West Tamar Council yesterday farewelled two long-serving councillors, Mayor Christina Holmdahl and Cr Richard Ireland, who together bring almost 30 years of local government experience.
Both announced earlier this year that they would not recontest their seats at the 2026 local government elections.
Mayor Holmdahl has served on Council for 17 years, 12 of them as Mayor. Cr Ireland has served for 12 years, having won his seat at the 2014 election.
Mayor Holmdahl said she believes the municipality has grown stronger, more connected and more forward-looking since she joined Council.
“Serving this community has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. Every challenge, every decision and every achievement have been shaped by the trust that you placed in me and in our Council,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
She said the region’s progress was a collective achievement shared with all the Councillors she has served alongside over the years.
“Major infrastructure, enhancements to recreational and cultural amenities, support for business and economic growth, community engagements with community and environmental stewardship initiatives, were never mine alone,” she said.
“They belong to our dedicated Council staff, my fellow councillors, our community, our volunteers and most of all the people of the West Tamar, who have always shown passion, drive and a willingness to work together.”
During her time on Council, Mayor Holmdahl also served as President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania and Vice-President of the Australian Local Government Association.
She has also been an active volunteer in the arts and small business sectors, as inaugural vice-chair of the Festival of Golden Words Writers Festival (now the Tamar Valley Writers Festival). Her memberships include the West Tamar Rotary Club, West Tamar Arts Group, West Tamar Chamber of Commerce, Tamar Valley Film Society, Tamar Valley U3A, Kelso Fire Brigade, Beaconsfield Rural Fire Service and the Australian Independent Retirees Northern Tasmania branch.
She also helped establish the National Rose Garden at Woolmers Estate in Longford and served on the board of the Adelaide Rose Festival.
In recognition of her contributions to the local government sector and the broader community, Mayor Holmdahl was inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2023.
Looking ahead, Mayor Holmdahl said she leaves the role confident in the strength of the West Tamar community and full of optimism for its future.
Before his election to Council, Cr Ireland founded emergency warning light company Hazard Systems in 1987. He sold the business in 2003, by which time it employed 50 people and had won many awards.
Cr Ireland said hard work, integrity and competence were vitally important traits for any elected member.
“Serving as a councillor has been a wonderful experience. It has opened my eyes to just how much goes on behind the scenes to keep a community like West Tamar functioning,” Cr Ireland said.
“And it functions extremely well, thanks to the many people who work hard to make it happen. It’s a pity that so much of that work goes unseen.
“I’ve met some incredibly professional and dedicated people—within Council, in the community and across Tasmania. They work extremely hard, often without much recognition, to make West Tamar a better place.”
Outside the Council chamber, Cr Ireland has been deeply involved in his community. He has been a member of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce, Launceston Film Society, Tamar Valley Writers Festival, Farmgate Festival, Neighbourhood Watch, CORES (Community Response to Eliminating Suicide), the Seniors Advisory Group and many other community groups.
Council CEO Kristen Desmond paid tribute to both Councillors for their dedication and commitment to the West Tamar community.