book.sorell - Flipbook - Page 14
14 - JUNE 2024
Vincent vows to
keep up the work
MARTINE HALEY
POPULAR Sorell identity Kerry
Vincent has been sworn in as the
new Prosser Liberal MP after
last month’s election.
Mr Vincent held the seat for
the Liberals after former MLC
Jane Howlett quit the Upper
House to stand in Lyons, which
she won.
The former Sorell Mayor lead
the count from the beginning,
followed by Labor candidate
Bryan Green, Shooters Fishers
and Farmers candidate Phillip Bigg in third place, retired
Utas professor Pam Sharp fourth
and former Tasman mayor Kelly
Spaulding 昀fth.
The large South-East electorate of Prosser takes in the Northern Midlands, much of the East
Coast, the Tasman Peninsula and
the Sorell area.
Mr Vincent said after 12 years
being mayor he was looking
forward to working outside the
region. In his time as mayor, the
municipality has grown into the
hub of the South-East.
He said his focus would continue to be on education and
training for young and matureaged students.
“I will focus on helping to
build the infrastructure needed
to support growth, such as water,
education and reskilling.
“Stepping down (as mayor) is
going to be a hard one. It’s a life
I’ve loved,’’ Mr Vincent said.
In his campaign pitch, Mr
Vincent said he would work:
• To deliver the $25 million
major upgrade of the Dodges
Ferry Primary School;
• Continue funding for the successful Sorell Jobs Hub, for jobs
and training;
• Invest $550,000 to build a
new purpose-built home for the
Sorell Men’s Shed and the Lions
Club of Sorell;
• Deliver $1.9 million towards
a multi-access walking path
between Nubeena and White
Beach;
• Invest $50 million to upgrade
the Arthur Highway, with a
corridor study almost complete
which will identify a range of
short, medium and long-term
priorities for works on this
important tourist route;
• Support investing in upgrades
at the Swansea Bowls Club, the
Bicheno Bowls Club and at the
Bicheno Golf Club; and
• Upgrades to the May Shaw
Health Centre with additional
GP consulting rooms.
Thank you, Sorell
SIMPLE words or a short article in this newspaper
cannot cover my feelings and respect for the
community of Sorell.
When I was 昀rst elected back in 2009, I never
dreamed I would have had the privilege to serve my
community both as a Councillor and Mayor for this
amount of time.
Without the support from my incredible family
and staff at Rural Solutions, allowing me to be
away from our business, much of what has been
achieved certainly wouldn’t have been possible.
We always joke about how they loved me being
busy in the Council and community so it kept me
from pushing them on a daily basis in the business,
however, without their dedication I could not have
spent the time delivering results throughout the
South-East region .
To my Council General Manager Robert
Higgins and his two faithful managers, Jess and
Russel, words do not describe my respect for your
dedication and commitment to this municipality.
Just like myself, Robert and his team strongly
believe in local government making a positive
difference and they have never lost their focus
on what is needed to make Sorell one of the most
昀nancially sustainable, well-run councils in the
state.
To all the staff that have become friends and
colleagues I say thank you heaps and I will still be
around and will be catching up regularly.
To all the ratepayers, visitors and people who
love our municipality, I would like to say thank
you, I am not leaving, just moving to a different
of昀ce where as a member of the Legislative
Council, I plan to do even more towards the
ongoing bene昀ts of our area and region over the
next six years.
I have always appreciated the support,
arguments, advice and direction that you have
been only too willing to pass on. I have always felt
humbled and honoured to have been your Mayor.
Thank you.
KERRY VINCENT
Prosser MLC
Kerry Vincent with partner Jan Elsey.
