Mekayla Cochrane

Independent candidate - Moree Plains Shire Council

I am a proud young Gomeroi woman from Moree. I spent my childhood in South Moree with my mum, dad and 5 siblings. I attended Moree East Public School, St Hilda’s Boarding School and finished up my remaining years at Moree Secondary College. During high school I had my first job at Cafe Gali and started volunteering in the community at Fairview Nursing Home. Since then I have lived in Uluru/Ayers Rock, had a son and returned home in 2018 to start giving back to my community.

My son Elliot and mum Michelle, are two of many people, inspiring me to run for Council. They have helped me make my connection to the Moree Plains community; from having family in Mungindi and connections to Boggabilla, to realising the resources available (and not available) in Moree, to encourage growth development in raising a child.

From 2019 - 2020, I worked for Moree Plains Shire Council and experienced many different areas of Council. During this time I gained a good understanding of how Council and Councillors service the Moree and surrounding communities, along with all the hard work being done behind the scenes.

Since returning to Moree I have busied myself volunteering for my community - and recently won a Reconciliation Week award for my services to community and young people in Moree.

I now work with Just Reinvest NSW who are giving the Aboriginal community a platform to create community-led change and lower interactions with the criminal justice system. Becoming a Councillor, I would be able to use my skill set to lead positive change to a much wider range of people, who are just as determined as I am.

I come to Council on a platform of social justice and making change. Moree Council needs to pay attention to the strength of the Moree Aboriginal community, and make sure the town's facilities are accessible to all. The town desperately needs to provide better support for young people - not just the local and regional businesses. Agribusiness is big business in Moree - and our rivers are being polluted.

Moree needs fresh voices and new leaders - and I want to be one of them.