By all accounts, Leoni Roberts is not one who looks for publicity, but she was prepared to break her own rules in favour of transparent disclosure when she wrote to Noosa Today last week explaining why she was donating $10,000 to Cr Frank Wilkie’s mayoral campaign.
She wrote: “I have been asked why I’m giving such a substantial donation towards the election of Frank Wilkie as Mayor of Noosa.
“It’s because I’m appreciative of Cr Wilkie’s long and consistent history of working for the Noosa community while being actively engaged with the community. He’s the ‘real thing’, not a manufacturer of media stunts or a self-promoter. His first and last interests have always been those of residents, our balanced lifestyle and the Noosa environment.”
A delighted Cr Wilkie told Noosa Today that while he had known of Ms Roberts for some time, they did not have a personal relationship.
“I’ve never had a donation of this size from someone I didn’t know well, so naturally I’m extremely grateful and have passed this on by email to Leoni, but every election people step up and say they like what you do and want to help, whether it’s volunteering in various capacities or donating.
“I’m grateful to accept any help, and in this case some of the money will go into some form of advertising.
“It’s great to see democracy in action, people standing up for the Noosa they believe in. There is a lot of toxic stuff around at the moment but I’m trying to just focus on what really matters to the broader community, not just those fixated on social media.”
Ms Roberts continued: “Frank has been prepared to take on the hard issues even while the vicious, and often ill-informed or misled critics of social media try to tear him down.
“He has the potential to be a great mayor. He listens and works well with all demographics, and doesn’t play favourites.
“Some mistake his well-mannered, polite and intelligent style for softness, but I think he’s considered, thoughtful, and diplomatic. Characteristics of a leader.
“Sadly Frank has been subjected to several anonymous, frivolous and scurrilous complaints to the Office of Independent Assessment from certain individuals with political motivations. But he has continued working during these investigations, even with some of the complainants, without apparent ill feeling. He‘s not into the revenge politics that so many of us are fed up with”.
Asked what specific qualities she felt would make Mr Wilkie a good mayor, she responded: “Noosa desperately needs to elect a mayor who is able to lead councillors on significant issues, like the environment and the river, in a strong but collaborative way. This has been absent for the last four years.
“When I moved to Noosa in the mid ‘90s, Noosa was renowned for its environmental values and visionary leadership. People visited and made Noosa their home for that reason.
“Long term locals remember past mayors who were community minded and truly invested in the community, free of vested interests. Noosa, inevitably, is changing and grappling with development issues. New, divisive players have become involved with opaque agendas and my concern is whether they truly reflect and represent traditional Noosa values, or are they seeking public acclaim and power and opening the door to party politics?
“For transparency, I have no applications before Council, have no contracts with Council and I will receive no financial benefit from this donation. Noosa needs experienced leadership and I think Frank Wilkie is the best contender.”
