NEWS & VIEWS – COUNCILLORS QUESTIONNAIRE

NAME : KERRIE CHRISTIAN  –  WARD : 1

1. How many terms on Council : 3
2. What made you want to become a councillor – I wanted to give back something back to the community rather than just complain and I believed  that council should not be dominated by only major political parties and business groups – ie more community /environmental minded people should play a role in leading council. Dave Martin planted a seed when he asked me to consider standing for council back in 1984 when I was involved with youth and resident action groups – although I didn’t pursue it until 1989.

Note – Dad was an ex-Drover and wasn’t really political – but  my mother-in-law had worked for a State MP, I also had worked for relatives of the late Alderman Rube Hargrave (first Thirroul woman  elected to Wollongong Council)  and as a child in the 1960’s I lived next to the noted Thirroul environmentalist & ornithologist Doug Gibson – so I was exposed to some interesting influences early on. Also, letters written in the 1860’s by my great, great, great grandfather James Hicks, a farmer, as he lobbied the NSW government of the day to have a public school established  in Austinmer were inspiring.

1. What would you like to achieve for the city during the next term of  council – creation of an escarpment park, see the city’s re-imaging strategy achieved to create more employment opportunities and an even better lifestyle for not only my ward, but the whole city, ensure that people from all walks of life are able to access council facilities and participate in planning their city’s  future, a better environment.
2. What issues are you passionate about – creation of an Escarpment Park, more community participation in planning the city’s future, seeing Wollongong University grow in reputation  (I’m also on the University Council), a better environment – especially as we such special city  boundaries – the Escarpment, Pacific Ocean, Royal  National Park and Lake Illawarra.
3. Occupation other than councillor – I am a /metallurgist/materials engineer at BHP – I lead a team of 7 other professionals/paraprofessionals who are involved in enhancing iron/steel production equipment reliability and reducing maintenance costs.

1. Your favourite place in Wollongong – anywhere along the Escarpment  – the Coalcliff-Clifton bends being the most stunning part
2. Best thing about attending Committee/Council meetings – working with committed people from across the community, and not just Wollongong’s “glitterati /movers & shakers”,  to  achieve a better Wollongong
3. Worst thing about attending Committee/Council/Community meetings – meetings  come with the territory of being a councillor – so really you shouldn’t be complaining too much about them – but I guess that I prefer those that finish before 11.00pm – I regret I don’t have much time for textile crafts any more.
4. What you’re reading right now – Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People”,  Scott Adams’ “Dilbert – Journey into Cubeville” &  Harriet Rubin’s  “The Princessa”- (a feminist’s reply to Macchiavelli’s The Prince) – I devour paperback fiction during holiday periods, ie  John Grisham etc
5. Favourite all time movie –  “Giant” starring James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor & Rock Hudson  – a real classic yarn – with clashes of cultures – oil wells vs farming , white Americans and Hispanics, family tensions between East Coasters and Midwesterners  – I’m not sure when it was made as I’ve only ever seen it on late night TV re-runs – but I always find it an amazing saga
6. Favourite song/album – any of Tony Childs’ albums
7. Any gripes – too often Local Government is taken for granted by State and Federal governments when it comes to funding – especially when we have been traditionally a safe Labour area. – we need to become more marginal to get a better deal
8. What is your secret indulgence – being able to sleep in at the weekend sometimes
9. What is one thing that you can’t go more than a day without – the first cup of coffee in the morning at work – even if it’s decaffeinated
10. What do the Olympics and Paralympics mean to you – I’m looking forward to a focus on the inspiring efforts and performances of  Olympic & Paralympic Athletes instead of the media’s unending predilection with the Politics of the Games – and to attending a few events with my family. Back in 1992 and 1996 I suggested to Matt Waugh that we invite our local athletes to Barcelona and Atlanta to dinner with the Council – it was really great to see them appreciate the City’s recognition of their Olympic Team selection – I hope to see this is repeated again later this year
11. Family Members – Husband David, an  IT Project Manager and Katrina , 6,  who just loves life
12. Do you have any furry, feathered (or other) friends who share your home – a budgie – David & Katrina also insist I mention the frogs & tadpoles in the rock pond – the frogs have great croaking competitions in wet weather – seems to be some sort of mating ritual which can make sleeping at night difficult with the din
13. If you had a time machine and could travel forwards or backwards to any time, where would your go – what would you do there – I’d like to travel forward to 2100 – and see what an even more beautiful city that Wollongong had become  – a clean, green, vibrant place with its Escarpment Park, great facilities for locals and visitors