First-term councillor Peter Sheedy is a fourth generation Mackay resident and great nephew of Wentford Street’s namesake, Trooper Jack Wentford, who was a casualty in the first World War.
Cr Sheedy grew up at Marian and worked as a clerk at Racecourse Mill whilst embarking on external studies with UQ.
He was elected at the 2024 local government elections.
A qualified accountant, Cr Sheedy has spent much of his career working with canegrowers.
After a period of four years with Maryborough Sugar as Company Secretary and Financial Accountant, he was in Ingham from 1988 until 2018, where he represented up to 800 farmers and negotiated with CSR and later Wilmar on their behalf.
Cr Sheedy will bring a major focus on financial responsibility in his role on council.
He is co-chair of council’s Sustainability Strategic Advisory Committee and a proxy/observer on council’s Audit Committee.
Cr Sheedy is a member of West Mackay Rotary Club and attends monthly working bees to support transitional housing in a ruralarea off Seaforth Road. He is also a foundation member of Pioneer Valley Men’s Shed.
It is not the first time the Sheedy name has been part of local government in Mackay.One of his brothers Barry Sheedy served with the former Pioneer Shire Council and then the amalgamated Mackay City Council.