By TANIA PHILLIPS
Maggie Stokes
BORN in Cunnamulla, Maggie Stokes’s parents introduced her to horses and the outback.
She has lived in Rockhampton, Gladstone and Brisbane for many years where she established a large carvery in the heart of city and also the well known Tipplers Seafood Takeaway at Taringa.
During this time studies in Ceramics (Diploma) and Engineering were undertaken.
Love of the country always in her mind, Warwick was the next and final place purchasing acreage in Goomburra and establishing a horse breeding stud.
Maggie’s other loves are her hobbies where she has been President and Treasurer (Country Music & Lapidary) and is a member of the Allora Show Society. She also became a presenter on local Rainbow FM.
Maggie brings tourists to the region by staging a large country music festival now in it’s seventh year.
“I decided to stand for council because I was always questioning the councillors, re certain items that interested me, and Denise Ingram said I should stand at the next election and then the same happened with the late Jamie Mackenzie and he used to answer all my questions for me and was a wonderful person to talk to, so giving of himself as a councillor,” she said.
“The major issues facing council is the blow out in engineering projects and most things that they do go over budget.
“They need to curb spending and stop blowouts.
“Workers morale is very low we need to have thinking workers not being told every little step, if they go out to fix pot holes then fix the ones not on the list also if in the same area.”
Judy Lee
BORN and raised in Stanthorpe, Judy Lee was educated at Stanthorpe State Primary and High Schools with senior studies Warwick State High School. She was awarded a scholarship and studied Home Economics at Teachers’ College, Brisbane before returning to teach at Stanthorpe State High School.
She has had a long and happy association and teaching career at St Joseph’s School, Stanthorpe and still has a strong connection with St Joseph’s today, currently serving as the St Joseph’s Alumni President.
“I have valued many leadership opportunities with husband David through his Rotary membership – special note is work with and for the people of Fiji,” she said.
“David and I have two children – Cassandra and Clayton, both married with families in the Brisbane area.
“I espouse strong Christian values and will bring three themes to my service with the Southern Downs Regional Council – Act with Integrity; Serve with Love and Work for Peace.
“I have a special empathy with the Southern Downs Region, part of which, Stanthorpe, has been my home since birth.
“I would embrace the opportunity to be part of the decision making processes in resolving the current council issues and promoting the future growth of our region.”
“I consider the biggest challenge will be the final choice of the people – the governing body – the mayor, hopefully with strong effective experienced leadership skills and the eight councillors who will need to work cohesively with their collective individual skills in addressing the serious issues voiced by the people (financial, rates, water, wastage),” she said.
