The election race for Carnarvon: Meet the contenders vying for a spot on the council of Gascoyne’s main town

Standfirst: As the October 18 local government elections near, the Midwest Times will throw the spotlight on the region’s council races over the next few weeks. While some local councils had candidates elected unopposed or will not hold an ordinary election due to insufficient interest, there are still many intriguing battles to play out.

Carnarvon’s council has five seats up for grabs, with three vacancies in the Town ward, one in the Plantation ward and one in the Coral Bay ward.

There was only one candidate for the Coral Bay ward — small business owner Mark Young.

Existing councillors Dudley Maslen, Luke Skender and Marco Ferreirinha are recontesting, while familiar face throwing her hat in the ring is former State MP and Carnarvon publican Merome Beard, as well as industry stakeholders and local volunteers.

TOWN WARD

Saxon Boston

Horticultural manager Saxon Boston is eyeing a seat on council, saying he has an acute sense of the “industry drivers” and “challenges” facing the community.

The 53-year-old has lived in Carnarvon most of his adult life, since moving to the Gascoyne town as a teen.

“I have a good understanding of the industry drivers and challenges and wins for the community and also the workings of the council, having been a councillor when I was elected back in 1998,” he said.

“The shire has many opportunities and they come with challenges.”

Mr Boston is pitching himself as a candidate “without any particular grievance” whose focus would be to maintain good governance.

“If elected, (I) look forward to working with a like-minded team,” he said.

Dudley Maslen

When it comes to commitment and service to the community, Dudley Maslen stands by his record.

He is an existing councillor with a long local government history, a former shire president and State MP in the 1980s and current chair of the Carnarvon Heritage Group — which has been a leading force behind the revitalisation of the One Mile Jetty precinct.

Hailing from a family that has six generations that have called Carnarvon and the Gascoyne home, Cr Maslen wants another stint on the council to “use his government experience to assist the town to move forward”.

“Carnarvon is situated on the road to almost everywhere in the north and located between two heritage areas. There are unlimited opportunities to develop our town, including in tourism, horticulture and mining,” he said.

Cr Maslen vowed to advocate for the State Government to fulfil its obligations to address the issue of at-risk children “which is the cause of our social problem”. “I want our optimistic and buoyant town back,” he said.

Luke Skender

Current councillor Luke Skender says his “care and passion” for the community has prompted him to renominate in a bid to extend his 10-year stint on the council.

Born and bred in Carnarvon, Cr Skender is a third-generation grower-business owner and volunteer of 14 years, and is keen to keep championing the people who live, work and raise their families in Carnarvon and the services, facilities and opportunities they deserved.

“Critically, council must intensively liaise with the State with the aim of investing into heritage, supporting businesses and tourism, supporting families and addressing social issues,” he said.

Cr Skender said he had worked hard to “keep property rates as low as possible while ensuring expenditure is responsible and focused on delivering real value to the community”, which requires “robust discussion and debate within council”.

He wants to help build and be part of a community “where every generation can thrive and be proud to call Carnarvon home”.

Kylie Coniglio

As an intensive family support officer, mother and foster mother as well as bushfire and ambulance volunteer, Kylie Coniglio has a frontline perspective on some of her community’s biggest challenges.

As a mother of four who also fosters three children, Ms Coniglio also finds the time to volunteer for St John WA and the Gascoyne River Bushfire Brigade.

“Volunteering allows me to give back to my community, stay connected to community and help our community in time of need,” she said.

She is now aiming to extend her community service to a role on council. “Carnarvon is home, we are all active members of the community, so being active and positive in our community is what we strive for,” she said.

In her work, Ms Coniglio helps mostly women and children experiencing family and domestic violence, guiding them through some of their darkest times.

“Family and children are my passion. I help build capacity to families, navigate them to where they feel empowered and strong again, make them feel like they are not alone, walk beside them and not judge them,” she said.

Merome Beard

As a former State MP and fourth-generation local, Merome Beard is keen to keep representing and championing her community, this time on the council.

As the publican of Carnarvon’s Port Hotel and former MP, Ms Beard said she had a “strong track record of leadership, service and business acumen” and understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with living and doing business in regional WA.

The Nationals turned Liberal politician served as North West MLA for 2½ years before losing the newly created electorate of Mid-West to Nationals WA leader Shane Love at the March 2025 State election.

She listed her priorities as strengthening local infrastructure, supporting and growing diverse industries, small businesses and tourism and improving essential services and the region’s liveability.

“Transparency, accountability, advocacy, strong financial management and a strategic common-sense approach are all important aspects to ensuring our region grows, is vibrant and strong,” she said.

PLANTATION WARD

Paul Shain

With his experience as a second-generation horticulturalist on the Gascoyne River, Paul Shain believes he can bring value to local government.

He wants to be a conduit between locals and their local government. His is currently chair of the Gascoyne Water Co-op and WA Vegetable Growers Association, and previously served as chair of the Carnarvon Growers Association for 11 years.

“I also have previous experience on other regional boards including the Gascoyne Development Commission,” he said.

“I believe with my involvement, experience and connections, past and present, I can bring the best value to the Shire of Carnarvon.”

Marco Ferreirinha

Marco Ferreirinha is keen to extend his stint on the council into a second term, having already served his local electors for four years.

“Our growers and their families are at the heart of Carnarvon and I am committed to supporting the industries that keep our town strong,” he said.

“From agriculture to local business, I will continue to advocate for sustainable growth, fair opportunities and services that strengthen our community.”

Cr Ferreirinha asked for the community’s support and promised to keep working hard to represent local voices and deliver positive outcomes.

“The Plantation ward is more than farmland; it is home, heritage and the future for generations to come,” he said.

Voting packs are posted to all electors on the shire’s electoral roll and need to be returned via post or dropped into the shire administration office before 6pm on Saturday, October 18.