Mayor Ben Hall is 5th generation and has lived in Quilpie his whole life. His career began working in Retail at a family run news agency business for 20 years, then commencing as Branch manager in 2014 at Nutrien Ag Solutions.
Ben has previously been a Councillor from 2004-2008. Ben’s motivation to run for Mayor is his passion for all things Quilpie Shire having lived and raised a family in the community.
Ben’s key focus is on the economic outcome in our community and would like to expand on and look for more initiatives and encourage new enterprises that will deliver more jobs and greater economic return for our communities 365 days a year. He would like to open more opportunities to promote regional growth, commercial opportunities, sustainability and equality for our people from locals to opportunity seekers, whilst continuing to upgrade and improve infrastructure including roads and childcare and advocate for the availability of all health services from pre-natal to palliative care.
Roger has lived in Quilpie for 32 years, having moved to Quilpie from “Berndale” north of Oakey, in January 1992 to commence his career as the Manual Arts teacher at Quilpie State College. In 1993, he joined the Quilpie Auxillary Fire Brigade and has been captain since 1995.
Roger has served as a Councillor on the Quilpie shire since 2016 and has been elected Deputy Mayor for the 2024-2028 term.
During his time as Councillor, Roger has seen significant growth and advancements within the shire and is very proud to work with a progressive and supportive team.
This term, Roger would like to continue to support the development and maintenance of essential community infrastructure including roads, childcare, housing, the completion of the Eromanga Natural History Museum. Roger would also like to see Council assist with technology advancements for rural landholders, management of wild dogs, opportunities to showcase cultural heritage within the shire and the creation of job opportunities including attracting more families and visitors and increasing our shire population.
Originally from a farming and grazing family in the Wallumbilla district, Lyn Barnes first came to the Quilpie Shire in the mid-1970s as a governess. At the start of the 1980s after working as bookkeeper on the legendary Thylungra Station, Lyn returned to Roma where she became a radio journalist and married Jack, having two sons. In 1990 they moved as a family to settle in Quilpie.
Here Lyn began her career as an artist, learning to paint at workshops with the Quilpie Cultural Society before setting up a studio in Robbo’s Opal Shop as an outlet.
Always interested in regional growth, an opportunity arose for her with the then South West Regional Economic Development Association. As an economic development officer covering the four shires of Quilpie, Bulloo, Paroo and Murweh, Lyn spent several years working on projects such as OBE Beef, The South West Film Locations Register and the opening of Hell Hole Gorge. SWRED is now known as the South West Regional Organisation of Councils (SWROC) and has expanded to include both Maranoa and Balonne Regional Councils. Lyn has maintained her interest in regional economic development through her role as a Quilpie Shire Councillor.
At the end of the 1990s and encouraged by her work in economic development, Lyn set up her own arts business and opened her first gallery in the Old Quilpie Telephone Exchange behind the Quilpie Post Office. The Lyn Barnes Gallery is now located in Sommerfield Road where locals and visitors are able view current works as well as those in progress. Lyn frequently hosts tour groups and painting workshops at her gallery, making it part of Quilpie’s ever expanding tourism product. She has exhibited on an annual basis in Brisbane and more recently on the Sunshine Coast for over 25 years.
This will be Lyn’s second term as Councillor and she appreciates the opportunity to represent the Quilpie Shire community again. This term Lyn would like to see the continuation of investment in housing, the building of a new childcare facility, upgrading of shire road networks, the creation of a remote tertiary education centre and continuing advocacy work to sustain the vital resource industries of oil, gas and opal, as well as providing ongoing support of the pastoral industry, the cornerstone of Shire wealth.
Of particular interest to Lyn is the completion of the Eromanga Natural History Museum. ENHM has already increased the visitor numbers to Quilpie Shire more than significantly, creating jobs and enhancing business. A finished ENHM will not only benefit the Quilpie Shire but will be a substantial contributor to Queensland’s overall attraction of international tourists.
Lyn is honoured to serve as an elected member of the Quilpie Shire Council and welcomes the opportunity to promote Quilpie Shire as a centre for outback excellence.
Tony has lived and worked in remote communities all of his life and came to reside in Quilpie in the year 1986 and has been a resident since.
Tony began driving machinery for the Quilpie Shire Council, and after 6 years progressed to overseeing construction of many shire roads in the district. After 12.5 years on the council, he then ventured into the trucking industry. It was around this time, Tony bought a house in Quilpie which has remained in to this day.
Firstly carting cattle for 6.5 years for Hanson’s Transport and then venturing into carting fuels and oils for Runaway Petroleum. Tony then moved into the freight industry eventually carting cattle, freight and tipping for Bonsey’s Transport. After this, Tony transitioned into a manager’s position for Runaway Petroleum until the depot was closed. He then worked for IOR as a driver carting crude oils and fuel in the Cooper Basin. He worked machinery for approximately 18 months and then went to work as a station manager at Kiandra/Wiralla on the Bulloo River.
Tony is a proud father and grandfather, many whom still live in the Shire. Providing opportunities for young residents in Quilpie is one of the main driving factors as to why he ran for a councillor position. Tony feels strongly for opportunities, especially for the young local residents to be trained and upskilled, so they can stay to build a better future in Quilpie to benefit the Shire socially and economically and have an impact on young people investing in the community.
Tony is also passionate about building relationships with landholders and business people who have the local knowledge to be able to work together to make good decisions for the future of the community.
This is Tony’s first term as a local councillor, and he feels privileged to have the opportunity to represent the Quilpie community.
Milan (commonly known as WOG) has lived and grown up in Quilpie since 1974. Milan is a very active member of the community and is the Manager of Lowes Petroluem where he has worked for 42 years. He also manages 2 x mail runs, has an ice works in Quilpie, contract cleans for Ergon and is the treasurer of the Toompine Progress Association.
Milan previously served on the Council in 2006 to 2008 and again from 2012-2016. His greatest achievement throughout this time was working together to see the building of the new Council Depot.
During this term in Council Milan would like to see a focus on providing childcare services that offer affordable, quality and well-staffed facilities to encourage more families to Quilpie. He would like to have discussions into the viability of building an Aquatic Centre in Quilpie that would cater for all ages.
