Meet the Candidates

ANNA

Vote 1 - Councillor Anna Greco

For Mayor of Willoughby and in Naremburn Ward

Since being elected to Willoughby City Council in December 2021, Anna has advocated strenuously for community priorities in the Naremburn Ward and across Willoughby as a whole. Her dedication to the people of Naremburn Ward and desire for improvements across the broader Willoughby area has motivated Anna to nominate as Mayor. Her rigour, courage and commitment, have earned the support of the Willoughby Community Independents across the three other wards of Willoughby.

Anna is a compassionate leader with a strong sense of integrity and a commitment to financial responsibility. As a qualified Chartered Accountant, her analytical skills ensure informed decisions that uphold the rule of law. Anna understands the struggles of small businesses, the challenges of high-density housing, and the pressures of the rising cost of living in our city. She also believes that council decision-making must address the environmental concerns of our community.

Anna cares deeply for families and children, their needs and the problems they are experiencing. She is also committed to helping our retired community live their best life in Willoughby. As your representative, Anna will work tirelessly to create a thriving, inclusive, and harmonious community for everyone.

Meet the Naremburn Ward Team

Vote 1 - Councillor John Moratelli

In Sailors Bay Ward

John was elected to Willoughby Council in 2021 after retiring from his long-standing position as a senior lawyer at Legal Aid NSW where he conducted test case litigation to protect consumers.

Since being elected, John has advocated for the local environment, transparency, integrity and community engagement. He has been instrumental in re-establishing and supporting Council’s advisory committees. These committees, composed of skilled community volunteers assist Council in achieving its aims around environmental and community issues. Having been involved with numerous governing bodies, John believes that council meetings require better organisation. He also believes the community needs to be included in decision making, rather than being excluded by excessive secrecy and inadequate notice.

John has been actively engaged in the community since moving to Castlecrag with his family in 1995. He has been on the committee of the Castlecrag Progress Association and the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA) and is currently WEPA President. John currently serves on the board of an early childhood charity, is a keen commuter cyclist and bushcare volunteer.

Meet the Sailors Bay Ward Team

JOHN

Vote 1 - Kristina Dodds

In Middle Harbour Ward

Kristina and her family have lived in the Willoughby area for 22 years. She serves on the Cammeraygal High School P&C committee, and is a committee member of the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA), the Willoughby South Progress Association and the Bicentennial/Flat Rock Gully Advisory Committee. She is a keen bushwalker, sings in a choir and is committed to climate action.

Concerned about the local environment, transparency and overdevelopment, Kristina led the Save Flat Rock Gully and Middle Harbour group to raise community awareness on the health, cost and environmental impacts of the Beaches Link tunnel. She joined the campaign team for Independent candidate Larissa Penn in the state election and by-election, is an area coordinator for Federal member Kylea Tink, advocated for the YES vote and supported John Moratelli in his election to Council in 2021.

Kristina has had over 30 years experience in not-for-profit organisations, coordinating education and carer support programs in the health area. She currently works as a Community Organiser for the Nature Conservation Council.

Meet the Middle Harbour Ward Team

KRISTINA

Vote 1 - Andrew Nelson

In West Ward

Andrew raised his family in West Ward and has four grandchildren living locally. He is a retired geoscientist with strong research, analytical, writing, and communication skills.

Andrew’s extensive community involvement spans four decades. He held treasurer roles at the KU Chatswood West Kindergarten, and Chatswood Public and High Schools, where he was also P&C President. He is currently Treasurer of the West Ward Progress Association and a delegate on the Federation of Willoughby Progress Associations. Andrew contributes his expertise to our community through the Willoughby Council Traffic Committee and served on the Willoughby Council Active & Integrated Transport Advisory Committee.

Andrew’s particular areas of interest are traffic and active transport. He is critical of Council’s evaluation of
and response to current and future traffic congestion. He is a frequent speaker at Council meetings on
community matters such as traffic, vegetation, cycling infrastructure, and fly-in fly-out consultants. Andrew promotes strong action on climate change and owns an all-electric house.

Meet the West Ward Team

ANDREW

Which ward do I vote in?

Voting for your local council is compulsory and will take place on Saturday September 14, 2024.

The ward you vote in is based on your home address as listed on the electoral roll.

To determine which Willoughby ward you are in, please see the Willoughby Local Government Area (LGA) map to the right or check your address using the Willoughby Council Map of Ward Boundaries via the button below.

Search Ward by Address

NAREMBURN

Meet Your Independent Naremburn Ward Team

Councillor Anna Greco

Since being elected to Willoughby City Council in December 2021, Councillor Anna Greco has been a staunch advocate for the priorities of the Naremburn Ward and the broader Willoughby area. Her commitment to the community has driven her to seek re-election for Naremburn Ward and to run for Mayor of Willoughby. Anna's determination, courage, and unwavering dedication have garnered the support of the Willoughby Community Independents across all four wards.

