Councillor Jen Bray – Birch Ward (Deputy Mayor)

Councillor Jen Bray was elected Councillor in November 2020 and appointed Deputy Mayor in November 2021.

I moved to the Hepburn Shire because of the beauty of this landscape, its sense of history, and its engaged and creative communities. I am excited that this council could be a Lighthouse Shire – leading the way with innovative initiatives that will create a more sustainable, socially just, and enriching future for our community. Our council has a duty to protect the elements that make our shire unique – its natural environment, indigenous and historical cultural heritage, strong farming traditions, arts, sports, local businesses and its diverse social make-up.

My career as a theatre director, drama teacher and events manager spans twenty five years.  I was a department manager and lecturer at the Victorian College of the Arts and short course co-ordinator at the National Institute of Circus Arts. Since moving to the region 16 years ago I have continued to work in the performing arts with children, teens and adults, teaching drama and dance, presenting large scale theatre events at the Daylesford Town Hall and forming Daylesford Youth Theatre.

We have a passionate and vibrant community that are keen to be involved in decision-making about their local environment and activities. I am looking forward to developing a truly collaborative and purposeful working relationship between community and council to create our vision for the shire for the next 10 years.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Committee of Management for DELWP
• Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Committee
• Salvaging at Transfer Stations Local Law no. 2 Community Reference Group
• Planting on Nature Strips Local Law no. 2 Community Reference Group

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0428 150 652
Email: jbray@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Councillor Lesley Hewitt – Birch Ward

Councillor Lesley Hewitt was elected Councillor in November 2020.

Lesley is a social worker who has worked in sexual assault and child protection front line services and policy development. Before retirement she lectured at Monash University where her research interests included interpersonal violence, program evaluation and social inclusion.

Lesley is an avid bush walker and is currently one of the coaches at Daylesford RDA. Her aspirations as a Councillor are for a strong economic recovery post COVID, and active and engaged community that utilises the skills and knowledge of community members to obtain 21st century infrastructure to improve liveability across the Shire.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Municipal Association of Victoria
• Central Highlands Councils Victoria
• Loddon Campaspe Councils Victoria
• Committee of Management for DELWP
• Risk and Audit Committee
• Disability Advisory Committee
• Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Committee

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0408 793 941
Email: lhewitt@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Councillor Tessa Halliday – Cameron Ward

Councillor Tessa Halliday was elected Councillor in November 2020.

Tessa moved to Clunes 9 years ago. Since then she has been involved in many community groups. Her proudest achievement was starting the Open House Dinners which she ran for 18 months before handing over the reins to the Clunes Neighbourhood House, this initiative is still going and is such a positive event for the Clunes Community.

She is a member of Clunes & District Agricultural Society, Chillout Daylesford & Clunes Field & Game. Previous roles included Vice President of the Clunes Farmers Market, Founder, Treasurer & President of the Clunes Makers Market, Sponsorship Coordinator for Clunes & District Agricultural Society, Committee Member of the Clunes Landcare & Waterways Group as well as running other small wellbeing groups and events.

Tessa’s main focus is on communication, community consultation and transparency to ensure all her constituents feel informed and valued.

Tessa hates shopping except for Bunnings, loves growing things and has 59 animals on her 15 acre property in Clunes.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Public Art Advisory Committee
• Committee of Management for DELWP
• World Heritage Listing of the Victorian Goldfields Region Steering Committee (as an alternative)
• Disability Advisory Committee (as an alternative)

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0427 596 101
Email: thalliday@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Councillor Brian Hood – Coliban Ward

Councillor Brian Hood was elected Councillor in November 2020.

As Coliban ward councillor I will work hard for the entire, diverse community and represent their interests. I would like to see the completion of important infrastructure projects such as the Trentham Community Centre and Sportsground upgrade with solutions that serve the community’s long-term needs. Above all I want to make a contribution towards making our shire an even better place to live and work.

