We’ve asked all Richmond Valley Council candidates to provide a 200-word introduction about why they are running in the election. We will also be asking the candidates the same three questions in the next two weeks. All election stories about Richmond Valley can be found in one place here.
Because there are 23 candidates in Richmond Valley we will be presenting them in their group tickets – A, B,C and D and one ungrouped individual.
You can choose to vote for a group (above the line) on your ballot paper or you can vote for individuals by numbering them (below the line).
Here is Group C on your ballot paper promoting People Before Politics.
Lyndall Murray
Lives: Evans Head
Job: Business Consultant, One Seed Consulting
Lyndall Murray is your candidate for mayor bringing 20 years of executive experience in sports, entertainment, and tourism marketing with brands like the Wests Tigers, GWS Giants, NRMA Holiday Parks, AUSTAR TV, and Foxtel. After moving to the Richmond Valley in 2017, Lyndall ran a successful business consultancy, supporting startups and scale-ups in eCommerce, cyber security, superannuation, tourism, and manufacturing.
During the floods, Lyndall coordinated more than 1100 rescues and aid drops through a makeshift triple zero call centre from her home. In June 2023, she co-founded a fundraising platform Hands & Hearts Project with Bianca Rayner, raising $185K in cash and $180K in-kind donations to repair 48 homes, with support from Mick Fanning & the Charity Golf Day.
Lyndall stands for:
- Secure & safe homes for all – address vacant and holiday rental impacts on secure housing, investment into transitional housing for family violence survivors, collaborative affordable housing solutions.
- Infrastructure investment to retain manufacturing jobs and grow primary industries.
- Responsible development – scaling population growth with essential services and infrastructure while protecting the environment and cultural heritage.
- Advocacy for flood mitigation action and fairer distribution of flood related funding.
- Transparent decision-making frameworks.
- Permanent police presence in smaller villages.
- Stronger tourism, marketing strategies to drive visitation, jobs & economic growth.
Bianca Rayner
Lives: Coraki
Job: Community Projects Coordinator
As a fifth-generation Coraki local, Bianca Rayner carries a proud family legacy of community service. With roots in Coraki dating back to the 1800s, Bianca’s deep connection to the region fuels her commitment to fostering growth and resilience in the Richmond Valley. Bianca played a pivotal role coordinating an evacuation centre in Coraki during the 2022 floods, and has since worked on the frontline of the recovery effort.
Bianca is committed to improving outcomes for disadvantaged minorities, particularly youth and families. Having grown up in a time where Coraki was a vibrant community with local sport played every weekend at Windsor Park, Bianca plans to advocate for a reinvestment in sports infrastructure to bring hockey back to Coraki.
Bianca is passionate about restoring the primary industry branding of the Coraki/Bungawalbin area as the birthplace of teatree. She aims to play a pivotal role in the revival of the much-loved Tea Tree Festival of the 1990s.
Bianca has a passion for supporting the growth of grassroots community groups and believes strongly in creating thriving connected communities with improved access to grants and funding. Bianca believes that the most profound action takes place at a grassroots level in direct consultation with the community.
Simone Barker
Lives: Evans Head
Job: Aboriginal Education Worker Evans River K-12 School
I am an Aboriginal Education Officer at the Evans River K-12 School and Traditional Knowledge Holder and Custodian for the Bandjalang People and Bundjalung Nation.
I strongly support public education because of the opportunities it provides for our young people.
An emphasis on education is particularly important in our local government area as the latest socio-economic indexes for Australia show that Richmond Valley is in the lowest 10% for education and occupation disadvantage, and bottom 20% for relative socio-economic disadvantage.
Like my father, the late Lawrence Wilson, known to many of you, I am a strong believer in adapting and working with the non-Indigenous people to make a better future for our youth for they are our future. He instilled in us that even though there are different ways to move forward in the future, you must never ever forget where you come from and who you are, part of a larger community.
I have joined Lyndall Murray’s team as I believe they represent the best opportunity to lift Richmond Valley out of its current socio-economic disadvantage through progressive housing and social policy, encouragement of diverse economic opportunities and sustainable use of our acknowledged advantage, and our wonderful natural resources.
