Councillor Anne-Marie Loader didn’t expect to become a voice for the Meander Valley community. In fact, her journey to the council chambers began almost by accident, with a nudge from friends who insisted she stand for council. “It started off with a little bit of, ‘Oh yes, I’ll stand for council,’” Loader recalls. “And then when the date came around, it was, ‘Are you going to do it?’ And so I said, yes.” Her decision was driven by a growing frustration with the status quo and a realisation that sometimes, “you have to be the someone” to step up and make a change.
Loader’s entry into politics was unexpected, but her determination was not. Once elected, she took on the role with the same vigour she applies to everything in her life. “I think if you’re going to do something, you do it with your 100%, you do it with your all, or don’t do it,” she asserts. This commitment is evident in her active participation in council matters, where she’s become known for her thoughtful approach to community concerns, particularly around environmental sustainability and urban development.
Her concerns about the rapid pace of development in Meander Valley are rooted in a deep-seated worry about the long-term impact on the environment. “We definitely need more houses,” Loader concedes, but she questions the trend towards “little matchbox-style dwellings all over the place, crammed together with lots and lots of concrete.” For Loader, the issue isn’t just about housing; it’s about preserving the natural habitat and ensuring that the development decisions made today don’t lead to environmental degradation tomorrow.
Before becoming a councillor, Loader was already deeply involved in her community. She’s lived in the Meander Valley for nearly two decades, moving to Westbury seven years ago. A librarian by profession, she coordinates the adult literacy service for Libraries Tasmania in the Meander Valley and Longford. Her passion for literacy is palpable. “I’m passionate about running. I’m really passionate about adult literacy, and I’m really passionate about looking after community. Particularly people who don’t have a voice. They’re my three things that make me get excited,” she shares.
Loader’s commitment to literacy goes beyond her job description. She speaks with enthusiasm about the transformative power of literacy, recounting a recent experience with a client. “We had a session this week and the lights went on,” she says, describing the moment when everything clicked for her client. “It’s fantastic” anyone can get help for “reading, writing, or numbers” if they need it from Libraries Tasmania.
As a councillor, Loader has found herself increasingly focused on issues of accessibility and community infrastructure, particularly footpaths. “The big thing that people contact me the most about, which I was totally unprepared for, but happy to be contacted, is footpaths. Everybody wants a footpath and I don’t blame them,” she says. Initially, Loader hadn’t given much thought to footpaths, but after hearing from constituents, she realised their importance. “We need the footpaths. We need it so people can walk and ride their bikes safely around our municipality.”
Loader’s passion for the Meander Valley community extends to its natural beauty, particularly the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. “My favourite part of our municipality would have to be the Walls of Jerusalem National Park. I love it,” she says. The park holds a special place in her heart, not just as a stunning natural landscape, but as a training ground for the ultra-marathons she and her husband, Paul, are dedicated to.
Despite her busy schedule, Loader continues to pursue her passion for running, a sport she took up relatively late in life. What started as a reluctant effort to join her husband in his training runs has turned into a significant part of her life. She’s now completed 18 marathons and seven ultra-marathons. Loader describes the sense of accomplishment she felt after completing a 72-kilometer ultra-marathon in New Zealand, a place she loves for its lack of dangerous wildlife. “I’ve never been so elated in all my life. It took me 12 hours and 40 minutes, but I made it,” she recalls.
For Loader, the satisfaction of seeing tangible results, whether in her running or her work on the council, is what drives her. But she remains grounded, viewing her role as a councillor as a privilege and a responsibility. “I find that humbling, to be really honest. I find that it’s just a complete privilege to be able to be in a position where you can make something happen for someone,” she reflects.
As she looks to the future, Loader hopes to see greater diversity on the Meander Valley Council, particularly in terms of gender and cultural representation. She believes that a more inclusive council would better reflect the community it serves. But as for higher political ambitions? Loader is clear: “Absolutely not.” Her focus remains firmly on the Meander Valley, where she continues to work tirelessly to make a difference.
