She’s already amassed a range of experience in community advocacy in her other roles, and felt she could be doing more on a representative level to champion the broader needs of rural and regional communities.
Her decision to stand at this year’s local government elections — which will see locals go to the polls on December 4 — was also inspired by what she could see needed more attention at a council level.
‘‘I want to serve our community and make a difference,’’ Mrs Fawns said.
‘‘I believe in open and transparent community, and I believe we have some truly amazing communities in Edward River. The villages and rural areas, in particular, must get the attention they deserve.
‘‘A lot of the recent council initiatives have been very town (Deniliquin) centric. It is important to have an inclusive approach not just to the township, but the villages and rural areas as well.
‘‘I’m also passionate about improving our region in a number of areas, including health, education and economic development.
‘‘I am particularly concerned about the lack of housing in our area, and I can see this issue of homelessness becoming a far greater problem.
‘‘I am also concerned about the mental health of our people as a result of this housing crisis — we have some families who are not having their basic needs met, and it’s really frightening.
‘‘Council has often said it wants to increase our population and our industry, and in that case we need to really do something about it. We cannot expand if there is not enough housing.
‘‘I’m standing for council because we need to see more people stand up and show leadership in these areas, and in others.’’
If elected on December 4, Mrs Fawns will bring a wealth of experience to the council chambers.
Her professional background is in finance, coming to Deniliquin with the National Australia Bank 13 years ago.
She then ‘‘fell in love with and married a farmer’’, and alongside her husband Steve Fawns has helped run the family farm — the Sabre Poll Dorset Stud, traditional cropping and offering high risk licence training.
Her life on the farm has led Mrs Fawns to be a strong advocate for agriculture, particularly in the water availability sphere.
She was secretary/treasurer of West Berriquin Irrigators for four years, and was a founding committee member of the Speak Up Campaign.
Mrs Fawns has also provided administration support to the Murray Regional Strategy Group and she is also still actively involved in the Ricegrowers Association of Australia’s Industry & Affairs Committee, which develops policies for the RGA central executive.
‘‘I not only have a background in finance, but also in running a farm business, as well as community advocacy,’’ Mrs Fawns said.
‘‘It means I have an understanding of the corporate world, human resources management and in workplace culture that I could bring to council.
‘‘I am a firm believer in a strong culture in any organisation.’’
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