A prominent businesswoman connected to a range of community groups has announced she will run for mayor at next year’s Sunshine Coast Council elections.
Min Swan said her business background, community focus and passion for the region made her well placed to take on the top job.
“With the Sunshine Coast firmly planted on the world stage over the next nine years in the lead-up to the Olympic and Paralympics Games in 2032, I know that the next four years are critical to fighting for the Sunshine Coast to balance the needs of the local community with the opportunities that exist for growth, especially regarding infrastructure, public transport, accessibility and diversity,” she said.
Ms Swan has been an active member of more than 10 committees and organisations in the region.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
She started her first business as a 21-year-old, in financial services, before taking on a corporate strategy role in Sydney.
Ms Swan returned to the Sunshine Coast in 2009 to start event management agency White House International.
Since her return to the Sunshine Coast, the former Maroochydore High School vice-captain has worked with charity organisations and not-for-profits across the region, raising considerable funds for community groups, developing strategy and influencing collaboration.
Ms Swan said she wanted a bright and opportunity-filled future for the region.
“Raising two children has heightened my desire to have an impact in ensuring the liveability and sustainability of the Sunshine Coast lifestyle that is balanced with providing our business community and their employees with the incomes and benefits they deserve,” she said.
Ms Swan said she was passionate about activating the region’s ageing population.
“My dad is 72 and a very active contributor to the community,” she said.
“I believe there is an untapped pool of knowledge and lived experience that can contribute to creative solutions that might lead to solving the social issues we face.”
If successful, Ms Swan plans to activate the Sunshine Coast community from coast to hinterland with communication and engagement, seeking strong relationships with the elected councillor of each division.
“The momentum created over the past 12 years and the hard work of the entire Sunshine Coast community needs an advocate that is prepared to show up and support future generations,” she said.
She said she was a proud local and she implored the public to think about the person they want representing them at a state, national and international level.
“My vast business background in negotiation and change management, coupled with my genuine interest in connecting people for the greater good, I believe places me in good stead to represent the Sunshine Coast in a collaborative and productive way,” she said.
With her corporate and small business leadership experience, Ms Swan said she was used to hard work and she was equipped to help the region to leverage the opportunities that allow for the growth of wages and attract much-needed talent to the Sunshine Coast.
“With my natural love of people and the region we live in, as well as my business acumen and inner strength to fight for what we need, I feel a responsibility to use my voice to represent the greater good of all,” she said.
Ms Swan said she intended to lead a grassroots groundswell campaign, providing locals with the opportunity to get involved.
She joins newsreader Rosanna Natoli, councillor Jason O’Pray, law expert Wayne Parcell and social media critic Michael Burgess as prospective candidates for the mayor’s job, after Mark Jamieson steps down.
Subscribe to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
