Voting instructions and candidate statements for Break O'Day Council.
Voting is compulsory. Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026
Don’t delay – late votes won’t be counted!
There are 3 elections being held for Break O'Day Council:
As well as this booklet, your postal ballot pack contains:
Your ballot paper envelope is designed to keep your identity separate from your vote.
Successful candidates for mayor and deputy mayor must also be elected as councillors to be able to accept these offices. The elected councillors, mayor and deputy mayor will serve until October 2030.
Questions? Call 1800 801 701.
Postal services take a number of days, so it is important to complete and return your vote now.
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 27 October 2026.
Don’t delay, late votes can’t be counted. Failure to vote may incur a fine.
Follow these five easy steps:
Candidates were invited to provide a statement and photo for your consideration. Statements are reproduced here as provided by the candidate.
Statements appear in alphabetical order but the order of names on ballot papers is rotated.
Number the boxes on each ballot paper from 1 onwards in the order of your choice.
For the election of 7 councillors, number the boxes from 1 to 11 in order of your choice. Number at least 5 boxes to make your vote count.
For the election of mayor, number the boxes 1 and 2 in order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
For the election of deputy mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 4 in the order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
Put your completed ballot papers in the ballot paper envelope, which is the smaller envelope with the wider flap, and seal it securely.
Sign your ballot paper envelope in the box on the flap to declare that you are the voter named on this envelope and you have voted on the ballot papers in this envelope. You must sign the envelope and leave the flap attached — or your vote won’t be counted. The returning officer will remove the flap with your details on it before opening the envelope.
Then put your ballot paper envelope in the reply-paid envelope — the larger envelope — and seal it.
Post your reply paid envelope straight away (no stamp needed), or take your vote to the Break O'Day Council office.
I have been a lifelong resident of Fingal and, although I now live in St Helens, I remain strongly connected to the Valley. Through my work and community involvement, including as Manager of Fingal Valley Neighbourhood House, I understand local people, places and priorities. I believe Council decisions should be guided by good governance, transparency, accountability, merit, and fair consideration of all voices. I will listen, act independently, and work with integrity, respect and genuine commitment. I ask for your support to represent our community and help strengthen its future.
I found the 2022-26 term on Council a steep learning curve. I discovered a lot more about the beautiful places across Break O Day. I was challenged by the nuances of governance and inspired by the strength of collaboration. A significant demographic aged above 60 and too many people across Break O Day doing it tough needs greater consideration. I am energized by the rich diversity of our area as well as the incredible resourcefulness and kindness of many of our residents. If elected I will strive to ensure every voice is heard and our special place thrives.
Serving as Councillor for nearly eight years and Deputy Mayor for four, this term has been about working collaboratively to deliver real progress for our community. My strengths are active listening, direct advocacy, and an unwavering drive to achieve the best outcomes for everyone. I always focus on strong teamwork to champion key priorities: road safety, expanded housing growth, better aged care and support services, local business development, and circular economy options. Local government works best through direct, transparent hard work. I will keep being a BRAVE voice for Break O'Day.
I’m a Councilor. I care for people and place and protect what we love. It’s a privilege to represent you. I’ve spent my life advocating for social justice, equity, a safe climate and protecting nature. We are in a cost of living, ecological, climate, health and housing crisis. We need to build strong, resilient, caring, connected communities that will protect us from these challenges and be places where people thrive. I will strive to do this and prioritize accountability, openness, equity, inclusivity, dialogue, transparency and kindness. It’s time for change, and I’m up for the challenge
I live in St. Helens with my beautiful partner Su and dedicate much of my time to Council, volunteering, fishing and enjoying our pristine environment. As the Council rep. for East Coast Tourism, Audit Panel, Tender Committee and Mental Health and being a true local with extensive networks I work and advocate strongly for our area. Our infrastructure needs and delivery of quality affordable services are a priority and must be tackled with a proactive and positive mind set. My non-negotiables are; making informed, non-political decisions blended with common sense, care and affordability.
I’m asking for your support to continue serving the Break O’Day community as your Councillor. I have lived in Break O’Day all my life and understand our towns , our people and the challenges we face. Over the past four years as a Councillor, I have worked hard to listen, be available and represent our community fairly. I strongly support local business, local jobs and practical decisions that help our communities grow. Most importantly, I have time for people. I will listen to questions and work hard for everyone. I would value your vote.
Vote 1 Hamish Thompson for a Fresh Perspective for Break O’Day. I stand for integrity, fairness and community. I’ll represent the whole of Break O’ Day: from our farms, mines, forests, valleys, rural and seaside towns. I’ll bring optimism and steely determination to the role. I have a strong track record in global marketing, communications and grass-roots campaigning, and for successfully fighting for fairness. At the cafe I co-run in Fingal I hear hundreds of people’s stories each week. I am listening. I will amplify your voices. A vote for me is a vote for all of us.
I’m St Helens born and bred, and I’m proud to call Break O’Day home. I’m married with two adult daughters, own and operate the St Helens Newsagency, and currently serve as President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania. I’m committed to continuing to lead a strong, caring and practical Council that works for everyone across Break O’Day. I want Council to remain positive, approachable and open for business—supporting responsible development and investment that creates local jobs, strengthens our economy and improves people’s lives, no matter where they live in our municipality.
I will promote an open, accountable, responsive & efficient Council. I oppose ribbon development along the coast and support protection of Break O’Day’s natural resources. I support a cautionary approach to global warming impacts. I will support more affordable, diverse and efficient housing. My background is Environmental Design and Civil Engineering. I have worked in state governments developing energy conservation policies. I am coordinator of Friends of Falmouth Foreshore. Helped save St Marys Exhibition Building from demolition. I helped build the Winifred Curtis Reserve boardwalk, twice
I’m a local born candidate committed to respectful leadership and thoughtful decision making based on community needs, merit and long-term sustainability. Any development must be to our overall benefit not detriment. I believe we can support economic growth and responsible development while protecting the environment we all value. I’ve demonstrated this commitment through our successful 2018 campaign against the Bay of Fires dive wreck. I have experience in banking, retail and property management, I now work in my dream job with Libraries Tasmania. Our community, our environment, our future!
I fell in love with the Break O' Day area whilst on holiday in mid 2010, and decided to move here in the December. I found the people and the beauty of the environment difficult not to like. I got to know a lot of people through volunteer work. I felt very accepted in the community, and was elected into council after being here only 4 years, in the 2014 election. We have seen lots of change in that time, but the natural beauty remains. I would feel very honored to be able to continue to work with this community for another 4 years, in the capacity of Councilor and hopefully Deputy Mayor.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission (TEC) publishes candidate statements and photographs under section 284 of the Local Government Act 1993. It does so in line with published requirements determined by the Commission, which apply equally to all candidates.
Statements and photographs are optional and must meet the published requirements for inclusion. Each candidate is allocated the same amount of space, whether or not a statement or photograph appears.
Statements are the candidates’ own words, and they are responsible for their content and accuracy. The TEC does not verify factual claims or endorse what a candidate says.
The TEC makes only limited, standard changes needed for consistent publication of candidate statements and photographs. It does not otherwise correct, rewrite or alter a candidate statement, or change a candidate’s appearance.
If a statement or photograph does not meet the approved requirements for publication, the TEC contacts the candidate and, where publication timelines allow, gives them one opportunity to provide a replacement.