Angela4Lyons

03/01/2025

I am running as your independent candidate in the next election. Why? because I am passionate about where we live and how we live and good governance.

I am your independent candidate for LYONS - working for you- NOT working for Billionaires!

03/01/2025

Fun fact # 69

Binalong Bay, population 329 (2021 Census), is a small coastal community, originally a fishing hamlet, 12 km north-east of the town St Helens.

Situated at the southern end of the truly breathtaking Bay of Fires/larapuna the coastal village has a large proportion of holiday dwellings.
It has a beautiful beach, small harbour known as “the gulch” and a cafe affording spectacular views.

The Bay of Fires extends from Binalong Bay north to Eddystone Point. The bay was named by the British navigator Captain Tobias Furneaux in 1773 when he noticed fires along the coast.

The Bay of Fires was a meeting place for Aboriginal family groups such as Panpe-kanner, Leener-rerter and Pinter-rairer.

Whaling activities were carried out here in the 1840s.

The Bay of Fires is my favourite area of coastline in the world. Nothing else is comparable to the squeaky fine white sandy beaches, crystal clear azure waters and orange lichen covered granite boulders. Most times of the year wild animal and bird footprints are your only companions on the beach and if you are lucky a pod of dolphins just offshore.

The coastal heathland and dry sclerophyll forest flanking the Bay of Fires provide habitat for wallabies, possums, wombats, the Forester kangaroo, Spotted tail quolls and Tasmanian devils.
The critically endangered swift parrot return to Tasmania in the warmer months from Victoria and NSW to breed in the blue gum forests of the Bay of Fires hinterland and feed on the nectar of blue gum flowers.

03/01/2025

Fun fact # 68

Beaumaris (named after the Welsh town) population 289 (2021 Census) is a small beachside community on the north east coast between Scamander and St Helens.

The Tasman Sea forms the eastern boundary while the ridge line of the Skyline Tier forms most of the western boundary of Beaumaris.

The area is known for its surfing and beach fishing.

30/12/2024

New year - new web page!

Https://angelaofford.com.au

My name is Angela Offord. I live in the beautiful Northern Midlands within the largest Tasmanian electorate of Lyons. As a veterinarian for 33 years, I have worked hard to improve animal health and welfare while also working for the veterinary professional body for 20 years. So, I have learnt the va...

29/12/2024

Fun fact # 68

Values are important: just to reiterate:

Go JJs Go

💚🐜🏀💛💚🐜🏀💛

I love the values of the Tasmania JackJumpers, they are what makes them a beloved team : community, hard work, perserverance, resilience, never giving up (even though this makes for incredibly stressful watching), “grit and grind”, application and belief, collaborative team work and decision making for the benefit of the group. Humbleness.

Go Jackies Go

28/12/2024

Fun fact # 67

Finished letterboxing beautiful Scamander population 803 ABS 2021 Census.

Scamander holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in Tasmania at 42.2 C in 2009.

The spectacularly beautiful east coastal town sits at the mouth of the Scamander River between St Helens and St Marys.
Nature reserves with more than 80 different species of marshland and woodland birds line the banks of the river and white sandy ocean beach.
Scamander is a fresh and saltwater anglers, surfers, swimmers, walkers, mountain bike riders, bird watchers and campers paradise.

The river was originally named Borthwick by the first Europeans to explore the area and the town named Yarmouth after a city in Britain in 1825.
The river and town were later renamed Scamander. The Scamander River was the river that surrounded Troy named after the river god Scamander in Greek mythology.

22/12/2024

Fun fact # 66

St Helens population 2,206 (2021 Census) is the largest east coastal town in Lyons and
is in the Break O’Day LGA.

Lyons has to encompass the widest demographic and be one of the most scenic and beautiful electorates in Australia. From rural Central Highlands, Railton, Sheffield and the Midlands towns and surrounding farmlands to the southern suburbs of Launceston and northern suburbs of Hobart out to the eastcoast and down to the Tasman Peninsula.
Where else in Australia could you spend two days letterboxing and see a tractor driven by Santa, geothermal springs and waterfalls followed by fishing boats, surfers and tourists and a seal frolicking in Georges Bay?

16/12/2024

Fun fact # 65

Sheffield, The Town of Murals, and Railton, The Town of Topiary, are located in the NW tip of Lyons in the Kentish LGA.

The scenic rural town of Sheffield had a population of 1,195 (and a lot of rabbits) at the 2021 census with 508 occupied dwellings which I’ll be letterboxing Saturday 7th and Wednesday 11th December.
My Roland towers magestically over the town at 1,234 m above sea level.

