Let's Get Kiama Council BACK TO BASICS Roads, Rates, Rubbish, Recreation
How To Vote for Mark Croxford & Your Community Candidates
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How Your Vote Counts
Understanding how your vote works is crucial to making sure it has the maximum impact. In the Kiama Council elections, which use a proportional representation system, the order of your preferences plays a significant role in determining which candidates get elected.
Because our group does not have an above-the-line group voting square, to vote for Mark Croxford, you must vote below the line.
The following information will help you better understand why this is necessary and how it works so that you can maximise the value of your vote in support of Mark Croxford and Your Community Candidates.
When you vote below the line, you are asked to rank at least 5 candidates in the order you prefer.
If your first preference reaches the required quota of votes to be elected, any extra votes they receive above that quota are transferred to your next preferred candidate.
This means that your vote continues to help elect other candidates, according to the order you’ve indicated.
For example, by voting 1 for Mark Croxford and 2 for Robert Bartlett, if either of them reaches a quota and is elected, the surplus votes will then flow to your 3rd, 4th, and 5th choices (Darren Ormsby, Michael O'Toole, and Yasmin Tatrai from Group G). This way, your vote helps ensure that more of the candidates you support get elected.
However, if a candidate you voted for is eliminated from the count, like if Michael O'Toole doesn’t have enough votes to stay in the race, your vote doesn’t just disappear. Instead, it skips over him and goes to the next preference you marked, in this case, Yasmin Tatrai from Group G. This ensures that your vote continues to influence the election, even if your initial candidates are no longer in the running.
It’s important to remember that you cannot vote both above and below the line on your ballot paper. If you do, your vote will be deemed informal and will not be counted. This means your vote won’t help elect Mark Croxford or other candidates from the Your Community Candidates team. To avoid this, simply follow the below-the-line instructions and number at least 5 candidates.
By following the recommended preference order, you not only strengthen your vote for our team but also help support like-minded candidates who align with our vision to Get Kiama Council Back to Basics.
Remember, every preference counts—so number at least 5 candidates to ensure your vote is fully utilised!
Meet Your Community Candidates
Mark Croxford
Mark Croxford
Mark Croxford
Mark Croxford is a 62 year-old incumbent councillor, a semi-retired corporate & public affairs consultant, and a mental health advocate for veterans and first responders. Before being elected to Kiama council in 2021, he had served as Chair of Kiama’s Combined Community Advocacy Group, North Precinct, and as President of the Kiama High School P&C Association. As a consultant lobbyist across the three tiers of government, Mark's clients included ASX-listed companies. A 20-year Navy veteran with operational service in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Mark also worked as a senior ministerial political and media adviser in the Howard Government. Married to Cath and a father of four, his leadership is continually driven by a strong sense of duty and dedication to community service.
Rob Bartlett
Mark Croxford
Mark Croxford
Rob Bartlett is a 31-year-old Chartered Accountant who began his career at Ernst & Young in Sydney, where he worked as an accountant and tax advisor from 2014 to 2021. In 2021, Rob moved to the South Coast to take over the operations of his family business, a role that has allowed him to engage deeply with the local community. Passionate about enhancing tourism and hospitality in the region, Rob collaborates with local businesses to drive growth and prosperity for the entire area. A member of the Gerringong Bowling Club, Rob values the connections he builds through his work and family. As an active and fitness-focused individual, he enjoys exploring the natural beauty of the Kiama region with his family, embodying the perfect balance between professional dedication, community involvement, and a love for the outdoors.
Darren Ormsby
Darren Ormsby
Darren Ormsby
Darren Ormsby is a 59-year-old small business owner in Kiama and the Country Manager for an international company supplying one of the world's largest retailers. With a career history that includes five years as a Logistics Manager and several years as General Manager for leading Rugby Clubs in Sydney, including Eastwood and Gordon, Darren brings extensive leadership experience to his community. A former sommelier in fine dining, he also supports the Kiama Rugby Club, reflecting his deep connection to both Australian and New Zealand rugby traditions. Darren has lived in Kiama for the past five years with his family, where he is a strong advocate for the NDIS program, driven by his personal experience as a parent of children on the Spectrum. His dedication to fostering a supportive and inclusive community is at the heart of his commitment to Kiama.
Mick O'Toole
Darren Ormsby
Darren Ormsby
Mick O'Toole is a 60-year-old former Superintendent in the NSW Police Force, with a career spanning nearly four decades. Mick began his working life at the Bank of NSW before transitioning to local government with Wollongong City Council, where he earned his Business Degree, majoring in Local Government. In 1990, he joined the NSW Police Force, serving in various locations until his retirement in 2019 as Superintendent of Bankstown Command. The majority of his policing career was dedicated to the Shoalhaven and Illawarra areas, where he played a significant role as the Region Sponsor for Domestic and Family Violence. Mick’s deep roots in the community are further demonstrated by his involvement with local organisations, including the Gerringong Lions Club, Gerringong Surf Life Saving Club, and the Kiama Blowhards rugby team. He was also the last 'lock up keeper' at the Gerringong Police Station. Married with three adult children, Mick remains committed to community service and fostering safety and well-being in the region he has served for so many years.
We Need A Council That...
Our community needs a Council that listens and delivers on the basics. By returning to core priorities—Roads, Rates, Rubbish, and Recreation—we can create a Council that truly serves the needs of residents, ratepayers, and businesses. To bring about these essential changes, we need your support.
A Team With Energy & Experience
Your Community Candidates is a team of local candidates with energy, and would bring many and varied skills and experience from across a broad range of sectors. Our team has the know-how to make things happen in a sensible and balanced way, and deliver cost-effective outcomes.
Don’t Risk A Council Influenced By Party Politics
Party Politics has no place in Local Government. Party political agendas can drive up rates and divert attention away from the real needs of local ratepayers. If elected we will work to ensure the Council focus is on what matters most - serving our community free from party political agendas.