Cr Sharon Cadwallader was elected to Council in March 2004 and elected as Mayor in December 2021.
She is a current company director, Justice of the Peace, Registered Civil Celebrant, Chair of the Australian Coastal Councils Association and Deputy Chair of both Rous County Council and the Northern Rivers Joint Organisation. Sharon is a former director of Summerland Credit Union and a previous Regional Manager of Northern Rivers NSW Business Chamber. Accreditations include Dental Nursing, Marriage Celebrant, Marketing and Management and UTS Executive Certificate in Local Government.
Currently, Sharon is a Patron of Far North Coast Legacy - Ballina Division and the Ballina Schools Historical Society Inc. She has also represented the local community on many committees, including 17 years with Essential Energy on the Customer Council, Chair of the Richmond Tweed Regional Library, Chair of the B Ward Committee and a Delegate of the Ballina, Alstonville/Wollongbar and Lennox Head Chambers of Commerce.
Sharon is very interested in affordable and accessible housing, protecting and enhancing our lifestyle and the natural beauty of our area with a focus on preserving our heritage, the beautification of our town and villages and provision of more walkways and cycleways, as well as creating jobs, through sensible and sustainable economic development. Working regionally is also seen as very important to ensure the best value for money for ratepayers ensuring equity of State and Federal grant money.
Sharon realises the importance of making it simpler to deal with council by removing layers of bureaucracy and having a “Can Do” culture which provides the best outcome for the environment, including climate change and mitigating against the impacts.
She is married to Bruce and they share five children and 11 grandchildren with three generations living in the Ballina Shire.
Since she was a little girl, Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has always loved to dance - dance as if no one is watching. But this event will be different and quite a challenge, something she never imagined agreeing to.
Sharon is delighted to contribute to this great cause, especially as she has had family members affected by breast cancer.
She will be dancing not just for her family and friends but for everyone in the beautiful Ballina Shire community who has faced cancer.
Sharon hopes her participation helps raise funds to provide hope and comfort to those battling this disease.
Don't break a leg. Good on you for being a great sport. I hope Bruce can cope with you dancing a sexy dance with another man :-)