Voting instructions and candidate statements for George Town 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 George Town 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 10 in order of your choice. Number at least 5 boxes to make your vote count.
For the election of mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 3 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 George Town Council office.
I have grown up in George Town, and continue to raise my family in the George Town municipality. I have served on George Town Council for the previous 4 years. I have a particular focus on good governance procedures and sound financial management. I currently serve on Councils Audit Panel, and successfully moved a motion to see the new aquatic centre constructed in a financially responsible way, saving ratepayers millions of dollars. If elected, I will advocate for appropriate maintenance of our road network, which has faced significant deterioration in recent times. Please vote 1
I am a sole parent of 1 teenage son and 5 rescue hounds, a foster carer, a child and young person’s advocate, and a passionate champion of our community. I am committed to protecting the people, places and way of life that make our region special. We need the right development, in the right place—and Bell Bay is where we should be creating solid jobs and opportunity. Honesty, transparency and genuine inclusion are non-negotiable. Our community must be heard, respected and at the heart of every Council decision. Together, we can achieve a strong, prosperous future for the George Town region.
I grew up in the George Town and Hillwood areas. I currently live in Hillwood. Working in the retail and hospitality industries for over 20 years, and in my own small businesses for over the past 15 years, I feel all of this has given me the varied experiences of life that will help me apply myself to the tasks involved in helping make our community's prosperity a reality. I am currently a committee member of the Hillwood Progress Association, and if given the opportunity by you, the voters, I hope to be able to help grow our municipality into a prosperous community for generations to come.
50 years in George Town. 12 years on Council. Four years as Deputy Mayor. I'm Greg Dawson — a proven community advocate with practical experience, strong relationships and a record of delivering. I'm proud of helping move Council from deficit to six consecutive surplus budgets and advocating for our new Aquatic Centre. I'll fight for Bell Bay jobs and investment, better education and employment pathways for our young people, more housing, supporting local workers and small business, improved transport access, and responsible financial management. Vote 1 Greg Dawson — Mayor & Councillor 2026.
No candidate statement.
This area has been a constant throughout my life and has always felt like home. Working at Bell Bay Aluminium and serving on its Emergency Response Team has reinforced the importance of teamwork, preparation and making sound decisions under pressure. I support flexible work for families, but not 38 hours pay for 30.4 hours work. I strongly support industry that creates local jobs and benefits our community, but not projects that consume local resources while giving nothing back. I will represent our community through diligent, considered decisions and a strong voice for the next generation.
For 23 years I have led the George Town Neighbourhood House, working closely with our community and building a strong understanding of our municipality. Five years with the Chamber of Commerce and four years around the Council table have broadened that experience. My first term as Councillor has given me a solid foundation and a much greater understanding of the role. I am ready to put that learning and experience to greater use, bringing more knowledge, confidence and perspective to a new term on Council.
Winston Mason Serving our community as a Councillor for the past eight years has given me valuable experience in local government and a strong understanding of the responsibilities of Council leadership. During this time, Council has recorded a surplus every year through careful planning and responsible financial management. With increasing economic challenges ahead, our community will benefit from stability, teamwork, and accountability. Councillors oversee a $17 million organisation, making decisions that support services, infrastructure, and the long-term wellbeing of the community.
For 30 years, successfully running my own business honed my skills in leadership, decision making, practical problem-solving and working with people. Four years as a volunteer, community leader and councillor have deepened my commitment to the George Town Municipality. I am standing for mayor and councillor to ensure every community is heard, valued and represented. I will bring proven judgement, experience, integrity, fresh ideas and a collaborative approach—listening to residents, working constructively with Council and delivering practical solutions that help our communities thrive.
As our municipality navigates major economic change, council must remain financially sustainable while recognising the cost-of-living pressures facing local families. The impacts of industry closure and the opening of the new aquatic centre require prudent leadership and sound decision-making. I bring business qualifications, over a decade of facilities management experience, and shared responsibility for multi-million-dollar budgets. I will contribute practical knowledge, accountability, and a long-term focus to help secure our community's future.
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.