“Almost all of my family were or are in the Walcha Shire,” he said.

“I started my schooling at Walcha Central, and I have been in Walcha all of my life apart from a couple of years when I worked in WA and the NT.”

Keeping the Walcha Council as a strong, well run local government area inspired Mr Kermode to stand for election.

“I have a desire to be involved in making the Walcha Council relevant and agile enough to be a model council in the future,” he said.

“There are many facets to the modern Walcha Council. I think the main priority is to ensure that the Council is well managed and financial enough to deliver all the diverse services that are required now and well into the future.”

Currently, President of the Walcha Squash Club; secretary/treasurer of the Walcha Gun Club and director of the Walcha Telecottage Mr Kermode was also a committee member of the Walcha Rugby Club for 15 years.

“For most of my working life I have been a small business owner and manager,” he said. 

“I think I understand the needs of business operators in the Walcha area and I have had the benefit of living on the boundary of two councils, observing the strengths and weaknesses of both.”

Having worked in Local Government for a short while during the ill-fated New England Strategic Alliance of Councils (NESAC)  Mr Keromde says the experience was significant particularly for the way it confirmed to him the disastrous effects amalgamation would have on Walcha Council.

“I believe the Walcha Council needs to continue to deliver a diverse range of services from a position of financial strength. Council needs to plan efficiently for the future and consult with the community while maintaining the sort of relationship with State Government that ensures we remain independent,” he said.