Anna Greco is a compassionate leader known for her integrity and financial prudence. As a Chartered Accountant, she brings a sharp analytical perspective to council decisions, ensuring they are both well-informed and legally sound. She understands the unique challenges facing small businesses, high-density housing, and the rising cost of living in Willoughby. Anna is also deeply committed to addressing environmental concerns and ensuring that council decisions reflect the needs of families, children, and the retired community. Her vision is to build a thriving, inclusive, and harmonious community for all residents of Willoughby.

Mary Ann Irvin

Mary Ann Irvin is excited to support Anna Greco as the candidate for Willoughby Council Mayor and as candidate for Naremburn ward, believing in Anna's ambitious vision for the city. Having lived in Artarmon for nearly 13 years since moving from Cairns in 2012, Mary Ann holds a B.Sc. from James Cook University and a Diploma of Librarianship from Canberra University. Her career spanned roles in the Federal Government, the State Library of Queensland, and as City Librarian in Cairns. After working for Willoughby City Library from 2012 until 2020, Mary Ann is now retired but remains actively involved in community initiatives.

An advocate for safer cycling infrastructure, Mary Ann Irvin serves on the Active and Integrated Transport Advisory Committee, contributing her perspective as an older woman. She prioritises safe active transport for school children and supports the enhancement of streetscapes in village centres to encourage walking and cycling. A member of the Artarmon Progress Association and a dedicated bushcarer, she has made significant contributions to submissions on cycling and development concerns. Mary Ann’s respect for Anna's dedication to community projects, such as the Artarmon Bowling Club and Village streetscape, fuels her enthusiastic endorsement.

Susan Enners

Originally from Canada, Susan Enners has called Australia home for the past 21 years, raising her family in Naremburn. Her children attend the local public school, where she serves on the executive team of the Parents & Citizens committee. Over the last decade, Susan has held various P&C roles across two public schools and is a frequent volunteer and community leader, as well as the chair of her strata committee. As a member of Naremburn’s Progress Association, she actively contributes to community discussions and volunteers in various capacities.

Professionally, Susan works in Technology and has a background in Psychology, Sales, and Marketing.

Susan Enners proudly supports Anna Greco in her bid for Mayor of Willoughby. Why? Since being elected to Willoughby Council in 2021, Councillor Anna Greco has leveraged her background in Accounting to advocate for transparency and accountability in council decisions. As a true independent, Anna, like the other Willoughby Community Independents, is well-positioned to represent her electorate without the influence of major party affiliations.

SAILORS

Meet Your Independent Sailors Bay Ward Team

Councillor John Moratelli

Councillor John Moratelli, elected to Willoughby Council in 2021, is seeking re-election to continue his valuable work. Since his election, John has championed local environmental issues, transparency, integrity, and community engagement.

Councillor John Moratelli’s previous career as a senior lawyer at Legal Aid NSW, where he handled test case litigation to protect consumers, has greatly informed his approach to local governance. John has played a key role in re-establishing and supporting the Council’s advisory committees, which are vital in addressing environmental and community concerns. With his extensive experience in governance, John advocates for better organisation of council meetings and greater community involvement in decision-making, countering the current issues of secrecy and inadequate notice.

Since moving to Castlecrag in 1995, John has been actively involved in various community roles, including serving on the Castlecrag Progress Association, as President of the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association, and on the board of an early childhood charity. He is also a dedicated commuter cyclist and bushcare volunteer.

Lorraine Cairnes

Lorraine Cairnes has been a resident of Castlecrag for 40 years. She holds a science degree and a graduate diploma in public sector management, and has over 30 years of experience in managing natural resources and heritage in Australia. Her career includes senior executive roles at New South Wales Fisheries, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Sydney Water, the NSW Department of Planning, and the NSW Heritage Council. She also founded Fathom Consulting, where she served as Executive Director, specialising in planning, protected area management, and heritage conservation.

Lorraine authored the Australian Natural Heritage Charter and is a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s World Commission on Protected Areas. She has served as a Director and Honorary Secretary of the NSW Nature Conservation Council and is currently on Willoughby Council's Bushland and Natural Heritage Advisory Committee. Notably, she was Australia’s first female park ranger at the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service. Lorraine also actively volunteers with Willoughby’s Native Plants Propagation Group and The Retreat Reserve Bushcare Group.

Vivien Choong

Vivien has lived in Northbridge with her family for over 20 years, where her children attended the local public school from K-6.

Vivien was a Chartered Accountant in the Professional and Insurance industries. For the last 25 years though she has worked in recruitment. Vivien has been and continues to be a regular volunteer for her children’s school canteens, sport and band activities. Until COVID struck she regularly volunteered in church and community initiatives such as Sydney Street Kitchen to feed the homeless and vulnerable.

Vivien is a keen advocate and practitioner of reusing, rehoming, repairing, repurposing, upcycling and recycling. She is a keen composter and minimiser of waste going to landfill. She believes it’s never too late to learn or change.

Vivien supports John for re-election because of his proven commitment to transparency and community engagement. She values his focus on environmental issues and his dedication to improving local governance, aligning with her own principles of responsible and effective community action.

Meet Your Independent Middle Harbour Ward Team

Kristina and the Middle Harbour team are long term Willoughby residents committed to improving outcomes for the people and nature of Willoughby.