Brian’s sporting interests are AFL (Western Bulldogs), EPL (Liverpool) and athletics. He played football as a teenager then took on umpiring where he reached AFL level. He was secretary of the AFL Umpires Association for seven years and is a life member of that organisation.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Committee of Management for DELWP
• Audit and Risk Committee
• Municipal Emergency Management

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0427 797 151
Email: bhood@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Councillor Don Henderson – Creswick Ward

Councillor Don Henderson was elected Councillor in November 2020 and has served continuously since 2008.

Born and raised on the Creswick goldfields of early settlers. His time spent in the bush growing up has given a great appreciation of flora and fauna and a determination to preserve both nature and heritage both built and natural. Don’s career includes:

• Founding Director and technical advisor Tripstop group of companies
• Former Director of Year of the Homeless Building Trust
• Founding board member of Victorian Building Industry Redundancy Scheme
• Secretary and national research officer of Building Workers Industrial Union
• Member of inaugural steering committee National Women in Construction
• Advisor Victorian Building Industry Training Board
• Former President Ballarat Trades and Labour Council
• Advisor to Australian Workers Union
• Self-employed as a safety and industrial relations consultant
• Self-employed construction contractor

Don is passionate about community and particularly working with young people and empowering people to achieve their life goals and is a self-funded retiree who believes the harder you work the luckier you get. A life highlight was meeting and chatting with Nelson Mandela.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Committee of Management for DELWP
• World Heritage Listing of the Victorian Goldfields Region Steering Committee
• 2021 Heather Mutimer International Women’s Day Honour Roll Interim Selection Panel
• Collection of Firewood Local Law no. 2 Community Reference Group

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0427 559 684
Email: dhenderson@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Councillor Tim Drylie – Creswick Ward (Mayor)

Councillor Tim Drylie was elected Councillor in November 2020. He was voted Mayor in November 2021.

Tim grew up in the seaside city of Warrnambool in Western Victoria.  He moved to Melbourne when he was 17 on a music scholarship to University High School. After qualifying for a BA in Drama at Latrobe University he worked for several years with ABC TV in Melbourne as an Assistant Director and Floor Manager. Tim tutored at the University of Melbourne while studying for a PostGradDip and MA in Cinema Studies and opened a vintage furniture store in Montmorency.

He has three teenage children, lives in Creswick and runs a second-hand business with his partner, Holly. He also coordinates the Creswick Market and Hepburn Z-NET Home Energy Assessments. Tim is involved in his local community through Transition Creswick sustainability group, Creswick Theatre Company and the Z-NET roundtable committee. He can sometimes be found singing as the lead vocalist with the Creswick Brass Band.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Committee of Management for DELWP
• Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group Forum
• Public Art Advisory Committee (as an alternative)

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0427 503 258
Email: tdrylie@hepburn.vic.gov.au

Councillor Juliet Simpson – Holcombe Ward

Councillor Juliet Simpson was elected Councillor in November 2020.  

Juliet is a passionate gardener and is regenerating part of her farm with the native flora.

As an elected representative she is committed to representing the Holcombe Ward and the whole Shire at a Council level to the best of her ability.

Juliet’s prior work career included time at the Hyatt on Collins as a Regency Club Concierge, the ANZ bank as a customer service officer and Nowranie Pastoral Company as a Director. She now runs a beef farming business in the Hepburn Shire, more specifically the Holcombe Ward.

Juliet is a member of the Daylesford Historical Society, the Daylesford Horticultural Society and the Glenlyon and Upper Loddon Landcare.

Committees, Boards and External Bodies:

• Committee of Management for DELWP
• 2021 Heather Mutimer International Women’s Day Honour Roll Interim Selection Panel
• Mineral Springs Reserves Advisory Committee

Contact Details

Hepburn Shire Council
P O Box 21
Daylesford  VIC  3460

Phone: 5321 6423
Mobile: 0427 855 603
Email: jsimpson@hepburn.vic.gov.au