An ex-national team coach and recipient of an Australia Day honour has revealed he intends to vie for local government again.
Former Wallabies coach John Connolly told Sunshine Coast News he was eager to return to Sunshine Coast Council after serving from 2016 to 2020.
The 74-year-old was recently appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM), for significant service to rugby union as coach and mentor.
He oversaw the national team from 2006 to 2008 and coached the Queensland Reds from 1989 to 2000. He also coached several professional teams around Australia and Europe.
After retirement as a coach, Mr Connolly was elected as the Division 4 councillor for a term.
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He then made an unsuccessful bid for the Maroochydore seat in state parliament, as an independent in 2020. It was won by long-term representative Fiona Simpson.
He was then unsuccessful in his attempt to rejoin council in 2024, when he scored 38 per cent of the vote, finishing behind Joe Natoli after preferences.
Mr Connolly said he’s determined to run again.
“I’m going to get ready for the next council elections (in 2028),” he said.
“To get into a job like that you need a vision for the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Connolly said that “the area has gone backwards” and he wanted to help drive it forward.
“We’re increasing by 8000 people a year and we’re very underprepared for that in terms of infrastructure, jobs and accommodation,” he said.
More than 518,000 people are expected to call the Sunshine Coast home by 2041.
Mr Connolly said he “enjoyed” his last stint as a councillor.
“I had four years, and we achieved a great deal,” he said.
“We did a tremendous amount and spent millions of dollars, but it hasn’t been taken any further with hotels, and roads in and out.”
Mr Connolly suffered a fall in 2021 and is now in a wheelchair with a limited range of movement.
“I have good days and bad days but I’m okay,” he said.
