Spotlight on Julie Talty: Councillor and Candidate for Division 6, Mount Cotton

I grew up in the Redlands, spending my teenage years at pony club, skating at Rollercade and what is now YMCA at Victoria Point and travelling to Wynnum on the bus for many hours to go to school at Moreton Bay College.

My husband John and I were married in 1986.  We had a huge wedding reception in what was then the new performing arts hall in Cleveland, now known as RPAC.  And as it was the 1980s, this of course also included huge hair, puffy sleeves and matching bridesmaids and groomsmen! We are approaching our 30^th wedding anniversary.

My family have deep roots in the Redlands; I am a fifth generation Redlander.   My Dad was a Redland Shire Councillor for 18 years.

I am a teacher by profession and, as I love history, it seemed natural that I would become a history teacher.


It was also a natural profession for me, it seems, as I love kids, or more precisely the promise of kids, helping them to explore all that they might do and become through learning.  

My Great Grandparents on both sides were farmers in the late 18th century in Redland Bay and Mt Cotton and later at Cleveland.

We have two fabulous kids, who are now 21 and 18. We have lived in Mt Cotton for about 25 years.

My 2x Great Grandmother Sophia Routledge as she greets her grandson George 

at the family farm at Redland Bay with the bread delivery from the bakery at Cleveland. 

The Routledge farm was on land that now includes Sandy Cove, Redland Bay.

My Great Gran, Susan Pooley ran the railway shop and post office at Wellington Point.  I loved playing in the long closed old shop when I was little.

Her son, who was my Pop, John Pooley was in business in Cleveland, ‘Pooley and Crane’ it was called, and later he ran the Cleveland Post Office.

My Grandad on the other side and his brothers had a farm supply and hardware, ‘Burns Brothers’ in old Cleveland opposite the first railway line in Shore Street. 

Of course the War affected every family in the Redlands, mine included.
The eldest brothers of the Burns family left for World War I, all were injured and eldest brother George is remembered on the cenotaph at Cleveland, he along with so many others was lost to the Somme in 1917.

And then again, in World War II everyone was called for service.  My Pop went to New Guinea, where he was injured and returned. My Nan was a war widow.

But in between all of this, they lived full and fruitful lives here in the Redlands, and they saw a lot of change. They built strong communities and where connected; they also had a lot fun!


My great grandparents, Bill and Caroline Burns around 1886 in the orchard at the family farm in Mt Cotton.

Known as Burn’s flat it was on land that is now part of Sirromet. 

They would raise 7 children, the oldest George lost at the battle of the Somme 1917.

 
Growing up, my earliest memories include going with my Aunt, cousins and the big kids down past the old railway tacks to swim in the ‘nudie pools’ in Cleveland. I thought that was a magical place.  It is long gone now, but it is clear in my mind. 
When I left school, I had no clue what I wanted to do.

I was guided into a trade. ‘You’ll always be ok if you have a trade’ as they say, so I became a hairdresser.  

I couldn’t be more pleased that now, when my daughter now considers that she might want to do a trade, she is talking about electrical, plumbing or carpentry. Girls are no longer restricted but there is still work to do in breaking down those barriers.
 I completed my trade and progressed through various positions in that industry, until I found myself training others. That was the first indication that I was good at teaching.

I also travelled, spending time backpacking through the UK, Europe and North Africa during my twenties with my husband John.

When we settled back home in Redlands and our daughter, Claudia, was born, I returned to study and over the next decade I gained another child, two Bachelors degrees and a post graduate degree, while also being a working parent.

(My son is now a second year Bachelor of Science student, while my daughter is a success in her own right and will be off backpacking across the world; I couldn’t be more proud of the people they are).

As a result, I do understand how tough it is for young families to make ends meet and for young parents to support their family’s needs while also having dreams of their own.

Building caring supportive communities makes a big difference.

Now of course, my children have grown up in Mt Cotton, they have never lived anywhere else.  

I feel very connected here and care deeply about the future of Redland and our families.  

I have served this community as local teacher, and now as local Councillor sinec 2012. I have spent many years on committees for P&C, sporting clubs and being involved with council. 

Being able to be a small part of so many of those endeavours is one of the best parts of being a councillor.

I really enjoy being a Councillor and representing my Division.  Although I work very long hours, I believe that the work matters, so it doesn't seem a chore.

I have always believed if you find you are doing something you don’t enjoy, change it. I do try to keep some balance

I have a close family and I keep horses. I have a dear mare who is aging a bit now and she has a son. He is a strong beautiful young horse and I look forward to training him up to his full potential.

Me with my horse, Rory the Roman.

I am looking forward to entering a second term in council. If I am given the opportunity to represent the people of Division 6 again, I will be working hard again to implement the many great projects that have been started.

I have worked hard to ensure our community is resourced. There is still a lot of catching up to do, but we are on the right track.

I hope that on March 19, the community will recognise this and vote accordingly.