Settled in 1859 and named after the town in England, the area is well known for its dairy farming (high butterfat content) and lamb and beef production.The town was a former hub of the hydroelectric scheme and has reinvented itself as The Town of Murals with a thriving arts community. There are more than 160 murals depicting local stories and characters.
One of my favourite murals features Dr Leslie Sender who set up his practice at home in High St where he was on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year- sounds very much like the last generation of veterinary practitioners now retired. “He was at times dental assistant to his wife, many specialists rolled into one, even a vet on occasion!…No nurse, no secretary, no appointments”

15/12/2024

Perfect day for a market Evandale Sunday Market ! Did you know that you can talk with Angela4Lyons each Sunday? Her stall is immediately opposite the entry gate. So, drop by and say hello! Tell Angela what you want to see happen in your region.

BTW Angela will be in St Helens next week - Thursday and Friday. Give her a call - share a coffee if you are in St Helens.

09/12/2024

Fun fact # 64

December 7th 2024 was the 10 th anniversary of the Mannalargenna Day Festival.
A day in honour of the memory of revered aboriginal ancestors who belonged to the Pairrebeenne/Trawleoolway clan of Tebrakunna Country.

There were activities all day including cultural exhibition and cultural practice demonstrations, art market, Tebrakunna Rangers Display, men’s, women’s and combined family circles, guided walk on country, bus tour of the windfarm, string and kelp basket and spear making, aboriginal dancing ceremony and lunch which was a feast of kangaroo sausage, wallaby patties, muttonbird, abalone and bush greens- it was a truly informative, fun and amazing event. There are people from all over Australia that make this festival at Cape Portland an annual pilgrimage.
Congratulations to all involved and thank you.
It is so important to keep our communities, our precious wildlife and our beautiful environment healthy for ourselves and future generations.

29/11/2024

A great story about my candidacy featured in The Mercury 26/11/2024:

Fun fact # 64

The paradigms around the two major party system in Australia are changing.

Independent, fair and inclusive media reporting on ALL candidates in an election plays a very important role in:

1. Engaging in balanced and fair coverage correcting what has developed into an unconscious bias toward reporting in the main on the two major party candidates

2. Ensuring that communities are comprehensively and well informed so that an individual’s vote will be as informed as it can be and our democracy remains robust

28/11/2024

Fun fact # 63

It is the final sitting day in State and Federal parliament for the year. That means it is the last opportunity to put up legislation in 2024 and a lot is being put through.

Integrity is very important to me personally and as a professional, and it is very important to see it modelled in our elected representatives and the work that they do representing us for us to have trust in them.

A combined Google definition of “integrity” is the quality of being honest and fair, and having a strong commitment to moral and ethical values. It can also mean being sincere and taking responsibility for action.

A step forward in Integrity in our state political system this week has been a bill tabled by the Greens, lowering the political donation disclosure limit from $5000 to $1000 with monthly reporting and weekly reporting during election campaigns, passing the HoA. This is a good step towards Electoral Donation law reform and greater transparency and accountability, putting Tasmania in line with other states.

The same cannot be said for the federal government proposed election spending reforms which haven't been developed in consultation and are an attempt to hastily push through unfair changes. These reforms as proposed have the potential to significantly disadvantage minor parties and Independents and be advantageous to the two major parties.

It is the third last day of Spring.
Spring pics in Lyons attached.

17/11/2024

🌟 Exciting News for the Lyons Community! 🌟

I am thrilled to formally announce my candidacy as an Independent candidate for the upcoming federal election in Lyons! As a long-time resident of White Hills and a veterinarian with 27 years of experience in our community, I am dedicated to addressing the vital issues that matter most to us all: healthcare, education, housing affordability, and the rising cost of living.

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about consultative policy development and advocacy, always striving for good governance that truly represents the voices of our community. I have listened to your concerns, and I know that you want to see elected representatives who act with integrity and commitment.

👉 My Promise to You:
I will be an independent voice in Parliament, dedicated to listening to your needs and values. My vision is to move away from the divisive two-party system and foster collaboration among independents, minor parties, and major parties to achieve the best outcomes for our people, animals, and the environment.

Let’s work together to create a brighter future for Lyons! 🌿🐾

To stay updated on my campaign, please like and follow this page, and feel free to reach out with your thoughts and ideas!

📞 Contact Me:
Phone: 0429 835 321
Email:
[email protected]

Together, we can bring positive change to our community! 💪💚

04/11/2024

Fun fact # 62

There are two sitting weeks for the HoA left for the year 2024.

The government have announced a review into Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) given the Ferry Fiasco and scrutiny of the operations of TT Lines and TasPorts.
So important given that the governance of these GBEs are less than desirable and they haven’t been performing.

