Shire of Mount Magnet council election: Five seats up for grabs, 10 hopefuls nominate

Five seats will be available in this year’s Shire of Mount Magnet election, with 10 nominees putting their names forward.

President Jim McGorman and sitting shire councillors Jason Homewood, Cecilia Kelly and Catherine Jones have put their hands up for re-election, with six other candidates also in the running.

Cecilia Kelly

Cecilia Kelly calls Mount Magnet home and is keen to continue serving on the council. Over the past five years she has represented the community and worked alongside fellow councillors to enhance the wellbeing and development of Mount Magnet.

Throughout her tenure, she said she had proudly served as a voice for the Badimia people and advocated for inclusive and meaningful change.

Ms Kelly believes Mount Magnet has made significant progress in recent years, and is committed to being part of the decisions that shape its future.

“My dedication to this community is unwavering,” she said. “I hold our collective interests close to heart and strive to ensure that every voice is heard and respected. I am especially passionate about creating opportunities and a brighter future for our children who are the next generation of leaders and change makers,” she said.

“I stand for unity, progress, and representation for all. It would be an honour to continue serving and contributing to the growth and strength of our community.”

Jorgen Jensen

Jorgen Jensen feels he has more to offer the community as an elected member following the previous 15 years of council experience he completed in 2023.

He is fully invested in the shire of Mount Magnet, through both his contracting business and his pastoral business at Yoweragabbie Station.

Mr Jensen said his interest in returning to the council — after being asked to do so — was to ensure open, transparent governance of the organisation, to promote the shire developing a business-friendly environment, and to ensure the community was placed first and foremost in the decision-making process.

“I have called this shire my home for my entire life, interspersed with some periods away, and my commitment to it has only grown,” he said.

Roselyn Little

Ms Little was born in Mount Magnet and has proudly worked in education, childcare, and community services for more than 30 years.

A qualified teacher, she has taught in regional WA schools and at Mount Magnet District High School since 2015.

She said she valued teamwork, adaptability, and listening to diverse voices.

“With strong local ties and a commitment to positive change, I seek to represent our community by contributing to decisions that shape a strong future for Mount Magnet,” Ms Little said.

Pennoschea Little

Pennoschea Little’s ancestral roots run deep in Badimia country and many regions throughout WA. As a single parent, she works part-time for a local mining company, which allows her to be active at the ground level of our community.

Ms Little is co-owner of an online business, Flanno, with 50 per cent of its profits going towards mental health and suicide prevention organisations.

“As a council candidate, I stand for equity, and I am committed to bringing open communication and accountability to our community,” she said.

Paul Tonkin

Paul Tonkin grew up in a small country town in north-west Queensland and sees the similarities with Mount Magnet in terms of the issues facing regional Australia.

He came to Mount Magnet to operate his already established business about two years ago, and to join his partner, shire CEO Tralee Cable.

Mr Tonkin said he felt he would be a positive and active council participant in trying to initiate positive change for the town.

He has experienced first-hand the difficulties establishing a business in town because of a lack of available industrial land, and the difficulties local government has in securing the co-operation of State Government departments.

“I believe council have an important role in advocating for less red tape and more productivity in local communities to drive a strong local economy,” he said.

Mr Tonkin generates his income outside the Shire boundaries and said he felt it should be a matter of policy that local councillors did not engage in work for the shire during their terms.

“This would, in my view, increase the trust of the community and remove the sometimes notion that councillors are being on the shire for their own interest only,” he said.

Paul Noble

Paul Noble came to Mount Magnet 17 years go with partner Karin and three kids Jennifer, Jeffrey and Jayden.

He has worked for the Shire of Mount Magnet and himself, contracting mostly to the shire.

He was named Mount Magnet’s active citizen of the year in 2013 for volunteering for St John WA and fixing local infrastructure.

In his time in the community, Mr Noble has built and repaired many things, including raising the footpath for ease of access into most businesses on the main street.

He currently serves in the fire brigade.

“I would love to serve our town on council by making fair and sound decisions, always having the town’s best interest at heart,” he said.

“Your vote is important.”

Jason Homewood

Jason Homewood has lived in the Mount Magnet area since 2008 and been on the shire council and Murchison Regional Vermin Council since 2011.

Initially a co-owner and then owner of Murchison Mechanical Services, Mr Homewood sold this business and bought Wondinong Station with wife Lara Jensen. They also have another business, Remote Area Mechanical Services, a mechanical and earthmoving business.

During his time in Mount Magnet, Mr Homewood has been a member of Voluntary Fire and Rescue, where he was captain for a period of time. He is the captain of the Bush Fire Brigade and also involved in the local race club and gymkhana club.

“I have a young family who are growing up in the community as well as being educated through School of the Air, so I understand raising and educating children in remote areas,” he said.

Mick Madden

Mick Madden is nominating for the council, saying “it would be a privilege to give something back to the community that I have called home for the past 30 years”.

He started out with Monadelphous Engineering before launching his own business and eventually taking over Monadelphous’ workshop.

Owning various properties in Mount Magnet — residential and industrial — Mr Madden said he had always tried to employ locals when possible, including many apprentices over the years.

A life member of the Mt Magnet Race Club, Mr Madden has contributed to many events through sponsorship and supplying equipment to help out, and has also supported the historical society in moving heavy equipment as required.

“As a councillor I will provide an unbiased view to decisions made by council, be approachable and listen to residents’ concerns, and help our community move forward in a positive way,” he said.

Jim McGorman

Shire president Jim McGorman is renominating for the council. Having lived in the community for more than 30 years, he is passionate about ensuring the town continues to thrive and remains a welcoming, safe place for everyone.

Coming to Mount Magnet in the 1990s to work in the pastoral industry before working underground at Hill 50 Gold Mine in 2000, Mr McGorman then established his own small local carpentry and building company.

A member of the Mount Magnet Historical Society, he has volunteered on several community projects and also contributes to the race club, where in 2024 he was honoured with life membership.

Mr McGorman has also been an active member of the Volunteer Fire Brigade for more than 25 years, serving several terms as captain — a position he still holds today.

He has served several terms as a councillor, and was elected shire president by the council two years ago.

“My history in council allows me to bring a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a deep understanding of the responsibilities and integrity required of an elected member,” he said

If elected, Mr McGorman said he would continue to support community engagement and inclusive, transparent and accountable decision-making, plan responsibly for the future and preserving what made the community unique while supporting local families, businesses and community groups.

“I believe in listening, being approachable and working with residents to get things done,” he said.

Catherine Jones

Catherine Jones has been a Mount Magnet Shire councillor since December 2023 and sees her role as representing the people in the community — to be approachable, listen intently, and to converse in a respectful manner whether she agrees or disagrees.

She said she was not on the council to represent her own self-interest but that of the community.

Ms Jones said she brought honesty and integrity to the role, and while she could not promise everybody to always give them what they wanted, she vowed to be informed, ethical and professional in respectful debate and deliberative decision-making.

“As a shire council member, I am aware that I am entrusted by this community to represent local views, make sound decisions, and utilise public funds effectively to deliver services and amenities for this community,” she said.

Mount Magnet is holding an in-person election, meaning electors need to vote between now and 4pm on Friday, October 17 or on election day between 8am and 6pm in-person at the shire office at 90 Hepburn Street, Mount Magnet. Eligible electors will need to bring identification.