Integrity, defined as the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles, is what people expect of a leader and it’s worth taking a closer look at whether the people of Noosa are getting this from their leaders.
The notorious ‘Gumshoe’
As a ‘provocateur’ operating in the interests of the Noosa Parks Association (NPA) from the late noughties, current Noosa mayor Tony Wellington published The Gumshoe – a newsletter which boasted that it “stomped where others feared to tread”.
The Gumshoe liberally made allegations and adduced suspect motives while targeting people for personal attack in a way apparently designed to destroy their reputations. It was an ugly and at times reckless publication.
The newsletter appeared regularly for many years (it ceased publication not long before Cr Wellington was elected to Sunshine Coast Council) and was distributed by email to NPA members and through them to the wider community.
From provocateur to conciliator?
Cr Wellington’s role as provocateur back then certainly doesn’t square well with more recent statements about ‘bringing the community together’ and ‘relegating grudges to the past’.
In fact even these more recent statements don’t seem to be bearing fruit either as, so far as I can see, community building and conflict resolution have not been on the agenda for the Wellington Council any more than they were for the Playford Council that preceded it.
A ‘great future’ for Noosa needs a different mindset
Provocation, divisiveness and agitation stifle the creativity and innovation required for Noosa to truly emerge as a mature and progressive community. Effective leadership would demonstrate a number of important attributes:
- transparency and accountability;
- a persistent drive for unity and inclusion;
- open collaboration to get the best out of people;
- constructive and honest community engagement;
- fostering innovation; and
- evidence-based decision making.
Community leaders worth their salt must have the courage to make their own decisions with the whole community in view. They must be open-minded and positive and not beholden to vested interest no matter how strong-willed they may be.
My fear is that, in his role as a community leader, Cr Wellington is being weighed down by ‘old guard’ associates at a time when Noosa requires a new era of innovation, collaboration and respect.
It’s never too late to change. Can the former editor of the scurrilous stompletter, The Gumshoe, re-emerge as the leader Noosa needs and can feel proud of?
Would be timely to repost this article and ask people what they think ? Did the leopard change his spots ?
Thanks Bettina.
As you know I’m biases but I consider you pose some real and important considerations.
His recent past has to be taken into account and there’s obvious and unwanted collusions that detract from his re-election suitability.
Many believe it’s time to leave these associations and commence a new era for Noosa.