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Councillors
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| Back row (left to right): Cr Bob Whalley, Cr Jason Wendt, Cr Sean Choat, Front row (left to right): Cr Helen Brieschke, Mayor Graeme Lehmann, Cr Kylee Isidro, Cr Cheryl Gaedtke |
MAYOR |
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Graeme was born and raised in the Somerset region and has always called this his home. He lives with his wife Judy at Prenzlau and together they have three daughters and many grandchildren. Graeme is passionate about representing the interests of the community and first became a Councillor in 1994. A decade after being in local government, Graeme was elected Mayor of the region. He has proudly served in local government for over two decades. Graeme left high school early to pursue his love of cars and successfully completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic soon after. Graeme is a qualified motor mechanic and owned and operated a business specialising in repairing and restoring vehicles at Tarampa for many years. He is an avid Holden supporter and has raced at speedway and won several titles. Graeme has strong connections to the community. |
DEPUTY MAYOR |
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Helen Brieschke first moved to the Somerset region in 1976 after experiencing Cyclone Tracey when living in Darwin as a child. She has been heavily involved in the community since her teenage years and has held full-time employment at the Esk Co-Op and Esk Hospital. Helen and husband David owned and operated a wholesale milk distribution business in Somerset for 32 years and Helen is actively involved with the historic Toogoolawah Picture theatre. Helen was first elected as a Councillor in 2012 and in March 2020 was elected as Deputy Mayor. She has a strong commitment to the community with a keen interest in recreation, environment and the arts and believes Somerset is a great place to live, work and visit. |
COUNCILLORS |
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Sean Choat was first elected as a Councillor in 2016. Prior to being elected, Sean served in many community-based committee positions and most notably as the State Member for Ipswich West where he strongly advocated for the interests of the community with success in major projects such as funding and building the Blacksoil Interchange, significant boosts to local police numbers and other community infrastructure such as securing the grant funding for the Fernvale Sports Park precinct. Sean lives at Glamorgan Vale with his wife Nicola and their three children. His interests include breeding livestock, but he is best known for his love of exhibition poultry and his racing pigeons. Sean has many years’ experience working in the vocational training sector and has undertaken studies in training and assessment, audit and business administration. He is currently on the executive committee of Regional Development Australia Ipswich and West Moreton where he advocates strongly for the betterment of Somerset and neighbouring regions. Sean values and believes strongly in the rights of the individual, small business, sustainable growth and protecting the character and appeal of the Somerset region and its districts. |
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Cheryl was appointed as a Councillor in 2016 after working as Manager of Finance and Administration and Executive Administrator – Community Services in local government for over 30 years. Cheryl possesses a great understanding of this level of government and is proud to be involved with communities and businesses at this grass root level. Following university studies based around communication, Cheryl welcomes strong communication practices and encourages active listening and open feedback. Cheryl is a fourth generation resident of Somerset, and together with her husband John, calls Kilcoy home. In 2015 she received the Somerset Australia Day Citizen of the Year award for her voluntary involvement in various community groups and organisations across the region since 1987. Cheryl is an avid horse rider and enjoys keeping fit by visiting gyms and recreational areas located in our great region. |
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Kylee Isidro was first elected as a Councillor in March 2020. Kylee was born and raised in Somerset before spreading her wings to the plains of Africa and the United Kingdom before realising Somerset was the place for her. She lives at Esk with her husband Darcy and their two daughters. She is passionate about delivering excellent customer service and previously worked for Somerset Regional Council as a customer service team leader for more than five years. She has worked in various industries including pharmaceuticals and business and as a fifth descendant of two Somerset families, Kylee is passionate about the region and its development for future generations. Cr Kylee Isidro Register of Interest.pdf |
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Jason was appointed as a Councillor in March 2020 and has proudly called Somerset his home for the past two decades. He lives near Fernvale with his wife, Laurisa, and their three teenage sons and is actively involved in the community including as a fire warden and a member of the Fernvale Rural Fire Brigade. Jason is a qualified vet who graduated with first class honours and has practiced since 1996. He is passionate about animals and also runs a small commercial beef herd. Jason is a progressive thinker and wants to empower the community to help create a sustainable future. Cr Jason Wendt Register of Interest.pdf |
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Bob Whalley has been heavily involved in the Somerset community for more than two decades and has a proven track record of working hard for the betterment of the community while representing the needs of his constituents. Bob is an owner and operator of a small Somerset business and was instrumental in the establishment of the Somerset Region Business Alliance, and a foundation member of the Fernvale Lions Club. He first became a Councillor for Esk Shire Council in 2004 and served a full term before running as a mayoral candidate in 2008. Bob was then appointed to the position of Councillor for Somerset Regional Council in 2015, and has served continuously since. He has lived in Somerset for three decades, enjoys educating young horses, loves to keep fit and healthy, and is a proud family man. |
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