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You Are Here : Home / Council/ Mayor and Councillors / Councillor Neil Reilly

Councillor Neil Reilly

Mayor

c/- Kiama Municipal Council
PO Box 75
KIAMA NSW 2533

Telephone0408 625 359
Email neil.reilly@kiama.nsw.gov.au

I have represented the Kiama community as a councillor since 2008, including a year as deputy mayor.

My qualifications are in marketing, international relations and local government.

My career has been in the field of advertising and marketing, I also served with the Australian Defence Force.

Although retired, I consider being a councillor my job. I am married to Wendy and we have three adult children.

My role in the community is an exceptional opportunity.

Imagine having the chance to work in the best place on earth with its best people and contribute to the well-being of both.

Council should be seeking outcomes that give us shared benefits and impose shared responsibilities.

There are joys, challenges and critical thinking, I love it.

Mayor's column

End of year message

The Mayor wishes everyone the best of health and happiness for 2024.

Local Councils often cop a lot of criticism and some of it is fair. While it's important to acknowledge all voices, it's equally crucial to focus on the positive, tangible outcomes of the work we do, day in and day out. At our recent Ordinary Meeting, we endorsed our Annual Report 2022-23, which shows the depth and breadth of what we achieve across the community.

Remembrance and the Red Cross

Around the world, whenever a humanitarian crisis occurs, the Red Cross or Red Crescent is always one of the first organisations on the scene, thanks in part to money raised here by the Kiama, Jamberoo and Gerringong Red Cross Branches.

Speech to Business Chamber

The following is a speech delivered by Mayor Neil Reilly at the annual Mayoral Breakfast, hosted by the Kiama and District Business Chamber on Friday 6 October 2023.

Transformative ideas in local government

Some of the stuff I do as Mayor is challenging, some is inspiring and some is downright exhilarating. I’ve had a little of all those this week, and it’s only Wednesday!

Spring fever

With the change of season, comes a change of perspective. I suppose I have suffered the hard knocks of life, like we all have. I’ve pulled through OK, with a few scars to show, but given as good as I got. But I never thought about my own mortality at all really, until I was diagnosed with cancer.

Balancing Kiama's growth and legacy

As a community, we wish to move forward with developing our towns to meet the needs of a growing twenty-first century community. At the same time, we hold closely to the rich history and the stories embedded in our streets, buildings, and landmarks.

Blue Haven Bonaira tender process begins

Kiama Council has announced a momentous step in the process of divesting Blue Haven Bonaira.

Sustainability: how we thrive - 9 August 2023

Pillar two of our Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: we thrive in a sustainable environment. But what on earth does that mean? I’ve recently taken to the road in our new Mayoral vehicle, which is an EV (electric vehicle). This has prompted me to think about this issue.

A connected community - 26 July 2023

The fourth pillar of Kiama Council’s Community Strategic Plan (CSP) is: “We are part of a connected and liveable community”.

The pillars of local wisdom - 12 July 2023

Our Community Strategic Plan includes five pillars. Pillar 1: We belong and contribute.
"We belong and contribute" highlights our commitment to creating an inclusive, engaged, and empowered community.

Better together - 16 June 2023

I believe that building strong relationships will open doors to strong partnerships.

New advisory committees - 1 June 2023

In the grand scheme of things, committees often get a bad rap. They're wrongly seen as slow-moving, self-centred and find it difficult to reach a decision. Let’s try to change this perspective.

Volunteering in our Municipality - 17 May 2023

Not a single event, community service or initiative happens in our community without the hard work and dedication of volunteers.

Mayor’s Anzac Day speech – April 2023

I am deeply honoured to be here today as we gather to remember and pay tribute to the brave men and women who have served our nation in times of war and peace. In Kiama, rich in history and community spirit, we are reminded of the resilience and sacrifice that our Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women have shown throughout the years.

Embracing change for a brighter future - 19 April 2023

Change is an inevitable part of life. Whether we welcome it with open arms or resist it with all our might, it is a constant force that shapes our lives. Our community is currently experiencing a period of growth, innovation, and new possibilities.

Season change, climate change and government change - 5 April 2023

We are all affected by the impacts of climate change, particularly in coastal communities – from rising sea levels to warming ocean temperatures, acidification of our oceans and extreme weather events – and it’s natural to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge before us.

Election time - 22 March 2023

It’s the NSW State election this weekend and although our local council elections are a year or so behind us, I doubt there is a single councillor who won’t remember how it feels. We recall the anxiousness, the sheer mental effort and the excitement that our state candidates are experiencing right now.

The best place on Earth

So, here we all are, in the best place on earth. It’s official, verified and fair dinkum. I’m talking of course about Kiama being declared Australia’s best small town by demographer Bernard Salt, who crunched the numbers from the 2021 Census to come up with the results.

The challenge of change

If you have ever thought about attending a council meeting, next Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting is the one to see. At this meeting, the future of our aged care facility and the financial future of the council will be discussed.

Australia Day 2023

When asked about why we have Australia Day on 26 January I give the answer…every day is Australia Day!

Mayor-y Christmas

I am going to borrow a quote from Kelly Clarkson the singer who said “The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn’t matter what mood you’re in or what kind of a year you’ve had – it’s a fresh start”.

Interconnectedness

We are all part of a larger picture. British writer Douglas Adams is probably best known for The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, but just as good is Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency in which he coined the phrase ‘the fundamental interconnectedness of all things’.

Reading and libraries

I learned lifelong lessons from the first book I read… and the last and the next one! The first book I ever read was called 5 Pennies to Spend. I was five years old, so there was symmetry. I think I loved the pictures as much as the story.

The Business of Council

This week I addressed the annual Mayor’s Breakfast hosted by the Kiama and District Business Chamber. My thanks to the Chamber for allowing me the chance to speak directly to a large and important part of our community: our local business owners and operators.