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PROUD Western Downs resident Greg Olm, who has 16 years of experience in local government, has announced his nomination as a candidate for the Western Downs Regional Council (WCRC) in next month’s election.
Greg spent eight years as a member of the former Chinchilla Shire Council before serving a further eight years a councillor for the Western Downs Regional Council, following Queensland local government amalgamations in 2008.
Greg was in charge of the all-important Works portfolio on the Western Downs Regional Council, travelling the length and breadth of the region to inspect roads and bridges and consult with rate payers and residents.
“I really think I can return to council and offer something more to the community,” Greg said.
“I’ve very community-minded and I’m keen to get back out there and do something that’s close to my heart. I enjoy talking to people, seeing a bit of country and getting the job done.”
It was through his encouragement and advocacy that the new bridge at Burncluith was named the Stan Wolski bridge, a welcome tribute to former Chinchilla shire councillor, Stan Wolski.
“I really enjoyed the Works portfolio. At the end of the day, when you put a bit gravel on the road you can see where you’ve been and you’ve got something to show for your work.”
Greg has conducted a small farming and grazing business on the Western Downs since 1982, having grown up in farming. He was also employed for 33 years in the grain industry.
People who have had the opportunity to know him, either personally or through council consultations, have said he is extremely reliable, will listen and “gets on with the job.” This has gained him enormous support both inside and out of council.
“Greg Olm is a lifelong resident of the Brigalow and Chinchilla area and has served as councillor on both the Chinchilla and Western Downs councils,” said Bill McCutcheon, former mayor of the Chinchilla Shire Council.
“He knows and understands the problems and concerns of the residents on the Western Downs.”
Former Chinchilla News and Murilla Advertiser owner David Fuller, current WDRC councillor and 2024 re-election candidate Peter Saxelby, and Phillip Keating of Keating Keatings Funerals and Keating Hardware, are among Western Downs locals who have expressed their support for Greg’s nomination.
Many will know Greg as the voice behind the microphone at the annual Brigalow Charity Bush Carnival, where over the past five years $50,000 has been donated to various charities, including $10,000 last year to LifeFlight.
Initially, he was a competitor at the first bush sports held in 1960 before joined the committee in 1985 and serving as either president and spokesperson for the past 39 years.
Others will know Greg for his cooking, having taken out the Reserve Champion Cake at the 2023 Chinchilla Show and walking away with a number of prizes in the jams, pickles, cakes and lemon butter.
Greg is vice-president of the Chinchilla committee Friends of Illoura, which has recently taken delivery of a bus and trailer for the Illoura Village aged care home. The committee was successful in raising $297,588 for this project.
In addition, Greg has judged the Chinchilla Rotary Club barley competition on several occasions.
Throughout his public career and charity work, Greg was always lovingly supported by his late wife Gwenda, their four children, and grandchildren.
When Gwenda died of cancer seven years ago Greg threw himself into raising money through the Cancer Walk for Life initiative and other related fund-raisers.
Follow Greg campaign to be come a councillor for the WDRC via his Facebook page.
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