AIDC Principles of Good Governance:

1. The board plays a role in setting vision, purpose and strategy. It is accountable to the Tasmanian community (all Tasmanians) [x]

2. Board members exhibit independence of judgement and oversee management [x]

3. The board members set the cultural and ethical tone [x]

4. The board should comprise an appropriate number of directors who have a relevant and diverse range of skills, expertise, experience and background and who can effectively understand the issues arising [x]

5. Appropriate system of risk oversight , sustainability [x]

6. Board members should act diligently on an informed basis and have access to accurate, relevant and timely information [x]

7. Some functions clearly delegated to management

8. Board responsible for the CEO appointment and evaluation

9. Board ensures the organisation communicates to the Tasmanian community and government regularly and in a timely manner [x]

10. The Boards performance is regularly assessed and appropriate action to address any issues identified [x]

28/09/2024

Fun fact # 61 It's the second Bass Strait Battle and 1 st home game of the season and Championship banner unfurling- so excited

Go JJs Go

💚🐜🏀💛💚🐜🏀💛

I love the values of the Tasmania JackJumpers : community, hard work, perserverance, never giving up (even though this makes for incredibly stressful watching), “grit and grind”, application and belief, collaborative team work and decision making for the benefit of the group. Learning from mistakes- action begets knowledge enables action.

15/09/2024

Lovely sunny Spring morning at the Evandale Sunday Market

17/08/2024

Fact # 60

Gambling can have many negative consequences/harms for the person gambling as well as their families, social network, workplace and the wider community.
Gambling can stimulate the brains reward system, much like drugs, alcohol and smoking, leading to addiction.
(I remember 30 years ago when we first recognised smoking as an addiction).
Gambling can and has ruined lives.
Gambling is more common in young and middle aged people.
Australians spend more on gambling per capita each year than any other country. 1.
Given that compulsive gambling is more common in young and middle aged people and that gambling during childhood and teenage years increases the risk of developing compulsive gambling 2.
(much like smoking and alcohol addiction) it follows that a blanket ban on gambling advertising should occur.
We are innundated with expensive slick gambling advertising on streaming sites and free to air tv.

Currently the government is looking at announcing gambling advertising restrictions but not a blanket ban.
Some of the reasons given for not bringing in a blanket ban are that:

1. Gambling is not illegal

2. Free to air commercial media is being kept afloat by gambling advertising revenue

I would argue that smoking and drinking alcohol is not illegal either but we societally recognise the range of negative consequences these products can have and therefore don't promote their use through advertising.

Free to air media audience is declining and competition and journalism models disrupted and changing. This is the environment we are living and working in. Models are changing and have to adapt, the regulatory environment has to change and adapt. Free to air is under pressure all around the world and this problem should be addressed in a more legitimate way than it being acceptable that it is propped up by gambling advertising revenue in Australia.

It is the governments job to improve the well being of society. It is not the governments role to enable failing business models to be propped up by sources of revenue that cause well known and far reaching harms.

“Not everything that is profitable is of social value and not everything that is of social value (all government business) is profitable.”

References:

1. Australian Institute of Family Studies AIFS
Understanding gambling harm and ways to identify those at risk 2021

2. Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.org
Compulsive gambling 2022

Mayo Clinic is a top-ranked hospital in the U.S., with campuses in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota

11/08/2024

Fun fact # 59

A bill to be debated in parliament brought by a member of parliament other than a minister is known as a Private Member’s Bill.
The Office of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel drafts the wording for all bills.

In August 2023 sucessfully introduced a Private Member’s Bill into Parliament to amend The Residential Tenacy Act. This came into effect May 2024 improving minimal rental standards ( eg/ provision of curtains ) for social housing tenants when a new (not retrospective) tenacy agreement commences.
This is one of only a few Private Members Bills originating in the HoA to pass through the Tasmanian Parliament.

It was announced last week that a Private Members Bill that will recognise harm or threat of harm to an animal with the intent to coerce, intimidate or control a spouse or partner as a form of domestic violence in Tasmanian legislation. This will Tasmania into line with every other state and territory.

It is 12 months since the Albanese led Labour government bill to establish a national anti corruption commission (NACC), that received royal assent December 2022, and the NACC began operation July 2023.

The history of the NACC begins with the then Greens leader, Bob Brown, calling on the Rudd government in 2009 to establish a national integrity commission.
Every state in Australia has its own anti- corruption agency as of 2017.
The Tasmanian agency is known as the Integrity Commission.
The Independent Cathy McGowan followed by Helen Haines worked in Federal Parliament to develop policy around the development of a national integrity commission.
Helen Haines produced a Private Members Bill, refined by consultation with legal academics, panels of retired judges, civil society stakeholders, ethicists and MPs, to introduce a federal anti- corruption body blocked in Parliament by the coalition in 2021.
Liberal MP Bridget Archer crossed the floor to support the bill.
The Labour bill has significant differences from the Haines bill.