Carmel was born in Innisfail and grew up in Feluga on her parents cane farm. She helped to manage the family’s cattle property and as her parents didn’t speak English, Carmel acted as their interpreter so was introduced to the world of business at a very young age. (She boasts her and her brother were the youngest children ever to write out a cheque!)

Carmel was educated locally and worked in Tully until she married local cane farmer Charlie Silvestro. She left the work force to raise her three children who are now adults.

Maria is a pastry chef/baker and is employed locally. Roslyn has a degree in Commerce and is a Certified Practising Accountant with Rio Tinto and lives in Brisbane with her engineer husband. Stephanie has a Diploma in Children’s Services and operates her own business in Tully.

Carmel re-entered the work force through Tupperware Australia where her drive and enthusiasm lead her to manage her own team and was ranked in the top ten sales executives in Australasia. After ten years in this busy world she decided to take an easier role and spend more time at home. She was given a job at a local newsagent where she worked for another ten years. As this was only a part time job she decided to challenge the position of Councillor for the Cardwell Shire Council (CSC) which she has held for three terms since 1997.

In 2001 she took on the challenging role of Practice Manager for a busy Medical Centre. Supervising and organising the day for three doctors, support medical teams and receptionists. Carmel knows too well how difficult it is to attract Medical Practitioner’s to our area.

Currently, Carmel is working part time in accounting and taxation at a local Public Accounting Firm as well as holding her position for Cardwell Shire. If elected she will resign her current role as she sees the role as Councillor with the incoming Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) as a full-time role.

She believes that with her knowledge in the rises and pitfalls of agriculture and small business, her experience in Local Government and her skills in accounting she is well suited to take on the position of Division Two Councillor for the CCRC.

Carmel is currently Chairperson of the Salvation Army Tully Red Shield Unit and Vice Chair of Tully Golden Gumboot Festival Committee. She is also a committee member of the Mission Beach Aquatic Festival, the Regional Arts Development Fund, the Cardwell Shire Beautification and Financial Review Advisory Committee. In addition, her roles with the Chief Executive Review Panel, the Flood Inundation Study and have helped with both the design of the Tully and Cardwell Libraries.

Since first elected to Council, Carmel has been on several committees to attain a performance centre/theatre/hall/multi purpose centre for the shire. The community’s wants and needs have changed from an extension of the current civic centre, including twin cinemas, to the current proposal of a Multi Purpose Centre at Tully State High School.

Due to affordability this project has never gone ahead. As it stands CSC is prepared to contribute $2.3 million towards a $5.5 million centre at the high school. Council has voted for design to be drawn up for the complex. Whilst Carmel would rather contribute to a council asset she believes we will never be able to afford a stand alone centre. If the MPC proceeds, it would be a joint project with Education Queensland. No contract will be let for this project until after the CCRC is formed. It will be a decision of the newly elected CCRC if the project goes ahead.

Carmel will seek the views of her electors on the project, including how much they are willing to pay for this facility, throughout her campaign. Once the design is ready there will be a presentation made to the public. She urges you to attend so you are fully informed and able to make an educated decision based on fact and not hearsay. If you would like to discuss the project, or just want to talk about issues you feel affect you as a ratepayer and resident of the CCRC.

Carmel can be contacted on 4068 1790, mobile 0400 729 457, or forward your comments to ccs16@hotmail.com.