GURLEY resident Karen Munn knows what it’s like to serve the community.
She’s proudly been one of the driving forces for many years behind the success of the annual Moree Show.
Mrs Munn, whose husband Brendan sat as a Moree councillor between 2012 and 2016, now hopes to add the title “Moree councillor” to her resume.
She’s been Moree Show Society secretary since time immemorial and husband Brendan is Moree Show Society president.
He suggested his wife lodge a nomination in the 2024 local government elections.
“Brendan has previously served a term as a councillor and was asked recently if he would stand again,” Mrs Munn said.
“He works in Narrabri three days a week, which would make timeframes and commitment difficult.
“We discussed the situation, and Brendan suggested I should put up my hand. Our family has always been very community minded, so I decided to give it a crack,” she smiled.
As well as Moree Show commitments, Mrs Munn is Gurley Rural Fire Service secretary-treasurer and president of the Gurley Recreation Reserve Trust.
“I am involved with various organisations in Gurley and Moree and enjoy giving back to the community,” she said.
Mrs Munn cites crime and roads as major issues across the Moree shire.
“Unfortunately, Moree has a stigma associated with crime and the current NSW government trial for repeat offenders is a step in the right direction,” she said.
Being a rural resident who commutes long distances on a regular basis, Mrs Munn knows first-hand what is needed to improve the rural road network.
“Country road maintenance is another major issue, and getting agricultural produce to market is vital to the local economy,” she said.
“Becoming a councillor will give me the opportunity to add a rational voice to Council decisions. I think Moree is a wonderful town, with so much to offer, and I would like to see the shire progress to be the leading town in the north-west.”
Mrs Munn was born and raised on a property in the Gurley district. She attended primary school at Narrabri and high school at Moree.
“I very much enjoy our small community and commute to Moree four days a week,” she said..
She has managed the Pathology Collection Centre at Moree Medical Centre since 1992.
“That’s a long time. As such, I have taken nearly everyone’s blood in the Shire at one time or another,” Mrs Munn smiled.
Words: Bill Poulos