Samuel Allis
Lives: The Gap
Job: Business Owner, Hemlocks Cafe & Bookshop Woodburn
I’m passionate about making a positive impact. Coming from a family of business owners, I learned early on that excuses were unacceptable, and you could achieve anything with determination.
I started working at 15, making coffee, and by 18, I was managing a café bar restaurant. At 19, I moved to Tabulam, where I gained practical skills in building, welding, fencing, and bushcraft. My love for animals led me to rescue dogs and study veterinary nursing. Later, I ventured into coffee roasting and worked as an assistant manager in a large pet store.
With just $4K and four paychecks, I opened Hemlocks Books and Coffee.
Inspired by Woody Guthrie and the union movement, I joined the Labor Party and eventually helped establish the Woodburn Labor Party branch, where I currently serve as president.
I am running as an independent voice without any party policy influence with Group C to be a true voice for our community. Richmond Valley has incredible potential, and by promoting a circular economy and sharing our natural assets with visitors, we can thrive.
Our river needs cleaning, and our youth need more opportunities.
My business is in Woodburn’s main street — stop by and share your vision for our region.
Kylie Maunder
Lives: Broadwater/Evans Head
Job: Senior Project Officer, Department of Premier & Cabinet
Kylie Maunder has called the Richmond Valley home for over 15 years, with time spent in both Evans Head and Rileys Hill. She grew up in the small village of Drake, where she experienced firsthand the challenges that come with living in regional and rural communities, especially the lack of services and opportunities. As a single mother, Kylie has navigated the rental market for many years, and these experiences have fueled her commitment to advocating for safe and secure housing.
Over the past three years, Kylie has had to move rentals four times, often due to property sales. This instability takes a toll on families and individuals, both financially and emotionally. She is passionate about regulating short-term rentals and finding affordable housing solutions, especially in areas like Evans Head, where around 20% of homes sit vacant. This situation makes it difficult for families, single parents, and the elderly to find a place to live.
Kylie believes in the importance of supporting rural communities and is committed to advocating for better funding for NGOs that deliver essential services. She is running for Council to help create lasting change, ensuring that the community thrives for the next generation.
Nathan Scully
Lives: born in Casino, lives in Evans Head
Job: Butcher at Metcalfs Butchers
Nathan Scully, born and raised in Casino, has been a dedicated member of the Richmond Valley community since beginning his butcher apprenticeship in his hometown in 1995. A father of three with another on the way, Nathan balances his family life with a deep passion for local sports. He has played a pivotal role in the Casino sports scene, serving as president of the Casino Cobras Soccer Club and a general committee member of the Casino Cricket Club, where his leadership has made a lasting impact.
Nathan is committed to the development of grassroots sports and has been instrumental in enhancing the Richmond Valley’s sporting facilities, making them some of the best in the Northern Rivers. His work aligns with local government policies focused on improving community sports infrastructure and bringing larger sporting events to the area, thereby boosting both community engagement and local pride. Nathan’s vision extends to ensuring that all regions within the Richmond Valley enjoy similar infrastructure improvements, fostering a vibrant and inclusive sports culture across the area. His dedication to family, sports, and community development continues to inspire those around him, making him a key figure in the ongoing growth of the Richmond Valley.
Hanabeth Luke
Age: 44
Lives: Evans Head
Job: Senior lecturer in Science & Agriculture at Southern Cross University
I am passionate about improving the ability of our rural communities to actively respond to change, while maintaining what keeps them special. Richmond Valley Voices is an important forum to have a say and express your views about what you would like to see from our next Council.
We need fresh faces on Council – smart young people who know, love and value what makes our towns and our region special. I would like to see safe homes become a reality for all of us, including from domestic violence, crime and natural disasters. Councils can and should play a strong advocacy role in ensuring that the basic needs of all community members are met.
I founded the SCU Courses in Regenerative Agriculture, and lead national research projects on farmer decision-making and regenerative agriculture. I am also a committed member of the Evans Head Marine Rescue crew.
I was part of the local emergency response during the 2022 floods, and co-convene the Evans Area Resilience Network, focused on disaster preparedness from Coraki to Broadwater, to support community working alongside formal services in times of disaster.
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