Seven years ago, I prepared a speech for my inauguration for my first term on the Northern Beaches Council. I spoke about working as part of the first 15 to build a strong, robust organisation with accountability and transparency at its core, ensuring that we listen to our community, hearing their voices. I'm very proud of the achievements at that first and subsequent council. A council recognised externally by many awards, including the prestigious Bluett Award under Ray Brownlee and now Scott Phillips, our council and its amazing staff have continued to deliver and step up for our community during floods, fires, storms, and the COVID pandemic. 

We're a council that is open and focused on the issues that matter most, protecting our extraordinary environment and supporting our community, and its wellbeing. I'd like to acknowledge our most recent council for its work and a special shout out to those Councillors that have departed either by choice or through no fault of your own. Thank you for your service to our community. 

In this term, our council sees an increased majority of women. We are demonstrating to our daughters that their leadership is valued. I'm also excited to welcome our two young people onto council and I look forward to having your voices at the table. Many of the issues we address in council has really long-term implications, land use planning, asset ownership, infrastructure investment. We must have an eye ahead as we invest, protect, and develop and grow, and ensure that future generations will benefit from and can afford the decisions that we make today, we've begun this term of council at a time of increasing housing stress and a two-speed economy. Those renting and with large mortgages are facing a cost of living crisis, whereas those who own homes or rely on fixed interest incomes are likely doing okay. 

Local businesses are finding trading tough. It's difficult to find employees and we are seeing a reduction in the working age population as young people and families are priced out and are leaving the beaches. Housing is a critical issue and will involve all levels of government to find solutions and I look forward to working together on a strategy to address our part of this wicked problem. And I acknowledge the inherent tension in ensuring adequate housing for our community with the desire to protect our extraordinary environment and the way that we live. 

Other economic issues such as provision of infrastructure, traffic and transport, and active transport, our recreational assets, our beaches, pools, parks, and playground remain of really high importance. And in Manly, I continue to hear demand to revitalise the centre of Manly agree in appropriate use for this historic building to fund and design upgrades for Manly Surf Clubs, but also at North Steyne Surf Club. And I'd love us to be able to create an upgraded civic precinct to support the daytime Manly economy centred on an updated library. I also continue to hear of the needs of our villages supporting local activity and sorting out Manly Vale with more than just a sign. 

My role at Lifeline Northern Beaches has given me greater insight into community needs on the beaches and highlighted for me the inadequate funding of critical community services. People are under pressure, impacting mental and physical health, family and domestic violence often exacerbated by misuse of alcohol and gambling. This role has also demonstrated to me the enormous capacity of our community in caring for others, especially the commitment of extraordinary volunteers, local organisations and staff who help others every day. Council have done a lot of great strategic work for supporting the fabric of strong community and belonging. And it's important, especially during a cost of living crisis, that these initiatives continue to be supported. And a quick shout out to the Lifeline Shops. Thanks for putting together this evening's outfit. Circular economy is right here whilst also helping Lifeline Northern Beaches to fund its critical suicide prevention and support services. It really is local supporting locals. 

Election results aren't successful without an enormous amount of support from family, friends, and community. Thank you to my fantastic running mates, David and Rachel. Thanks for your hours and passion dedicated in the campaign. We were this close to having two of us here. 

Thank you to the Your Northern Beaches Independent Team. What a fun, wonderful, and passionate group of locals. Thanks to the behind the scenes support crew too. You know who you are. 

Thanks to Candy, Bonnie, and the other Manly candidates. It was a friendly and positive community democracy vibe. 

Thank you to my friends, family, and community members who helped at pre-poll delivering flyers and on Election Day. Your good humour and friendly demeanour is appreciated by ourself and our community. 

Thanks to my parents for their never failing support, for your sage advice, for sacrificing shoe leather, feeding us regularly, scrutineering, and most incredibly sorting out our house and garden while we were on holidays last week. 

Thank you to my three gorgeous daughters. You wore the orange with practised aplomb and thanks for attempting to improve my social media presence, especially with that very embarrassing TikTok video. Thanks for coping so well with distracted parents for helping to cook dinner or picking up the takeaway. Sophie for driving Madi around and not being too upset by us missing critical dance events. And a shout out for your help at pre-poll and Election Day, including Emily for roping in her uni housemates from Canberra. 

But my biggest thank you is reserved for my wonderful husband, an incredible campaign warrior Paul. You are relentless in support of me every day, spent dressed like a traffic cone. And then on the hustings with your unique campaign line, "Please, vote for my lovely wife." From the time spent on the phone to the electoral commission to setting up and packing down all the polling booths to spending all day every day at pre-poll on top of driving us around, feeding us, and even doing the laundry. This is a Team Grattan achievement and it wouldn't be possible without you. I love you, darling. Thank you so much.