Councillor Vonda Malone was named the McKinnon Emerging Political Leader of the Year, for politicians with less than five years in office, for her outstanding leadership as Mayor of Torres Shire Council.

The McKinnon Prize in Political Leadership is a collaboration between the Susan McKinnon Foundation and the University of Melbourne.

Cr Malone was recognised for her efforts to bring together her community, shedding light on pressing issues such as unemployment, housing shortages, waste management, community engagement, health and wellbeing. She convened numerous dialogues and networking events across all levels of government.

“Growing up on Thursday Island and the remote island of Erub in the Eastern Cluster of the Torres Strait, I was far removed from mainstream Australian society. Starved of educational opportunity and a system that encouraged mediocrity, I committed early on to finish high school and decided that I was going to do things differently.”

Cr. Vonda Malone