Julie is driven to stand as a Councillor due to her ongoing frustration with the deterioration of the infrastructure across the Shire as well as the lack of future thinking to preserve its stunning natural beauty.

“We need strong and experienced leadership that only Bruce Clarke can provide to correct the current dysfunction, and to reunite our community. It’s my firm belief that there is no place for politics in local government, as allegiance to a national agenda often leads to untenable results for the people of Byron Shire. As Progressive Independents, we are dedicated to putting the unique needs of our residents first.”

As a former member of the Manly Council’s Future Committee, Historical Trust Committee and an office bearer in the Little Manly Precinct action group, Julie helped to ensure that voices of residents were heard by Council, inappropriate development was curbed, its unique eco-culture was preserved, its heritage was preserved, and future proofing was fundamental to cope with population growth.

Julie’s awards include the United Nations Media Peace Prize for Radio for a JJJ documentary, and the League of American Communication Professionals Gold Magellan Award. Additionally, she has served as Governor of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong, a Director of Australian Doctors International, senior adviser to the Washington DC-based Alliance of Regenerative Medicine’s Communications and Education Committee and an editorial adviser to BioWorld.