Waratah-Wynyard Council is celebrating the remarkable contribution of Mayor Dr Mary Duniam, who has announced she will not be seeking re-election at the upcoming local government elections.
For more than 20 years, Dr Duniam has served the Waratah-Wynyard community with dedication, integrity and an unwavering commitment to strengthening local government. Since first being elected to Council in 2005, she has been a passionate advocate for community engagement, collaboration and inclusive leadership, serving as Deputy Mayor from 2014 before becoming Waratah-Wynyard’s first female Mayor in 2022.
During her time on Council, Dr Duniam has helped shape the future of the municipality while championing initiatives that build stronger, more connected communities. Her leadership has been defined by a genuine commitment to listening to the community, fostering partnerships and encouraging greater participation in local government.
Beyond the municipality, Dr Duniam has been a respected voice for local government across Tasmania and Australia. She has represented Waratah-Wynyard through numerous state and national leadership roles, including as President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Tasmania), a member of the Tasmanian Premier’s Local Government Council, the Local Government Association of Tasmania’s General Management Committee and the Cradle Coast Authority.
A passionate advocate for women in leadership, Dr Duniam has dedicated much of her career to encouraging and mentoring women to stand for local government, believing that diverse representation creates stronger communities and better decision-making.
Alongside her distinguished public service, Dr Duniam has made significant academic contributions. Her doctoral research at the University of Tasmania explored how partnerships between local government and social enterprises can build community capacity, and she has shared her expertise through university teaching, conference presentations and international guest lectures.
Her outstanding service has been recognised through numerous honours, including being awarded Life Membership of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) in 2025 in recognition of her exceptional contribution to local government. She was also inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2023 for her contributions to community, advocacy, inclusion, government and public service.
As Dr Duniam prepares to conclude her time on Council, she leaves behind a lasting legacy of leadership, service and advocacy. Her dedication to the Waratah-Wynyard community, commitment to strengthening local government and passion for creating opportunities for others have made a lasting impact that will be felt for many years to come.
Waratah-Wynyard Council extends its sincere gratitude to Mayor Dr Mary Duniam for her outstanding service and leadership over the past two decades and wishes her every success in the next chapter of her journey.