in.

After high school at Kiama High, Melinda took her first job at the Kiama Independent, working in production and helping piece together newspapers in the back room. “It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me a lot about teamwork and deadlines,” she says.

Her determination and curiosity soon took her to Sydney, where she spent seven years at Channel 7, working behind the scenes in programming and on air presentation.

It was an exciting chapter, but even then, Kiama was never far from her mind. “I always came back - my mum was here, my best friends were here. Kiama is part of me,” she says.

It’s that deep connection to the community that inspired Melinda to stand for council. Her focus is simple but ambitious - start with small wins that build momentum while laying out a roadmap for longer term success.

“We need to clearly communicate what we’re doing over the next two years, what we’re aiming for in the next five, and how all of it ties into achieving our shared vision,” Melinda explains.

That vision is about more than ticking boxes, it’s about bringing the community together. Melinda is driven by a clear message: Kiama’s future is a shared vision, and it’s one that needs everyone’s input, trust, and collaboration.

One of Melinda’s driving principles is ensuring that community consultation is genuine and inclusive. “It’s crucial we hear from the whole community, not just the people who make the most noise,” she says.

“Transparency and communication are key to rebuilding trust. We need to explain not just what we’re doing but why we’re doing it,” she adds.

Melinda’s background in interior design and construction gives her a unique perspective on balancing environmental protection with the growing need for housing. She’s determined to avoid the pitfalls of poorly planned developments that prioritise profit over people.

“Growth doesn’t have to mean sprawl. We can create smaller, self-sufficient villages with the right infrastructure and green spaces that preserve the character of our area,” she says.

Her vision includes affordable and social housing solutions that integrate sustainable design and community spaces. She believes collaboration with developers and leveraging grant opportunities can help achieve these goals without compromising the environment.

“It’s about giving people dignity, access to housing, to community, and to opportunity,” she says.

At the heart of Melinda’s approach is a belief in adaptability and progress. “You can’t wait until everything is perfect to start. Let’s get some small wins, show progress, and keep moving forward,” she says.

As Kiama grows and changes, Melinda remains committed to ensuring it stays a place people love to call home. “This area shaped me. It’s why I came back, why I stood for council, and why I’ll keep working to make it even better,” she says.