Hi I’m Shae Salmon, a longtime local resident and mum of three lovely children who were all born and raised in Lismore. I am fortunate to live in a rural village experiencing the beauty of our countryside day to day.

As a wildlife lover I am passionate about preserving and nurturing our wild creatures and their habitats. We once had many koalas in our area but to my dismay I have noticed a marked decrease in their numbers over the years. We need to turn this around by making sensible decisions at all levels of government with the aim to preserve and protect what little old growth habitat remains for current populations and increase koala health and numbers by planting more food trees and creating corridors.

Development need not come at the cost of natural ecosystems. Our natural environment must be preserved not only for us and future generations but for biodiversity which is a cornerstone for a healthy planet. For 20 years now I have worked as a Law Academic at our local Southern Cross University. It is very important to have regional opportunities for people to work and study at an institution the caliber of SCU. Aside from providing educational opportunity for students the university contributes economically by attracting academics, employees and students to our area who in turn utilise the many services and businesses here in Lismore.

I have always enjoyed being involved with our wonderful creative community having performed and volunteered with the Lismore Theatre Company and The Lantern Parade. In Lismore and surrounds we are alive with the arts, music and events that give our home heart and soul. Supporting our local community radio station 2ncr River FM 92.9 is a wonderful volunteer activity that I have been doing as a presenter for some 4 years and currently as Vice-President of our River FM Committee. We have such an exciting and culturally diverse region, it is a rewarding experience to be engaged with community.

The prosperity and recovery of Lismore and the surrounding villages is of top priority for us all. We need a Council that will see issues such as community consultation and affordable housing as vitally important and work hard to serve all the people of the Lismore district. We have a unique and special area, let’s vote to get the best for our ‘Lovemore’ Lismore.