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.

Much-loved royalist and community stalwart farewelled

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most recognised royal-watchers and dedicated community volunteers has passed away at the age of 84. June Upton is being remembered More

Athletes from across globe to tackle endurance event

Almost 2000 competitors are set to take on a testing Sunshine Coast event that is expected to boost the local economy by millions of More

Photo of the day: poking through

"My favourite kind of drama," writes Katzinka Tschierschky of this photo taken at Peregian Beach. If you have a photo of the day offering, email More

$9m penthouse sale sets record in coveted area

A $9 million deal for a penthouse has set a record for apartments in a prized area of the Sunshine Coast. The Lorient Penthouse at More

Police operation targets anti-social behaviour by youths

Police have launched an operation to prevent and disrupt disorderly behaviour by young people on the Sunshine Coast. Officers from the Tactical Crime Squad, Child More

Cruising in style: two-storey floating venue opens

A new floating venue offering a ‘nautical chic’ experience has begun cruising a popular waterway. The Boat Mooloolaba operates along the Mooloolah River, offering sunset 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