Group F – Karen Hutchinson Group

A combination of experience, leadership and MidCoast synergy is the driving force behind MidCoast Council’s purely independent team, the Karen Hutchinson Group (Group F). 

The group represents a broad spectrum of the MidCoast region, who are passionate about representing all MidCoast locals at a local government level.

The team is led by experience with Karen Hutchinson and Tony Summers at the helm boasting over 16 years of Local Government expertise between them.   

Head candidate, Karen Hutchinson is a local egg farmer supplying free-to-range eggs to MidCoast and Newcastle based retailers under the Stroud Valley Harvest brand name.  A qualified chef, Karen resides on a 1,000 acre property in Booral with three generations of her family.  Karen’s crafty side sees her also operate a retail patchwork and haberdashery shop in Stroud along with handcrafted artisan jams and preserves. 

A strong member of the community for 20+ years Karen has been actively involved in many community groups including deputy chair of the Port Stephens Great Lakes Marine Park, Hunter and Central Coast Joint Regional Planning Panel, AGL CCC, GRL CCC, Duralie CCC, and currently is the proud patron of the Stroud Men’s Shed and president of the Stroud Brick Throwing Committee.  

“I am eager to see the MidCoast region grow and move forward with a new Council.  And, as a member of the Australian Institute of Tourism Officers, boosting tourism and promoting our wide and varied community is paramount to the economic development of our region.

This advertising feature is sponsored by The Karen Hutchinson Group.

“As a local business owner, I also understand the problems many MidCoast businesses endure and as we hope to represent the local community, we must endeavour to alleviate some of the hurdles and red tape that face prospective businesses and tourism opportunities.   

“Community Grants become available on a regular basis, unfortunately sometimes the paper work is enormous and community groups are simply time-poor with limited volunteers, we need to work closely with these groups to access grant money for their communities.” explains Hutchinson.

A Forster resident for over 45 years, Tony Summers has been self-employed for the majority of that time in businesses which include building and construction, kitchen manufacturing, as well as owning and operating indoor cricket centres at Taree, Maitland and Forster.

From 2006 to 2012, he was the property and legal manager at MidCoast Water.  For nearly five decades, he has developed a strong relationship with the community and has served on a number of committees holding positions such as president of Cape Hawke SLSC, director of administration Cape Hawke SLSC, director of administration Surf Life Saving LNC Branch, director of finance Surf Life Saving LNC Branch, director of finance Forster Neighbourhood Centre, chairman of the board at Great Lakes FM Radio and president of Forster Tuncurry Golf Club.   

He is a proud Life Member of Cape Hawke SLSC and Surf Life Saving LNC. Played rugby league for the Hawks representing Group 3 back in 1974 and 1976, as well as playing cricket for Forster representing the Manning River District Cricket Association First XI.  

“I have a strong desire to ensure the delivery of community services along with developing projects for major infrastructure to provide an economically sustainable future for generations to come” says Tony.

The remaining candidates also bring a wealth of local knowledge to the group with Monique Cahill – who is all about giving back to the community and this is demonstrated in her devotion to her charity work including TasteFest committee, Valley Industries AutoFest, Daffodil Day and Old Bar Kombi Fest. 

Monique has lived in Taree since 1977 and currently manages, Valley Industries Coffee Shop. As a dedicated car enthusiast, she is eager to attract a series of auto events to the riverbanks of Taree. 

While Ian McClennan has been a local Forster resident since 2003 with 40+ years working as an Engineer in local Councils across NSW.  

A lifetime of calling Booral home and spending every opportunity on her family’s property over the past 45 years provides Christine Stani with a deep connection with the area. 

Chloe Dalrymple-Hutchinson was raised in Booral on the family farm where she still resides 20 years later. 

She attended Hunter Valley and Newcastle Grammar and now is studying a double degree in Agriculture Business.