Farewell to the First Lady of Kempsey
Published on 25 July 2022
This week marks the last days of Councillor Liz Campbell’s tenure on Council, the former Mayor and leader of the community, known simply as Liz to us all, who has chosen to take a new step in her life and career in her cherished Macleay Valley.
Kempsey Shire Councillor Anthony Patterson served as Deputy Mayor during Liz’s time as Mayor. In his tribute to her at the last meeting of Council he described her as “a very special lady” noting “Liz’s vitality, vision, political savvy, collaborative style, sound leadership and stylish presence will be sorely missed.”
Elected to Kempsey Shire Council in 2008, Liz served two years as Deputy Mayor before being elected Mayor in 2011. In 2012, Liz became the shire’s first popularly elected Mayor before being re-elected Mayor in 2016 for a second four-year term that was extended to December 2021 due to the pandemic.
Her leadership in times of bushfire, flood and drought was inspiring for the whole country. She tirelessly lobbied State and Federal Governments as well as generously giving her time and great compassion to local people.
Some highlights of Council’s achievements under her leadership include:
- In 2017 carrying out a comprehensive external review of the organisation’s structure and culture that initiated a period of significant change, transformation and growth.
- Council gifted the land in Reginald Ward Street to Macleay Vocational College so it could continue the vital work it does.
- Overseeing the delivery of the Kempsey Bypass Masterplan to revitalise our CBD into a destination of choice once Kempsey was no longer a highway town.
- The Kempsey cinema complex, a collaborative effort between government, Council and business, that delivered a $6 million state of the art facility that opened in December 2019.
- The Country Universities Centre welcomed its first students in 2021 with Liz proud to hold the position of CUC’s first Chair.
Liz also started the mayoral community fund, which has donated funds to many students, clubs and community groups. The fund was established using money saved through Liz relinquishing her mayoral entitlements, such as using her personal car rather than taking a Council allocated vehicle and paying her own way many times when on Council business.
Kempsey Shire Council and the wider community have never had the benefit of a servant more passionate, proud and dedicated to the people of the Macleay than Mayor Liz Campbell.
We can all only echo the sentiments of Councillor Patterson who offered “our heartfelt thanks for all that you gave, and our admiration for all that you have achieved over the past 14 years. You have set the Mayoral standard and benchmark that we can only aspire to."