Here is a list of all the teams and ungrouped candidates for the next Byron Shire Council election – this will help those wanting to select below the line.
GREENS
Cr Sarah Ndiaye – Mayoral Candidate
She has already served two terms on the Council and was elected when Simon Richardson won the mayor’s race. She is a nice person and a hard worker. Some would say it is her turn—the Kamala Harris of Byron Council.
Elia Hauge
Elia is a water engineer and, if elected, will be the youngest person on council. Possibly the only one under 40.
Delta Kay
You cannot get more local than Delta. Born in Byron Shire and is a proud Arakwal Bundjalung woman. Does a spirited Welcome to Country and leads local tours in Byron Shire explaining local aboriginal heritage and lore.
Michelle Lowe
Michelle is also a local Bundjalung woman, a high school teacher at Byron Bay High, and an academic.
Nell Schofield (New addition to the team)
Nell Schofield is a long-time member of the NSW Greens. She is the daughter of Leo Schofield, a well-known Sydney arts and cultural commentator. Nell has also been highly active in the arts as an actor, screenwriter, writer, radio presenter. She is also a surfer and is fondly remembered in her role in the 1981 film Puberty Blues.
LABOR
Cr Asren Pugh – Mayoral Candidate
Asren lives in Bangalow and has been on council only in this last short term. He runs the Byron Bay Muesli company which is based in the Byron Bay Industrial Estate. He has an interesting family lineage. His grandfather, Clifton Pugh was an award-winning artist and most famous for the distinctive official portrait of Gough Whitlam. Father Dailan Pugh has been a prominent environmental activist for many decades.
Janet Swain
Janet is a singer, songwriter, choir director, and singing teacher. Her brother Andrew is also into choirs and conducts the well-known Dustyeskys. Janet lives in Ocean Shores and intends to be a strong advocate for the north of the shire, which can often seem overlooked.
Cr Mark Swivel
Mark is a lawyer and principal of Barefoot Law, a community law practice. He is also a writer and performer. He was elected a councillor at the last election. He is president of Eureka FC and a director at Spaghetti Circus. He is often heard on local ABC radio as a musical commentator and once appeared on Late Night Live with Philip Adams, who gave him a Koala Stamp.
Pete Doherty
Peter lives in Bangalow and works in aged care. He is also an ex union official.
Linda Lascelles Watson
Linda is a consultant in early childhood education and holds Master of Education from Sydney University. She lives in Byron with her husband and has adult daughters.
Diana James
Dr Diana James is an Honorary Research Fellow at the School of Humanities and Arts at ANU. Her research focus is the Indigenous song, story and dance of the Western Desert. Since 1975, she has worked as an applied anthropologist, fluent in Pitjantjatjara, with the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) people.e.
INDEPENDENT
Jack Dods
Jack Dods has a Bachelor of Design in Architecture, a Master of Architecture, and an Urban Design Special Program from Columbia University, NY. Jack has been active in the local council as well as in Sydney. Jack has been active in the local council, such as the Byron Bay Master Plan Committee.
David Michie
David Michie lives in South Golden Beach and has lived in Byron Shire for 18 years. He has a background in technology and advocates for bike paths, walkable town centres and better urban design. He is active in the community and sat on the Byron Bay Master Plan Committee and Byron Council Transport Committee.
Meredith Wray
Meredith is a regional tourism expert who works with governments, industry and communities across Australia to influence the sustainable development, management and marketing of tourism. She was originally number two on Michael Lyon’s Independent team.
Dr Niamh (Pronounced Neeve) Dove
Dr Dove lives in Eureka with her husband and young 6-month-old child. She is a GP.
INDEPENDENTS
Michael Lyon is the current mayor of Byron Shire and previously served as a councillor and the manager at Santos Organics, Mullumbimby. He has accountant and management qualifications. Please see the accompanying story about his switch from the independent team. Michael continues to be a mayoral candidate.
Max Foggon is a bass player at Ragga Jump and former Assistant entertainment manager at Beach Hotel, Byron Bay. Has studied for a Bachelor of Contemporary Music at SCU.
Rhett Holt is the CEO of The Empire Super Fund.
Jeannette Martin has served as a Byron Shire Councillor under Simon Richardon’s mayoral term. She was elected as a Greens candidate. She has been closely linked to the Mullumbimby Community Gardens and is an active community member of Mullumbimby.
INDEPENDENTS
David Warth has a career as a wildlife cinematographer. He ran as an independent candidate in the last federal election for the seat of Richmond. David contested the medical establishment’s traditional stance on the rollout of the COVID-19 response.
Susan Maree FIGGIS – unkown.
Patricia (Trisha) Gizas Barker has volunteered at Bay FM since January 2012 and was a Candidate at Southern Cross University. She has attained a Masters Degree in Business (MBA) at Tweed Heads.
Nicholas Jeanes is a long-term local resident. He was highly involved and a prominent presenter with Bay FM community radio station before stepping down due to his stance on the pandemic.
UNGROUPED CANDIDATES
Lucy Vader is an artist who lives in Mullumbimby.