For over 17 years, I’ve been proud to call Cockburn home. It’s where I chose to raise my family, where I became actively involved in the community, and where I’ve worked hard to make a meaningful difference.

My journey into local government didn’t start with politics. It started at the Yangebup Primary School P&C, fundraising for playground upgrades and shade sails. I was just a Mum wanting safer, better facilities for my kids and their friends. But when I realised we were also expected to fundraise for basics like air conditioning, I knew that wasn’t right. So I joined the WA Council of State School Organisation (WACSSO) to push for change.

That advocacy led to a statewide commitment to air conditioning in public schools. It showed me that when you stand up and speak out, you can make things happen.

After that, I focused on my kids’ sports clubs, volunteering and staying involved, until rock-throwing incidents in Yangebup left residents feeling unsafe. People were scared. So I did what I’ve always done and stepped up. I organised a local crime forum, the first one in Cockburn. The room was packed, the concern was real, and it was clear our community needed a stronger voice.

That forum sparked the revival of the Yangebup Progress Association, which I went on to chair for a number of years. We held movie nights, swap meets, clean-up days, and built real connection across the suburb. But I was growing increasingly frustrated by the Council as there was no consultation on projects impacting our suburb, and decisions were made without us.

That’s when I decided to run for Council. Not because I had a political ambition, but because I wanted to make a difference for my community — to be the voice I knew we needed.

And now, after eight years on Council, including the last two as Deputy Mayor, I’m ready to take that leadership to the next level, as Mayor of Cockburn.