An Open Letter to the Noosa Hinterland Residents
Dear Community Members,
I penned the below letter to you, to be read on my behalf at the recent Cooroy ‘Meet the Candidates’ forum. Unfortunately, I was not able to be in attendance. When the worlds of a working mother and aspiring local representative collide, sometimes, I just can’t make it work. And on this occasion, I had to keep my previously booked commitments in my current job. Some of you may have wondered that evening, why can’t she do both? It was because I was delivering conflict resolution and workplace safety training in Canberra to people who work in public-facing jobs like many of us here in the Noosa Shire. Many young kids in their first job, all the way up to mature adults, all with one thing in common - feeling unsafe at work. Feeling unsafe when having to deal with members of the public. Safety is a core value of mine, and this time, I had to choose helping people feel safe.
I am also disappointed the following letter was not permitted to be read, both by other candidates trying to help me out, or by representatives of me. I hope you can empathise with the difficult position a working mum was in that night, and I would love for you to keep reading on so I can share my values and vision for the future of the Noosa Shire.
Hello,
I'm Jess Phillips, a working mother, and a dedicated professional with 15 years of experience in policing. Throughout my career, I've developed invaluable skills in problem-solving, community engagement, and crisis management, all of which I believe make me a strong candidate to serve our beautiful community.
As a long-time local, my roots run deep in the Noosa Shire, particularly a long sporting career at Cooroy Gymnastics club. I've been privileged to witness the times our community have united and supported our vulnerable community and our young people. My involvement with the Cooroy Gymnastics Club has not only been a source of joy but has also given me a deep understanding of the importance of community organisations in shaping the foundation of our town.
These experiences have created many memories that tie me closely to Cooroy, in particular.
I have fond memories of my brother’s wedding in Cooroy 34 years ago. He was married in the Anglican Church 34 years ago and we celebrated his reception at the Cooroy RSL.
When I was growing up, many of our family friends owned local businesses, including those by the Christensen and Zipf families, and my parents instilled in me from an early age how important the values deeply held by communities like our Noosa Hinterland were. It’s the place where you get the ‘real’ version of someone, not the shiny one.
I shared countless cups of coffee in Cooroy with my late mother, who passed away in 2008 from asbestos exposure cancer. These cherished moments unfolded in the heart of Cooroy, on our beautiful main street, as we chatted for sometimes hours solving the world's problems.
Policing for 15 years has provided me with a unique perspective on the challenges our community faces. I've been on the front lines, working to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents. This experience has equipped me with the skills to identify areas in Noosa and the Hinterland where safety needs to be prioritised, drawing attention to specific intersections, roads, and pathways that require targeted interventions.
My commitment to public safety goes beyond law enforcement, as I understand the importance of creating a complete and supportive environment for families.
If elected, I aim to leverage my professional skills to advocate for policies that address the real-life challenges we face daily.
I believe in the power of community collaboration and transparency, and I am dedicated to ensuring that your voices are heard.
While my work commitments unfortunately keep me away from speaking to you all in person, I want to assure you that if elected, I will be fully present and accessible to the community. In the meantime, keep an eye out for my community catch up in Pomona, where I’ll be there ready to listen to your questions and concerns.
Let's work together to build a safer, more vibrant Noosa, preserving the memories and creating a future we can all be proud of.
Thank you for your understanding, and I look forward to connecting with you soon.
