Who We Are
What We Do
First Minutes Matter
KAP State Leader and Member for Traeger, Robbie Katter, was born and raised in Charters Towers, North Queensland and has a strong empathy for rural and regional communities.
Robbie has lived and worked in the North West since 2001 where he 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 State Member for Mount Isa. In 2017, this electorate was expanded and renamed Traeger.
A keen sports enthusiast, Robbie is still involved in local sports and enjoyed playing high level rugby league in his younger days.
He has also been involved with local theatre, performing in local events when his schedule allows and is a qualified pilot, and often uses this skill to navigate his way across the vast Traeger electorate.
He is a great believer in the individual’s right to prosper and believes the government should preserve that right.
Robbie is proud to serve as the Member for Traeger and the opportunity it gives him to speak out for his electorate, and broader rural and regional Queensland, in the State Parliament.
John Wharton has been in the Northern cattle industry all his life, having owned cattle properties in the Richmond and Etheridge Shire.
He was elected to the Richmond Shire Council in 1991 and went on to become Mayor in 1997. Being the Mayor for 20 years has placed him as the longest serving Mayor presently in Local Government in Queensland.
In June 2007 he was the recipient of a Member of the Order of Australia Award for his service to the community of North-West Queensland through Local Government, Regional Development, Natural Resource Management and Primary Industry Organizations. He also received the Centenary Medal in 2007 for distinguished service to Local Government.
He was appointed in January 2016, by Federal Minister Chris Pyne, to be the Interim Chair of the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia (DNA) and travelled extensively across the North, consulting with communities and businesses with regard to the establishment of the CRC. In February 2017, John was appointed as a board member to the CRC for DNA.
John manages and operates his own real estate business, Wharton & Co P/L, dealing in property and livestock. He also has an Agricultural consultancy business, with experience in a wide range of Agriculture in Northern Australia. These include Beef Cattle, Quarter horses, Cropping, Water Infrastructure, Goats, Camels, Pest Control and Land Management. He also has extensive knowledge of road construction and development costs with personal earthmoving experience and pricing knowledge from 26 years in Local Government.
John is a passionate believer in Northern Australia and its future and is well known as a person who speaks up for what he believes in. He believes diversity is the key to economic success and common sense and practicality will always work.
Tony McGrady has been a prominent figure in Mount Isa since 1963, where he and his wife, Sandra, have raised their two children, Susan and Paul. Tony's extensive career in public service began with his election to the Mount Isa City Council in 1973, where he later served as Mayor from 1985 to 1990.
Tony’s influence extended to Queensland Parliament in 1989, where he represented the State Seat of Mount Isa until his retirement in 2006. During his time in Parliament, Tony held several key positions, including Minister for Mines and Energy, Minister for State Development and Innovation, Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Speaker of the Parliament.
After retiring from State Parliament, Tony returned to local politics in 2012, successfully contesting the election for Mayor of Mount Isa. He served in this role until his retirement from politics in 2016.
In addition to his political career, Tony currently chairs several important organisations, including the Premier’s Ambassadors Council, the Copper String Regional Reference Group and the LifeFlight Regional Advisory Committee for the North West Region. His extensive experience and dedication to public service continue to shape and benefit the communities he serves.
Susan grew up on her family’s cattle property, 70km south of Cloncurry.
She was educated by Correspondence School and Mt Isa School of the Air before boarding school in Brisbane.
Her first job was cooking for a stock camp and working at Expo ’88 in Brisbane before going to the University of Queensland to study accounting with the idea she would go back to the family station to handle the bookkeeping.
But circumstances changed and she ended up in Brisbane where she worked in different businesses as an Accountant before going in as Chief of Staff for Natural Resources and Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps.
Susan’s family had bought a chain of butcher shops in Brisbane and the Gold Coast and she ran them for 6 years before being elected to the Australian Senate for Queensland.
She has three teenaged kids and is now based in Townsville.
Susan was elected to the Senate in May, 2019 after securing the No.2 spot on Queensland’s Liberal National Party ticket. She is currently the chairman of the Federal Government’s Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport committee.
