Nick Packham

Bio

Nick Packham has lived in Bathurst his entire life. Early on, he became a familiar face at the local aquatic centre where he dedicated six years of service while completing his secondary and tertiary studies at local institutions. Today, Packham is the CEO of Vivability Limited, a disability and support organisation in Bathurst. He has worked in the disability sector for 34 years and is committed to extending a helping hand to those in need.  

Packham and his ticket are “Ready For Business” and focused on creating greater employment and investment opportunities within the region.

“If elected I will deliver on the infrastructure improvements that Bathurst needs to grow, to promote prosperity and good services for our community. I will bring experience, commitment and skill to Bathurst Regional Council,” said Packham.  

Packham’s ticket comprises Sharon Sewell, Kevin Walker, Tina Mitchell and Kieran O’Dwyer. Each member brings a unique strength and passion to the team. Sharon Sewell is a born and raised Bathurst woman. She is the current Vice President of the United Services Union and is a Director of Unity (Reliance) Bank. Kevin Walker is a passionate sportsman and works for NSW government providing physiotherapy services to people with disabilities. He is dedicated to ensuring that the Bathurst community has access to optimal support and services. Tina Mitchell is a small business owner within the community. She sees interdependence between local business owners as a crucial factor for promotion of the town. In addition to operating her business, Tina is completing a Bachelor of Business Management at Charles Sturt University. Kieran O’Dwyer is the founder of Bathurst Strength and Conditioning. He is passionate about educating the masses on how to effectively take care of themselves and their health. He is seeking to expand his business into other regions of the Central West. 

The “Ready For Business” ticket is committed to seeing business and tourism expansion within the region. 

“We need to shop local for council projects and promote local businesses as part of the promotion of Bathurst,” Packham told the Western Advocate. 

Additionally, the team has outlined infrastructure projects that they deem to be of significance to the community. These projects include: water security, an additional river crossing, and an upgrade to the existing crossing and road network to combat the current and future usage. 

Packham has noted the importance of working in unison with the other eight councillors to ensure the community is always the top priority. He believes development and prosperity will only occur if everyone involved can cooperate, share ideas and engage in open discussions. 

While the ticket is devoted to bringing a modern perspective to the community, the team understands that they must protect and respect the rich history and heritage that makes Bathurst such a special and unique place. 

“Culture and Heritage are key features of Bathurst, and stakeholders need to be consulted to achieve development and growth without losing the cultural identity of the city,” explained Packham.