Councillors play a vital leadership role, working together to create and implement our community’s vision, strategic direction and the values within which they operate.

Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors are all elected for four-year terms. The West Tamar Council has seven (7) Councillors, including the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who are popularly elected.

Committee members will be updated in the coming weeks once the new Council is sworn in.

Rick Shegog

Mayor

Rick has been a Councillor since 2007, served as Deputy Mayor since August 2025 and was elected Mayor in 2026.

Rick and has two children in their 20s and lives at Trevallyn. Rick grew up in Exeter on a farm, went to Exeter Primary and Riverside High Schools then Launceston College. He participated in local sporting clubs when he was younger and is the current Patron of the Exeter Cricket Club, and still plays cricket for the West Tamar over 50s team.

He went on to purchase a beef farm at Flowery Gully and owned a local agricultural business for over 13 years.

He continues his involvement with the community by attending events with the West Tamar Landcare group and was the council representative of the Rowella Hall committee for six years.

Rick is a paramedic with a degree in paramedicine, a Graduate Certificate in management and a Diploma in Emergency Management.

Rick is an experienced councillor which is important for good governance and good leadership. Rick wants to make your Council become more contemporary and inclusive, with increased community participation and consultation when making decisions.

DELEGATIONS:

Dr Julie Sladden

Deputy Mayor

Julie is the new Deputy Mayor Elect. Since being elected to West Tamar Council in 2022, I have worked hard to listen to residents and ensure community views and concerns are heard in Council decision-making. I believe good local government is about getting the basics right, spending wisely, planning sensibly and creating a community where people of all ages can thrive.

With more than 25 years’ experience as a doctor, I bring a common-sense, problem-solving approach to Council. I am always happy to hear from residents, discuss concerns and work to find practical solutions for our community.

DELEGATIONS:

Carl Cooper

Councillor

Carl Cooper is a newly elected West Tamar Councillor with extensive experience across education, pharmacy, small business, agriculture, music, and academia. He has worked as a registered teacher in Tasmania, the ACT, and New South Wales before retraining as a pharmacist.

He has owned and managed community pharmacies throughout the Riverina region and now works as a credentialed pharmacist conducting community medication reviews. 

His governance experience includes service on the NSW Pharmacy Council, Murrumbidgee Health Board, Riverina Primary Health Network, and the Council on the Ageing (Tasmania).

Together with his wife, Mandy, Carl owns and manages a farming property at Rowella. Until recently they operated a fat lamb enterprise and remain committed to supporting local businesses and sustainable farming practices.

A strong believer in community involvement, Carl participates in Tamar Valley Voices, the People of the Point Committee, Beaconsfield ANZAC Day commemorations, Exeter Christmas Carols and the Beaconsfield District Health Service Community Health Network.

Carl holds qualifications in teaching, pharmacy, music, and agriculture. He also maintains a current Working with Vulnerable People registration and National Police Clearance.

His diverse professional background, governance experience, and commitment to community service provide a strong foundation for representing and advocating for the people of the West Tamar.

Geoff Lyons OAM

Councillor

Work secretary Beaconsfield Hospital; business manager LGH; head of office to the Attorney General; MHR 2010- 13: chair Procedures Committee, member Health and Ageing Committee, Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry, Privileges and M’s Interests; Speakers Panel; chair of the Australian Parliamentary Friends of Surf Life Saving; chair of the Caucus Economics Committee. Volunteer president of the NTFA and NTNA, life member SLSA, SLST, LLSC, NLFC; OAM. I have contributed by supporting many projects on the West Tamar.

DELEGATIONS:

Jarryd English

Councillor

I’m a proud West Tamar local and passionate about our patch.

My resume is colourful and includes dual-trade qualifications in the electrical industry, over a decade of marketing and communications experience (including running my own business), and several years working in federal politics.

As the West Tamar’s youngest councillor, I bring energy, enthusiasm and a personal investment in the future of our communities. I strive to ensure our people are both seen and heard by Council.

I believe Council works best when it’s open, accessible and connected to the people it serves. You’ll often find me out and about at markets, community events and local businesses, and I’m always happy to have a chat.

If there’s something you’d like to raise, please get in touch. I’m here to represent everyone in the West Tamar.

Joy Allen

Councillor

I am an active member of our community and Council, I have been a councillor for 17 years, eight of these as Deputy Mayor.

I give proven full-time leadership and commitment to address your needs. We need to work together to build a strong healthy community. All essential services need to be delivered equally throughout our WT community including appropriate infrastructure.

I have past experience in Community Development, Youth, health and welfare. I am the current chair of both the Exeter Childcare Centre & Beaconsfield Health & Wellbeing Association. I am a community member of the Tamar Valley Business Association, the northern advisory committee & Exeter Improvement committee.

DELEGATIONS:

Justine Brooks

Councillor

Justine is a newly elected West Tamar Councillor, registered Town Planner and experienced senior executive with a background in local government, environmental planning, infrastructure and housing.

She holds a Master of Environmental Planning and a Master of Business Administration (Leadership). Her career includes serving as a Council General Manager, senior management roles with Homes Tasmania, and consulting in urban planning and infrastructure. She is currently Environment, Permitting and Community Engagement Manager at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine.

Justine believes great communities are built on more than good infrastructure – they’re about people, connections and the places that bring us together. She has a particular interest in placemaking, community arts and events, and loves seeing public spaces come alive when communities gather, create and celebrate together.

Justine serves on the NRM North Management Committee, is a long-term Vinnies Food Van volunteer and has held multiple board positions with community organisations supporting vulnerable Tasmanians.

She believes good leadership starts with listening and brings a practical, friendly and collaborative approach guided by integrity, transparency and evidence-based decision-making.

Justine welcomes conversations with residents and community groups and would love to hear your ideas for making the West Tamar an even better place to live.