Rob Katter MP
State Member for Mount Isa, Chair of The Lead Alliance
State Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, was born and raised in North Queensland and has a strong empathy for rural and regional communities. Robbie has lived and worked in the North West since 2001 and owned and operated his own business in Mount Isa. He worked in the property valuation industry for 16 years, following studies at university, after a two-year stint working in the mines. Robbie served on the Mount Isa City Council as councillor for four years before being elected to Queensland Parliament in 2012 where he currently sits on the Mental Health Select Committee and the State Development and Regional Industries Committee. Robbie is a keen sport fan and is still participating in local sports, having played a high level of rugby league in his younger days.
Robbie has two Electorate Offices one in Charters Towers and the other in Mount Isa where he lives with his wife Daisy and daughters Peaches and Rosie. Robbie is a keen animal lover having fostered and adopted several dogs through the local animal rescue Paws Hoofs and Claws, he has been known to tread the boards at the local theatre in the past and can often be found attending sporting events on the weekend. Robbie is a qualified pilot and uses these skills to navigate his way around the vast Traeger electorate in his own plane.
As chair of the Lead Alliance, Robbie believes all parties in the Alliance are working well towards ensuring Mount Isa is a safe, liveable city.
Councillor Danielle Slade
Mayor of Mount Isa
I was born in England to two very hardworking parents who decided to immigrate to Mount Isa when I was 7 years old. At that time, there was 52 nationalities in Mount Isa, all of whom came here for work and the promise of a better life.
I know the challenges and how much immigrants give up to start a new life in a new country, leaving behind family, friends, traditions and a way of life that’s familiar. And while I was lucky to be able to speak the language, I’m not so sure anyone understood me for the first year or two with a broad Birmingham accent.
Growing up in my very early years in our multicultural city of Mount Isa has nurtured my ethical and moral attitude towards what’s right and fair.
Straight after school I got a job at Mount Isa Mines and bought a property a year later. I now own three properties and have been a ratepayer for 33 years.
Growing up in Mount Isa I understand full well how important sport is to the city. It’s very hard to live here without being drawn into fundraising for different community charities, organisations and clubs and I’m proud of the contribution I have made over the years.
I am married to a wonderful man who was born in Mount Isa. We have two beautiful boys born in Mount Isa who are now 8 and 5 years old.
I worked at Mount Isa Mines for 25 years and left the mines after my first child was born.
I am an executive board member of the Mount Isa Irish Association and until recently a Director of the Mount Isa Water Board.
Mount Isa needs to be sustainable in down times and we need to take advantage in economic booms. It’s vital to become a more affordable place to live and create business opportunities. We need to have access to higher education, improved health services with reduced waiting times and we need to improve training and employment opportunities.
I want to work hard to see a bright, exciting future in Mount Isa for all of us.
Maryann Wipaki
General Manager Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC)
Maryann Wipaki is an executive with more than 25 years’ experience in the mining industry. In 2021, Maryann was awarded the Dyno Nobel Exceptional Woman in Australian Resources. As the General Manager for Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) for Glencore Zinc Assets Australia she leads a substantial portfolio covering health and safety, environmental performance, community engagement and social performance with responsibilities spanning several mining and processing operations. At an international level, Maryann supports Glencore’s global HSEC functions.
Maryann commenced her mining career at Mount Isa Mines in the mid 90s, moving into the safety field in the early
2000’s. Maryann was appointed Manager Safety and Health for North Queensland in 2006, a portfolio which grew
exponentially in 2012, taking on a broadened scope of responsibilities including those functions essential to the
sustainability of the mining operations and its social license to operate. In 2017 Maryann was appointed into a new
General Manager Health, Safety, Environment and Community position.
Born and raised in Cloncurry Queensland, she is actively involved in regional committees and groups, with a key focus on sustainable improvements in HSEC performance and outcomes. She holds a key position on the Queensland Mining Safety and Health Advisory Committee for the Queensland Minister for Resources.
Sean brings over 38 years of nursing experience, including 20 years in senior leadership and management roles. Recently Sean worked as the Health Department COVID-19 System Response Lead coordinating the state’s COVID-19 operational response.
Sean holds post graduate qualifications in Critical Care Nursing and Masters in Health Management and is currently an executive member of the Queensland Clinical Senate.
Sean has a keen interest in the development of staff into leadership roles and the promotion of new models of care. He also has a keen interest in disaster management and preparedness. Sean provides ongoing support to Indonesian nurses and health executives working in Bali as part of the Bali Memorial Package. This role incorporates assisting in the improvement of health services in Bali and developing the leadership and management skills of Balinese healthcare workers.
Sean is enjoying the challenges and opportunities of working in a remote environment at North West HHS.