Glencore has over 17,000 employees and contractors in Australia and is a major employer in North Queensland. Maryann was born and raised in North West Queensland and is proud to call Mount Isa home. With over 25 years experience in the metalliferous mining industry and a portfolio that includes emergency and injury management, Maryann is pleased to be part of a committee that has the potential to improve essential emergency services and patient outcomes for those in need in our communities.
Glencore has over 17,000 employees and contractors in Australia and is a major employer in North Queensland. Maryann was born and raised in North West Queensland and is proud to call Mount Isa home. With over 25 years experience in the metalliferous mining industry and a portfolio that includes emergency and injury management, Maryann is pleased to be part of a committee that has the potential to improve essential emergency services and patient outcomes for those in need in our communities.
Greg was born in Cairns and attended Saint Augustines College and later secured a degree in Business Accounting in Toowoomba.
He worked at Mount Isa Mines for 43 years where his roles centred around accountancy along with a time in housing and accommodation.
Sport has always featured in his life and he played rugby league and hockey for Mount Isa. Sport administration played a huge role in his sporting career where he served as President and Treasurer for the Rugby League Referees Association and Treasurer for both the junior and senior rugby league. He also refereed the Foley Shield Games for north Queensland.
Greg is married to Pam who is also involved supporting a number of local community organisations.
Greg was born in Cairns and attended Saint Augustines College and later secured a degree in Business Accounting in Toowoomba.
He worked at Mount Isa Mines for 43 years where his roles centred around accountancy along with a time in housing and accommodation.
Sport has always featured in his life and he played rugby league and hockey for Mount Isa. Sport administration played a huge role in his sporting career where he served as President and Treasurer for the Rugby League Referees Association and Treasurer for both the junior and senior rugby league. He also refereed the Foley Shield Games for north Queensland.
Greg is married to Pam who is also involved supporting a number of local community organisations.
With his most current role being the Regional Communicator for the Mount Isa Branch. He has a wealth of knowledge within the Transport & Logistics industry with multiple certificates to his name.
John started his working life as a truck driver & storeman at BBC Hardware back in 1992, he also spent 11 years working at Mount Isa Mines doing a variety of jobs ranging from truck driver, shift worker and coordinator.
John is married with 2 children, 1 grandson and a daughter- in law.
Today John is still as passionate about supporting the communities in which we live in, as he continues his work with Apex Australia and LifeFlight’s North West Regional Advisory Committee.
With his most current role being the Regional Communicator for the Mount Isa Branch. He has a wealth of knowledge within the Transport & Logistics industry with multiple certificates to his name.
John started his working life as a truck driver & storeman at BBC Hardware back in 1992, he also spent 11 years working at Mount Isa Mines doing a variety of jobs ranging from truck driver, shift worker and coordinator.
John is married with 2 children, 1 grandson and a daughter- in law.
Today John is still as passionate about supporting the communities in which we live in, as he continues his work with Apex Australia and LifeFlight’s North West Regional Advisory Committee.
Her background includes representation of Australian governments, companies and organisations both nationally and internationally.
Ms Vardon’s work in Indigenous education and services for Indigenous children and young people has received a Prime Minister’s Reconciliation Award.
Ms Vardon has held many leadership, board, and statutory roles, as a Director-General, Chief Executive, Commissioner and Adjunct Professor, in private, public and not-for-profit organisations, including education departments, children’s services departments, consumer affairs, a national charity, universities and tribunals.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member (Women for Media) of the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia.
Ms Vardon is the Chair of the North West Hospital and Health Board and is committed to working with communities to improve the delivery of high-quality healthcare across the region.
Her background includes representation of Australian governments, companies and organisations both nationally and internationally.
Ms Vardon’s work in Indigenous education and services for Indigenous children and young people has received a Prime Minister’s Reconciliation Award.
Ms Vardon has held many leadership, board, and statutory roles, as a Director-General, Chief Executive, Commissioner and Adjunct Professor, in private, public and not-for-profit organisations, including education departments, children’s services departments, consumer affairs, a national charity, universities and tribunals.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Managers and Leaders, a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a member (Women for Media) of the Women’s Leadership Institute Australia.
