100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Ashley Robinson: local election highlights the lack of interest people have in politics

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Residents push for electorate boundaries shift

Residents within multiple towns are pushing for some state electorate boundaries to be moved to better reflect their local interests. Community members have called for More

New Monopoly edition showcases Sunshine Coast icons

Sunshine Coast residents can now 'buy, trade and sell' their favourite local landmarks in a new version of Monopoly. Players can land on Mount Coolum More

‘Grey spots’ spark call for phone network upgrades

A leading economic development group is urging Sunshine Coast Council to fast-track mobile telecommunications infrastructure, citing widespread reception problems across the region. The call from More

Photo of the day: sea shells

Helen Browne demonstrated a creative eye in offering this singular perspective of Mooloolaba Beach. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au More.

Plea for positivity as beach car park removal nears

A business group that initially opposed a proposal to overhaul a foreshore and remove a prominent car park is now urging people to 'be More

High-profile site with development approval for sale

A large site with development approval near the heart of the Sunshine Coast is on the market. The 3589sqm property at 2-10 Maroochy Boulevard – More

Well, folks, like a bad penny, I am back after a three-month sabbatical brought on by my deluded idea of becoming mayor of the Sunshine Coast Council.

It was not to be, even though I have to thank about 50,000 kind people who voted for me.

I was outgunned by Rosanna Natoli, who ran a very impressive campaign.

Now, the reason I had to stop writing this column was that it was deemed to be an unfair advantage over the other candidates, depending on how you look at it.

There were six candidates and I came second but, unlike the upcoming Olympics, there is no silver medal – even though some folk thought that if you came second, you got to be deputy mayor (no, what you get is a donut).

That amazed me somewhat – the fact people thought that could happen.

Ashley Robinson threw his hat in the ring.

It did highlight to me the lack of interest people actually have in politics.

Since March 16 and to this very day, I still have people asking how I went, am I mayor and, if not, who is?

I must say, I have learnt a lot since January when this all started, as I have also left my place of employment for 14 years at Alex Surf Club.

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.

As far as the election went, I never got abused as much as I thought I would – well, not to me face, anyway.

I was really surprised about how many people helped and supported me and it was like having a funeral but still being alive.

One of Ashley’s roadside election campaign signs.

It was quite nice, to be honest.

I learnt about the multitude of good people out there and thankfully a small number of people that I thought were honest but turned out to be people who would do or say anything to derail me.

They will be disappointed that they didn’t lose my election: I probably just wasn’t good enough.

Now, I have been married for 41 years and I now know how I have done that: I haven’t been home much.

So, I have some stories to share about being home with Old Mate.

By the way, my column is now every two weeks.

Lucky I never came third as it might have been every three weeks, or worse?

Love being back!

Ashley Robinson is chairman of Sunshine Coast Falcons and Sunshine Coast Thunder Netball and a lifetime Sunshine Coast resident.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share