In the quiet Meander Valley Council chambers of Westbury, Mayor Wayne Johnston considers a political journey that began not with ambition, but with a call to serve. “I got asked to run for mayor,” he begins. “I’d never considered putting my hand up for council.” Having previously led the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association and served in the fire service for over 30 years, Johnston viewed the mayoralty as a continuation of his commitment to community service.
Johnston stepped into the role in October 2018, juggling his new civic responsibilities with the final months of his presidency in the farming organisation. With no prior experience as a councillor, his transition was unconventional. “I didn’t probably realise… the state legislation that councils have to follow,” he admits. “I had to do some learning.”
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His connection to the Meander Valley runs deep—generations of his family have lived and worked there, from farming to sawmilling. “Most of the houses in Meander, Jackey’s Marsh, Golden Valley, and into Deloraine, got built from timber from our sawmill,” he shares. “We had a really good reputation of cutting good timber.” The sawmill, operated by Johnston’s family, ran from 1967 until 2002.
Though he entered office without a fixed agenda, Johnston takes pride in the community projects accomplished under his tenure. A new hall in Bracknell stands out. “We completed and opened that hall last year,” he says, acknowledging it had exceeded budget but was delivered nonetheless. Squash courts in Deloraine, years in the making, also came to fruition – despite similar budget challenges.
Efforts to redevelop the flood-prone Deloraine Racecourse into a multifunctional sports and community hub are underway, bolstered by a recent $3.6 million pledge from the Labor Party. “We want to include the history of the race course,” Johnston says, “but we’re also putting a really nice children’s playground”.
Balancing the needs of Meander Valley’s diverse towns is a constant challenge. “They’re all passionate about their little patch,” he explains. “We just need to make sure that we’re spreading the love right across the municipality.” That balancing act includes everything from pothole repairs to managing the slow rollout of FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bins – hampered by further logistical and financial hurdles.
Johnston does not shy away from controversy. When the state government announced the Westbury prison site with little consultation, his initial support for the economic benefits provoked community backlash. “I did apologise to the community months later and say, look, I probably said the wrong thing,” he recalls.
The mayor is candid about the personal toll of public service. “You are the mayor 24 hours a day,” he says “I had a text from a gentleman another morning at half past four: ‘I need you to look at [my emails]’.” His wife often questions why he persists, and he acknowledges the wear of constant scrutiny and expectations.
Still, he praises the dedication of council staff, especially the outdoor crew. “We get complimented usually about the condition of our streets, our roads, our footpaths, and our toilets,” he says proudly. Their work, he believes, reflects a broader community ethic.
Looking ahead, Johnston anticipates further growth, particularly in towns like Westbury. “You’re gonna get more families coming in… cost of living’s coming out,” he notes. He recognises the strain this puts on infrastructure and community character, but sees careful planning as the way forward.
Asked whether he’d consider higher office, Johnston demurs. “I’ve considered other levels of politics… but the planets never aligned,” he says. With his sons now managing the farm, there’s more time for golf and perhaps, he muses, “a bit more caravaning.” A long-time advocate for Tasmanian agriculture and aged care, he remains active on several boards. “I’ve always spoken my mind,” he says, musing that this quality might not appear favourably to party politics even if it serves him well in the other organisations he works with.
When asked about his favourite part of Meander Valley, the answer is immediate: “I’ve gotta say Meander. I’ve been there all my life.” From Quamby Bluff to the Western Tiers, it’s the place he calls home—and the community he continues to serve.