Ms Vardon is the Chair of the North West Hospital and Health Board and is committed to working with communities to improve the delivery of high-quality healthcare across the region.
Cr Campbell and his wife Ana have 3 children, Caleb, Cooper, and Scarlett. Greg completed his schooling years at the Cloncurry State School, finishing his final year as School Captain. Mayor Campbell’s family runs a beef cattle operation in the area and is very passionate about promoting the strength and importance of the industry and the high quality of the product produced. Having a thorough knowledge of this industry places Mayor Campbell in a prime position to lobby for funding and grants to assist growing the agricultural industry.
Mayor Campbell has been heavily involved in the community for many years including being a Rotarian, a Merry Muster Committee member, and a regular volunteer of the Cloncurry races, Show and school events. Mayor Campbell founded the Cloncurry Fish Stocking Committee in 2005 successfully stocking Barra in Chinaman Creek Dam. He was also one of the Co-Founders of the Cloncurry Football Club in 2006/07, becoming the Inaugural Treasurer and Junior Coach. All the above committees are still as strong today as they were when they were first initiated. Receiving the Cloncurry Shire Citizen of the Year Award in 2009 was a very proud moment, and Cr Campbell gave credit to his family for their support and long-term community service.
Cr Campbell and his wife Ana have 3 children, Caleb, Cooper, and Scarlett. Greg completed his schooling years at the Cloncurry State School, finishing his final year as School Captain. Mayor Campbell’s family runs a beef cattle operation in the area and is very passionate about promoting the strength and importance of the industry and the high quality of the product produced. Having a thorough knowledge of this industry places Mayor Campbell in a prime position to lobby for funding and grants to assist growing the agricultural industry.
Mayor Campbell has been heavily involved in the community for many years including being a Rotarian, a Merry Muster Committee member, and a regular volunteer of the Cloncurry races, Show and school events. Mayor Campbell founded the Cloncurry Fish Stocking Committee in 2005 successfully stocking Barra in Chinaman Creek Dam. He was also one of the Co-Founders of the Cloncurry Football Club in 2006/07, becoming the Inaugural Treasurer and Junior Coach. All the above committees are still as strong today as they were when they were first initiated. Receiving the Cloncurry Shire Citizen of the Year Award in 2009 was a very proud moment, and Cr Campbell gave credit to his family for their support and long-term community service.
Married to Linda with 4 grown up children, all born in Mount Isa.
Lee has worked at Bell and Moir Toyota for 40 years- the last 34 in senior management roles. Lee and Linda purchased the business in July 2008.
A big believer and supporter of the local community and economy, Lee received a Paul Harris Fellowship award for services/sponsorship of The Mount Isa Rodeo.
Married to Linda with 4 grown up children, all born in Mount Isa.
Lee has worked at Bell and Moir Toyota for 40 years- the last 34 in senior management roles. Lee and Linda purchased the business in July 2008.
A big believer and supporter of the local community and economy, Lee received a Paul Harris Fellowship award for services/sponsorship of The Mount Isa Rodeo.
Elected in April 2020, Danielle Slade is a previous Mayor of Mount Isa.
Danielle is on the MITEZ board, Mount Isa Irish Association Board and is the President of Concordia Football Club.
“I’ve always been passionate about Mount Isa and over the years I’ve been involved with sport and volunteered my time to different committees, organisations and charities. Growing up in Mount Isa was fantastic and I want my children to have that similar experience.
I’m extremely proud of the lifesaving work LifeFlight provides to the North West.”
Elected in April 2020, Danielle Slade is a previous Mayor of Mount Isa.
Danielle is on the MITEZ board, Mount Isa Irish Association Board and is the President of Concordia Football Club.
“I’ve always been passionate about Mount Isa and over the years I’ve been involved with sport and volunteered my time to different committees, organisations and charities. Growing up in Mount Isa was fantastic and I want my children to have that similar experience.
I’m extremely proud of the lifesaving work LifeFlight provides to the North West.”
We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Custodians of the land on which we serve and fly, and pay respect to their Elders past, present and future.