They have volunteered time and skills across Council Advisory Committees, school communities, local Progress Associations, environmental organisations and for charities supporting broader social issues. They have actively campaigned for progressive political issues, as well as State and Federal Independent candidates. All three are nature lovers participating in the Willoughby Bushcare program.

Their collective career experience spans legal, communications and not for profit organisations, bringing valuable critical thinking and collaborative skills to Council.

Kristina, Eva and Robyn believe that we need truly independent local representatives who will advocate for the best interests of our community, protecting your right to know, to participate and to challenge local decision-making.

We stand for:

MIDDLE

Kristina Dodds

Kristina and her family have lived in the Willoughby area for 22 years. She serves on the Cammeraygal High School P&C committee, the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA), the Willoughby South Progress Association and the Bicentennial/Flat Rock Gully Advisory Committee. She is a keen bushwalker, sings in a choir and is committed to climate action.

Kristina has had over 30 years experience in not-for- profit organisations, coordinating education and carer support programs in the health area. She currently works as a Community Organiser for the Nature Conservation Council.

Eva Coulam

Eva and husband Stephen settled in Middle Cove 26 years ago, raising two children who attended Castle Cove Public School. Stepping back from a career in Media Strategy & Research, Eva is dedicating more time to environmental advocacy.

As a keen hiker and wildlife watcher, Eva has a strong affinity with Middle Harbour bushland and volunteers with Harold Reid Bushcare. She is an executive member of the Willoughby Environmental Protection Association, managing communications, the WEPA News and writing Government submissions on matters that concern the group. She has contributed to local decision-making as a volunteer member of the Willoughby Council Sustainability Advisory Committee.

Supporting Kristina’s campaign on the basis that we need truly independent local representatives who will advocate for the best interests of our community and ensure positive outcomes for nature. Eva believes in the fundamental importance of participatory democracy – protecting our right to know, to participate and to challenge decisions made by government bodies representing us.

Robyn Pettit

Robyn has been an active member of the Willoughby community since moving to the area with her 2 children in 2007. Both children attended local Willoughby public schools.

Robyn retired from the teaching in the Law Faculty and Practical Legal Training Program at UTS in 2019.

Since retiring Robyn has become an active volunteer in many local and other groups such as teaching Primary Ethics at Willoughby Public School, a bushcare volunteer in the Flat Rock Drive group, and a member of Willoughby Environmental Protection Association (WEPA). Robyn also volunteers at OzHarvest and Anti-Slavery Australia, a Centre at UTS. Robyn actively campaigned for Kylea Tink MP, as an independent in North Sydney in 2022 and for the Yes campaign in 2023. Robyn is a keen bushwalker and nature lover and has been a climate activist for many years.

Robyn supports the Middle Harbour Independent team of Kristina Dodds and Eva Coulam for their hard work and commitment to effective local democracy, integrity and transparency in all matters arising at Council.

WEST

Meet Your Independent West Ward Team

Andrew Nelson

Raised on a dairy farm in southern Queensland, as a child Andrew Nelson rode a horse to his one-teacher primary school before attending a country high school. He later studied at the University of Queensland, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Geophysics. His career in geoscience included roles in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, culminating as a consultant specialising in PNG structural geology and seismic interpretation, while mentoring students and professionals.

A resident of Chatswood West since 1985, Andrew Nelson has been actively involved in the community, with three sons attending local schools. His volunteer efforts extended to the Parents & Citizens groups and, more recently, to the Chatswood West Ward Progress Association, where he has served as Treasurer since 2022. Andrew has served on Willoughby Council’s Traffic Committee and Active and Integrated Transport Committee for the last two years, and regularly works to increase community awareness through various channels. Outside these commitments, Andrew is an avid cyclist, sailor, golfer, and native gardener.

Joe Grundy

Joe Grundy currently works for a not-for-profit organisation in family services and fostering, with a background in software design and data analysis and statistics.

He has a long history as a community advocate for Chatswood Public School. He is currently President of the P&C, and is in his 9th year as an elected Executive member.

He has served as a formal representative to the Chatswood Public School / Chatswood High School schools infrastructure major project from 2017 to it’s completion. He also is in his 11th year as a volunteer with Primary Ethics in schools.

Joe strongly supports Andrew’s campaign and his dedication to better planning outcomes for our community, and he hopes to bring his valuable analytical skills to Council in future.

Diana Pryde

Diana Pryde is the current President of Chatswood West Ward Progress Association (CWWPA) and has volunteered in numerous roles for West Ward over many years. In her career, Diana was a teacher for 40 years in a variety of roles and settings including as an English (EALD/ESL) teacher for 20 years and as an Assistant Principal K-2.

Diana has volunteered with the OH Reid Bush Regeneration Group, and with Streamwatch to monitor the pollution in Swaines Creek. In 2019, she helped save OH Reid Reserve and its associated wildlife from a Council proposal for floodlighting.

Diana has a passion for preserving and improving West Ward’s open spaces and protecting its wildlife. She has helped prepare submissions to Council to ensure better outcomes as Chatswood densifies, fighting for more green space and adequate school places for our community.