Gareth Ward
Gareth James Ward (born c. 1981) was elected to the Shoalhaven City Council on March 27, 2004 as an independent to represent the electorate of First Ward which takes in the northern parts of Shoalhaven City. [1]
Student Politics
Cr Ward spent five years (2001-2006) serving on the Council of the Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association (WUSA), the union for students at the University of Wollongong. He was elected in his first year of studies, as a virtual unknown, and has served as Honorary Secretary, Disabilities Representative and General Representative on the WUSA Council. Gareth was also the youngest president of the University of Wollongong Liberal Club, and involved with the Australian Liberal Students Federation.
Council career
Ward was elected as an Independent at the age of 22 despite being a member of the Liberal Party of Australia. (1). Since his election, Ward has raised concerns about having larger houses on smaller subdivisions. (2) He has also taken a stance against a NSW State Government tax on recreational divers (3) and lack of parking in the Nowra CBD. (4) He has tried to bring motions condemning the State (Labor) Government and has introduced as Council business, Liberal Party policy.
Dispute with fellow Councillor
He is best known for having a bowl of tomato sauce thrown over him in a meeting in the Mayor's chambers by Councillor John Wilmott. The two councillors had previously exchanged e-mails over new proposed building height codes in Ulladulla. [2] with Willmott calling Ward a "little twerp". Ward responded by criticising Wilmott's spelling at the meeting. This exchange ended with Wilmott throwing a bowl of sauce over Ward. (5) Mayor Greg Watson, the Deputy Mayor, four other councillors were present at the meeting as well as the General Manager but no-one would ever admit to seeing the incident. (6) Ward was cleaned up by Council staff. However, he later appeared for media photographs with tomato sauce smeared on him. Either he smeared himself with sauce, or the press did, or the sauce came back by itself. The press deny it. Ward subsequently called for Wilmott to resign or undertake anger management courses. Willmott did neither, laughing off the suggestion. The matter was reported to the Council Conduct Committee which recommended no action against Willmott. Ward achieved more passing fame when he demanded the removal of lifeguards at Milton sea pool. Milton is a few miles inland and has no sea pool. His reference to it is as unexplained as his appearance in the photograph with tomato sauce on him after he had been cleaned. He is taken seriously by the local radio station who promote him heavily. [3] Both Ward and Willmott are members of the Liberal Party. (7)
References
(1) Sydney Morning Herald, "Mystery of the up-ended bowl" 18 April 2006 page 18
(2) ABC Regional News, "Councillor calls for community input into housing" January 4, 2006
(3) ABC Regional News "Council to let Govt know of dive tax concerns" 1 December 2005
(4) ABC Regional News "Nowra looks to address CBD parking problem" 27 October 2005
(5) Daily Telegraph "Shirt-squirting shame - Tomato sauce mars mayor's meeting" 12 April 2006 page 24
(6) Daily Telegraph Op. Cit.
(7) Daily Telegraph Second edition "Tomato sauce outrage - Feuding councillors in party pie food fight" 12 October 2006
Online References
Sydney Morning Herald "Mystery of the up-ended bowl" 18 April 2006 accessed 22 April 2006]