The Echo asked all the Lismore Councillor candidates to send in a bio.
Led by current Councillor Elly Bird, who is running for Mayor – the Our Sustainable Future team is Group E.
Elly Bird
For the last five years on Council Elly Bird has shown her dedication to our community, particularly in her efforts in leading the community recovery from the 2017 floods as the manager of ‘Lismore Helping Hands’. Since then Elly has been a strong advocate for community resilience and regularly presents at conferences to speak about our recovery experience in Lismore.
Elly is deeply committed to sustainability; social justice; protecting the environment; and good governance. She has led Council’s focus on climate resilience; consistently worked towards financial sustainability; and consistently supported and advocated for small business and sustainable development.
Prior to being elected to Council, Elly was a key leader in protecting our region from industrial gasfields, working for five years on the campaign to make the Northern Rivers Gasfield Free including organising two of the biggest rallies ever seen in the Northern Rivers.
With strong communication and relationship skills, Elly has consistently taken leadership roles throughout her professional, and community life. Elly is well respected with strong networks throughout Lismore and its villages, which she first developed during the fifteen years she spent working for Lismore’s signature event, the internationally renowned Lismore Lantern Parade.
Elly is enthusiastic, determined, and focussed on delivering positive outcomes for our community as the next Mayor of Lismore. She is committed to working together with the new Council and with our whole community to build a sustainable future we can be proud of.
Gwen Trimble
With a background in administration and financial markets, Gwen moved to Nimbin from Sydney in 1991. Her first job in the area was on the fledgling free local newspaper The Lismore Echo which exposed her to the concerns of the Lismore community.
After leaving The Lismore Echo she worked for local clothing manufacturer Sunbuster Sportswear for many years.
For the last 15 years or so Nimbin residents know her from her work at the local NRMA office and Nimbin Motors and as a Marriage Celebrant. She currently manages the accounts for Nimbin Emporium and is the Treasurer of the Nimbin Health and Welfare Committee.
Gwen has been actively involved in numerous community causes over the years. She is a member of Lismore Council’s Nimbin Advisory Group; has actively campaigned against coal seam gas mining; supports the Widjabul-Wiabul opposition to the Dunoon Dam; and drove the campaign for Nimbin’s rural water consumers to retain their town water supply.
Now semi-retired, she lives with her partner of 30 years in their off grid, eco-friendly rural home.
Carlos Vieira-Silva
Carlos attained accounting and IT degrees at SCU and has worked as an accountant in various businesses around the LGA for over 27 years.
For the past four years he has managed a busy convenience store in Lismore’s CBD with his partner. Carlos is committed to promoting Lismore City as a vibrant regional centre, while being highly conscious of sustaining our beautiful environment.
Carlos was also a key campaigner in the successful Gasfield Free Northern Rivers community campaign.
Deborah Ray
Deborah is a long term resident, CBD business owner and a well known DJ.
She is an enthusiastic supporter of all things Lismore and is passionate about our environment, our community and our local economy.
She wholeheartedly supports progressive and innovative solutions to society’s challenges both locally and globally.
Jyllie Jackson
Jyllie has lived locally for 47 years and in that time has worked in many community organisations and government departments across health, environment, education, employment, business and the arts.
She is best known as the director of the iconic Lismore Lantern Parade and is deeply committed to building a caring community.
Simon Clough
Simon was the previous OSF Councillor on Lismore City Council for 8 years, was Deputy Mayor, Chair of the Floodplain Mangement Committee and Rous County Councillor.
Simon was also the National Chair of Lock the Gate. Simon has spent nearly 50 years deeply involved in a wide range of community activities.
He is passionate about sustainability and protecting the community from the impacts of climate change.
Recent stories, information and updates regarding the Lismore Elections
Young people will take centre stage in Lismore this Friday when the HalveIt Festival brings student sustainability pitches to decision-makers in what organisers are calling 'part innovation expo, part community festival.' The future of Lismore is now up for discussion, with Council's Strategic Planning Framework currently out for public exhibition. Now is your time to have your say – consultation closes 26 June. The Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens is a calm, quiet, soothing place to stroll, relax, and recharge. Be still and some of the one hundred species of birds will shyly share their beautiful haven with you. Around hundred residents met at the Lismore Quad on Saturday to demand the demolitions of heritage homes cease, the flood recovery promised is delivered, and that every person be housed. Wyrallah and Coraki Roads will soon have 15km of road surface restored, as part of ongoing disaster recovery works across Lismore’s rural road network. Northern Rivers locals and flood-impacted residents will gather in Lismore this Saturday to demand the NSW Reconstruction Authority stop demolishing heritage homes and deliver on broken promises, as community anger at the failed flood recovery reaches a new peak. Parklands, community hubs and environmental projects are some of the new options allowed for floodplains left vacant after the removal of ‘buyback’ houses on the Northern Rivers. In the latest version of the classic Tennessee Williams play, audiences are invited to step back in time to 1937 St Louis. Improved stormwater flow in rural areas has been a key focus for Lismore City Council over the past 12 months, as part of its commitment to building a stronger, more connected region following the 2022 natural disasters. A 29-year-old man is to face Lismore Local Court next month accused with stealing petrol.
Lismore students pitch sustainability projects
Consultation closes Friday on Lismore’s 60,000 population plans
Lismore Rainforest Botanic Gardens – where health grows
Lismore rallies to save homes from demolition
Major repairs for Lismore roads
Community to rally against ‘relentless’ RA house demolitions
Future of Northen Rivers floodplains to be decided
Rochdale theatre brings The Glass Menagerie to life
Council restores rural drainage across Lismore LGA
Man accused of stealing petrol more than 15 times
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