Coast entering a critical stage, says mayoral candidate
Min Swan said a key to her successful business strategic work had been setting a vision and bringing people along with change.
by Janine Hill
MAYORAL candidate Min Swan has described feeling a “responsibility” as a long-term Sunshine Coast resident to run for the region’s top job.
The businesswoman has joined Montville’s Wayne Parcell, community identity Ashley Robinson, television presenter Rosanna Natoli, sitting councillor Jason O’Pray, and council critic Michael Burgess in nominating to fill the vacancy which will be left by Mark Jamieson, who has announced he will step down at the March local government elections.
“I’m a long-time Sunshine Coast local – 30 years – and I believe that the next four years, in particular, but the next four, eight, 12 years, are critical to the future of the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Swan said.
“When I was watching the rumours of who was going to nominate, and as they were nominating, I felt I had a responsibility to put myself out there.
Corporate experience
“I have all of the corporate experience and the small business experience, I believe, to manage the board – the councillors.”
“It wasn’t something on my radar. It wasn’t something I intended to do. But we really need the next four years to be in the hands of a rational, level-headed person who understands the views of all residents.”
Ms Swan, of Buderim, has run her own events management company, White House International, for the past 15 years and chairs the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network.
The business handles company launches, conferences, council functions, mayoral balls, as well as “back-end” operations for eight chambers of commerce from Cooroy, in the Noosa shire, south to Kawana.
Originally from Bendigo, Victoria, Ms Swan moved with her parents to the Sunshine Coast when she was 16 and became vice-captain at Maroochydore High a year later.
She was running a financial planning firm with her then-husband at 21 and after growing that business, was approached to handle strategic planning for a corporate organisation.
Vision, consultation the keys
Ms Swan said a key to her successful strategic work had been setting a vision and bringing people along with change.
She hoped to do the same on the Sunshine Coast but was aware people felt they were not being heard.
“I don’t have any ideas about why they aren’t being heard but I would make it a priority to understand that more,” she said
“For example, in the hinterland, I can see the enormous opportunities that particularly the Range has. It’s really about bringing everyone on board and making sure they feel heard.”
Ms Swan emphasised her experience in small and big business and dealings with businesses and organisations on the Coast would stand her in good stead as mayor.
“I know what it’s like to do 4am wages, to start in a corporation and draw up a strategy and go to meetings and talk to the CEO, and I can talk to the man in the street.”
Breadth and depth of knowledge
“I am a long-term local with a breadth and depth of knowledge across the Sunshine Coast.”
Ms Swan said her staff and clients were supportive of her mayoral intentions and options were in place should she be successful on election day.
A mum of two children aged 10 and six, she said she had support, particularly from her parents, and was confident she could manage the role of mayor without affecting her children.
“It’s that old adage: if you want to get a job done, ask a busy person,” she said.