He was approached to run by members of the community, who wanted experienced councillors to see them through the amalgamation process.

First elected to Yarrowluma Shire Council in 1987, Mr Marjason saw it through the amalgamation with Tallaganda in 2004. After a five year break from council, he was happy to commit to knuckle down for the relatively short three year term.

“I’ve been through an amalgamation before, I know how hard they are to get to work,” Mr Marjason said.

“It’s important that there’s experienced councillors there who know how local government works and know how to get things done.”

Having lived in Bungendore for 35 years and worked in Queanbeyan for 30, Mr Marjason knows exactly what goes on in the region.

Ultimately, he wants to see people free to build their lives and their businesses enabled, rather than burdened, by their local council.

“The vision is to have a very strong council financially, a vibrant council with many businesses being encouraged to come here and start up,” Mr Marjason said.

“I want to see the main streets, particularly of Queanbeyan and Bungendore made more vibrant.”

Among the things he wants to see are a cinema in Queanbeyan, so residents can keep their leisure spends local, an ambulance station in Bungendore and better sporting facilities throughout the region. He would also like council to push the Government for a high school in Bungedore.

And while he’s got the experience of 35 years as a councillor under his belt, some things haven’t changed for Mr Marjason.

“My vision of council hasn’t changed since I was first elected in 1987, and that is, to make it easy for people to realise their dreams when they move into this area,” Mr Marjason said.

“I want to make it easy for people to come here and to build houses here and to develop their lives here.”