Our Councillors

Cr Samantha O'Toole

MAYOR

Mobile: 0428 887 100
Email: samantha.o'toole@balonne.qld.gov.au

In 2016, Cr O’Toole was elected as a Councillor at Balonne Shire Council and was elected Mayor in 2020 and 2024. Cr O’Toole has been instrumental in delivering ground-breaking and life changing projects across the Shire for over almost two decades, involving partners from Federal, State and Local government levels. She’s passionate about rural communities and has a goal to make Balonne Shire more liveable, while providing and pursuing opportunities to ensure future generations have a positive future in the bush.

Councillor Bill Winks

Deputy Mayor

Mobile: 0407 256 160
Email: bill.winks@balonne.qld.gov.au

Councillor Winks is currently the Deputy Mayor and was first elected to Council in 2016. Cr Winks has lived in the Shire his entire life and raised his family in Bollon, making them the fourth generation. Cr Winks has participated in a wide range of sporting events and community groups in the area and is a strong advocate for understanding the needs of all residents in the Shire.

Councillor Robyn Fuhrmeister

Deputy Chair of our Local Disaster Management Group

Mobile: 0417 193 504
Email: robyn.fuhrmeister@balonne.qld.gov.au

Cr Fuhrmeister has served as an elected Councillor for Balonne Shire Council since her first term in 1991. She brings with her a wealth of experience in Local Government and in-depth knowledge of the region. Cr Fuhrmeister is a proud local, this shire is where she proudly chooses to live. Away from work with CareBalonne, Cr Fuhrmeister’s passion is to spend time with her family and enjoys her profession as a Qualified Celebrant.

Councillor Michaela Christensen

Mobile: 0487 944 327
Email: michaela.christensen@balonne.qld.gov.au

Councillor Christensen is currently serving her first term in the Shire, having been living here for around 25 years and raising her family here. She has played an active role in various community groups and the agricultural industry and completely understands the adversities of flooding and isolation that sometimes comes with life in the Shire. She is a firm believer in the principles of transparency, integrity and honesty and will be working to promote those ideals to ensure that all voices in the Shire are heard, especially those of the small communities. 

Councillor Jason Southern

Mobile: 0438 250 069
Email: jason.southern@balonne.qld.gov.au

Councillor Southern is currently in his first term of Council. After spending his whole life in the Shire, he understands the unique challenges that local residents are all experiencing in rural Queensland. Cr Southern has a strong connection with the agricultural industry having owned and operated his own contract farming business for the past 15 years and is keen to bring a fresh and dynamic voice to Council that prioritises the needs of our community towards creating a brighter future for the Balonne Shire.

Councillor Andrew Dries

Mobile: 0428 253 187
Email: andrew.dries@balonne.qld.gov.au

Councillor Dries has lived in the Shire for most of his life and has a strong connection to the business sector and local agricultural industry in the area. As a first-term Councillor he brings a fresh view to Council and is committed to working with the community, local business and agricultural sectors help support jobs and general livability in the Shire.