Campaign diary

By Rod Bruem

One of the first steps running for office is filling out the necessary application forms.

Candidates are asked to write 750 words of background/career information and why you’re running. At least that’s what I thought it was. Turns out they wanted much less, still it was a good exercise in trying to put into words that life story.

In my case the motivation is simple and maybe a little nerdy; A passion for good public policy that makes people’s lives better.

Here’s my story:

As a country kid who grew up on a farm, left school and started working as a trainee journalist at a local newspaper, I’ve had a fortunate career that has taken me from the bottom to the top of business, business and politics.

• In business, I went from working behind the counter of my aunt’s corner store in the back streets of Lithgow to going around the world as an advisor to the CEO of Telstra.
• In media, I went from the smallest daily newspaper in Australia to working with some of the biggest names at Channel 9 News and launching my own successful magazine.
• In politics, I’ve learned and served with truly great people including one of the country’s most esteemed independent MPs as well as ministers in each of the Howard, Turnbull and Morrison governments.

Now I’m in the fortunate position of being able to devote most of my time to public service and giving back to the community.   Since 2019 I’ve been part of the team at Ballina’s community radio Paradise FM. This has given me a good understanding of the social issues facing Ballina and introduced me to so many other hard-working people generously giving their time to improve the lives of others.  I ’m keen to support them more.

I’m proud to be a carer for my elderly mother, so I deeply appreciate the needs and challenges facing Ballina’s seniors and want to ensure we have the right services in place to serve our aging population.

For the past five years I’ve been campaigning to improve the health of the Richmond River which experts say it’s the most degraded catchment in NSW.

Richmond Rivers Rescue is a community action group I helped set up to lobby politicians for additional funding and better policies.

Our river is at the heart of our environment. It should be Ballina’s greatest draw card all year round, supporting and growing diverse local recreational, tourism and fishing industries.

My election will give me a much louder voice to fight for more to save our river, our environment and so many other needs that sadly, don’t get the attention they deserve.

Please let me bring my experience and passion to serve the people of Ballina Shire.