Introducing Your Councillors

Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse	Deputy Mayor Cr Wayne Tighe	Councillor Kerry Cassells
Councillor Dominique Hodgkinson	Councillor Kelly James	Councillor Peter Mailler
Councillor Fred McGrady	Councillor Brooke Sauer	Councillor Debra Williams

Mayor, Cr Susannah Pearse

Cr Pearse has a strong belief in the Moree Plains, its people and its potential, which led to her putting her hand up for council, serving as Deputy Mayor in the 2021-2024 term and now taking up the helm as Mayor. With professional experience spanning the corporate sector and state and local government, Cr Pearse is keen to see Moree Plains Shire Council combine the best of both worlds - driving performance and efficiencies whilst maintaining a focus on real benefits for the community. 

Cr Pearse has lived both in the Moree township and on farm near Pallamallawa, where she currently runs a 6^th generation farming business with her husband and their three children. She is currently completing a Master of Business Administration through UNSW. 

Committees sitting on:

Country Mayors Association of NSW, Border Region of Councils, New England Joint Organisation of Councils, Tourism Moree Inc., Road Network Advisory Committee

Councillor Kerry Cassells 

With over five decades of experience in nursing and a lifelong commitment to healthcare and community wellbeing, Cr Cassells began her career as an enrolled nurse at Moree Hospital in 1973, later completing general nursing and midwifery training at Auburn District Hospital by 1981. Upon returning to Moree, she worked across all departments at Moree District Hospital for 12 years, followed by positions at Toomelah Aboriginal Medical Centre and Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service. From 1998 to 2021, Cr Cassells served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist with Justice Health, providing care to individuals in the correctional system at Moree Police Cells.

In addition to her professional contributions, Cr Cassells has dedicated over 30 years to volunteering in rugby union, rugby league, and Little Athletics. She has also been actively involved in the performing arts through local theatre groups for nearly two decades. Her interests span health, education, the arts, and youth justice, with a particular focus on addressing youth homelessness and the broader impacts of crime on young people and their families. Cr Cassells firmly believes that access to education, sport and supportive services is essential to building resilient, well-rounded individuals and strengthening community cohesion.

Committees sitting on: 

Big Sky Libraries, Built Environment Advisory Committee, Road Network Advisory Committee

Councillor Dominique Hodgkinson

Born and raised in the Moree Plains, Cr Hodgkinson is proud to call the Moree Plains Shire her home.  Cr Hodgkinson has worked in the Real Estate industry for more than 20 years, opening her own local Real Estate Agency in 2016 where she prides herself in going the extra mile for her clients and customers alike.  Cr Hodgkinson was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021 and since then has openly shared her endometriosis journey with others in the hope to raise awareness and to show others that it's ok to not be ok every day, and that even when life throws something tough your way, you can still achieve great things.  In her spare time, Cr Hodgkinson enjoys spending time with her partner and their fur babies, watching a good movie or reading a good book.

Committees sitting on: 

Built Environment Advisory Committee, Road Network Advisory Committee

Councillor Fred McGrady

Cr McGrady, a proud Gomeroi Nation descendant, was born, raised and educated in the Toomelah Aboriginal Mission community. Since moving to Moree in 1967, he has built a distinguished career in both private and public sectors. Starting as a qualified fitter-welder, he held various roles in State and Commonwealth Government agencies and completed a Business Administration course at Western Sydney TAFE.

Transitioning as an Aboriginal Caseworker with NSW Youth and Community Services, he advanced to Senior Employment Officer, and later served as an Aboriginal Employment and Training Officer with the Commonwealth Employment Service. Cr McGrady also joined the NSW Probation and Parole Service, managing parolees and preparing pre-sentencing reports before overseeing the NSW Aboriginal Home Care Aged and Disability Services and the Bundjulung Aboriginal Aged and Disability Service in Ballina. Today, he serves as a school bus driver in Moree, continuing his long-standing community contributions.

Committees sitting on: 

Road Traffic Committee, Moree Flood Plain Risk Management Committee, Road Network Advisory Committee