Hello
I’m Melissa Milton—long-time local, proud mum, community volunteer, and your Independent candidate for Mackay Regional Council.
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For nearly two decades, I’ve worked on the inside of Council—in the Construction and Maintenance division—gaining unmatched insight into how decisions are made, how budgets are spent, and how services are delivered to our community.
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This deep operational knowledge gives me a significant advantage over other candidates. I don’t need time to “learn how Council works”—I already know. I understand what’s broken, what’s working, and where we can do better for ratepayers and residents.
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I’ve lived in the Mackay region since I was 7, and now raise my two daughters here with my partner James. We’re active in the community—I’m the president of a local horse club, a 2021 Australia Day Senior Sports Award winner, and spend weekends riding horses or mountain biking with my family.
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I’m passionate about using my experience to represent the real needs of everyday people across our region—rural, coastal, and city alike. I’ve lived here, worked here, and am raising my family here and I’m committed to seeing our region thrive.
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With 18 years of internal Council experience, I’m ready to represent our community with clarity, capability, and commitment—from day one.
Why Vote for Me?
After nearly two decades working within the construction and maintenance arm of Mackay Regional Council, I’ve seen firsthand what works and where things need to improve. I’m running for Council because I believe our region deserves genuine representation and understand the daily realities of our rural and urban communities.
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I’ve had the privilege of working across the full breadth of our region from Sarina to Eungella and everywhere in between and I know that many residents feel unheard. I want to change that.
Community Leadership & Committee Involvement
I have a long-standing commitment to strengthening our local community through leadership, volunteerism, and collaboration. Over the years, I have proudly served on several committees and community initiatives, including:
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Founding Director & Director – National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) District 8. I played a pivotal role in bringing the NBHA to our region, helping build a supportive environment for local barrel racers to compete, grow, and connect.
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Founder & President – Sugar City Barrel Racers. As the driving force behind SCBR, myself and our committee have created a family-friendly, inclusive club that promotes horsemanship, sportsmanship, and community spirit.
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Former Committee Member – Mackay Showgrounds Committee
I contributed my time and ideas to help manage and improve one of Mackay’s most important community assets.
My focus is always on creating family-friendly opportunities, supporting mental health, and bringing people together through inclusive and meaningful events. I have a passion for making a difference and am always ready to lend a hand where it’s needed most.
Professional Qualifications
I bring not only hands-on experience but also formal qualifications that support my leadership and community work:
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Certificate IV in Training & Assessment. Qualified to deliver and assess nationally recognised training, I have a strong foundation in adult education and skills development.
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Qualified Lead Auditor – Internal & External Auditing. With credentials in both internal and external auditing, I am trained to assess and improve systems, processes, and compliance across a range of industries.
These qualifications reflect my commitment to accountability, transparency, and continual improvement—values I bring to every role I take on, whether in business, community work, or governance.
2021 Senior Sports Award
Receiving the Senior Sports Award on Australia Day was an honour I’ll never forget — and sharing it with my family made it all the more special.
What made the day even more meaningful was having my grandmother, Shirley Luxford, by my side. Grandma has been honoured with two Australia Day awards in Ingham for her community contributions — and to now follow in her footsteps is something I am incredibly proud of.
I’m grateful for the recognition, but more so for the opportunity to represent the people and communities I care deeply about — from grassroots sport to regional resilience.
Thank you to the Mackay Regional Council for this award and for celebrating the work of everyday people who are passionate about making a difference.
The Milton Name in Mackay’s History
Many people know me as Melissa Milton — local mum, small business owner, and proud Mackay resident. But what you might not know is that the Milton name is deeply woven into Mackay’s history.
My great-granduncle, George L. Milton, was the father of George Albert Milton, who served as Mayor of Mackay from 1924 to 1930.
During his time as mayor, George Milton oversaw some defining moments in Mackay’s history — from the laying of the War Memorial foundation stone in Jubilee Park, to the opening of the original Mackay Golf Club clubhouse in 1926 (back when it stood where our airport is today), and guiding Mackay through key years of growth and change.
Learning about my family history reminds me how important it is to honour the past while building a better future. I’m proud to carry the Milton name forward — not for prestige, but because I love this community and want to represent it with honesty, integrity, and care.
