Belinda Hassan – Councillor Candidate

Hi. I’m Belinda Hassan, a first-term Councillor with Mackay Regional Council, elected in 2020. I am now seeking re-election at the upcoming Local Government election on Saturday 16th March 2024. 

I’m a fifth-generation Mackay local – my great-great-grandfather, George Hardwick, settled with his family in the Pioneer Valley in the mid-1860’s, and my family have lived in the region ever since. I have four adult children and am the proud Mi-ma of three beautiful grandchildren. 

Prior to being elected to Council, I was the Manager of Mackay Funerals and Sarina Funerals for almost 8 years, an after-hours Support Worker at the domestic violence shelter for women for 9 years, and the Service Manager at Mackay Women’s Centre for 4 years. I have also held roles in the financial services industry, real estate, IT, and retail sectors, and been a small business owner.

I’ve had extensive involvement in our community since a young age, demonstrated by my membership of service clubs and not for profit organisations, and participation in charity events. Some of these include: Zonta Club of Mackay (member since 2012), Sarina Lions Club (member since 2012), Rotary Club of Mackay Corporate (Secretary and founding member), Mackay Women’s Services (incorporating Mackay Women’s Centre and the Domestic Violence Resource Service – inaugural Treasurer in 2005, and a Board member for a total of almost 15 years), volunteer with Mackay Fire Special Olympics, Secretary of the Pine Islet Lighthouse Preservation Society, volunteer grant writer for the Trudy Crowley Foundation, volunteer fundraiser and honorary member of the Mackay Men’s Shed, member of CrimeStoppers Mackay, and volunteer with the Compassionate Communities movement. 

I’ve climbed mountains, jumped out of a plane and fundraised tens of thousands of dollars for a number of charities. Giving back to my community is what I do.

Since being elected to Council in 2020, I have been appointed to a total of 17 committees and Boards as Council’s representative, and proxy for another 4. Some of these committees are: Invest Mackay Events and Attraction Program Advisory Committee, Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee (Treasurer and Council representative), Mackay Region Recreational Fishing Strategy Steering Group (Chairperson), Mayor’s DV Taskforce, Mountain Bike Alliance, Reef Catchments and Catchment Solutions (Board member), Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee (Deputy Chair), Sports Expo and Sign-on Day Working Group, Northern Beaches Community Hub Reference Group, and Greater Whitsunday Council of Mayors Suicide Prevention Taskforce. 

I have performed my role as Councillor to the absolute best of my ability and with the utmost integrity, and am seeking your support to serve my community for another four-year term. 

If you’d like to know more or wish to get in touch, please email: info@belindahassan.com.au or give me a call on 0412 421 451.