Ann Rocca
AFTER 17 years on the Queanbeyan City Council Ann Rocca has bowed out following her unsuccessful bid for mayor at Saturday's election.
Ms Rocca, 59-years-old, laid it all on the line this year only nominating herself for a mayoral position but not a councillor seat.
"The last four years I served under Tim Overall was a complete waste of time, I did a huge amount of work but serving under Tim there was little I could achieve," she said.
"I thought he may be re-elected as he is popular, very popular in fact but I just wasn't prepared to be in the same situation for the next four years where I had little influence on any of the decisions made. I think I will be able to have more influence outside the council than within it.
"In terms of the new council, I think it will be very frustrating for the councillors not on Tim's team judging from the last term," she said. "It was a very difficult four years for me ... I can't see the way the council will change, so I think it will be hard for the independents.''
Ms Rocca ended up with a 7.91 percent share of first preference votes for the mayor's position and said she was disappointed with the result hoping it would be a higher.
"I'm sorry the vote was so low but I didn't spend a lot of money on the campaign so I can't really complain...," she said.
"It was a poor result, I did think I could get maybe 10pc of the votes but obviously there weren't many left to spare with Tim getting 54% and good on him.
"I guess with such a majority whether I got two or 20pc it wouldn't have mattered."
Ms Rocca first ran for council in 1980 on the suggestion on former mayor Frank Pangallo and was elected in the 1995 elections. She hoped she is remembered for many things but primarily as the driving force behind The Q Performing Arts Centre.
"I was always interested in local matters and civic affairs in the community where I live ... I would like to be remembered as a councillor who spoke to people and gave people time. I was always available, I'm in the phone book and people could knock on my door if they wanted to talk. I hope people felt I was accessible," she said.
"I was also happy to debate issues, I'm not interested in criticising people but discussing the issues. "That discussion and debate is all part of the process. I think you need to air all the alternatives ... the pros and cons of the argument before making a decision.''
Ms Rocca said she had no plans at the moment to stand for council again and is looking forward to having a break.
"I've had several offers ... but I don't know, I've got plenty to keep me occupied full-time right up until Christmas. "I have no grand plans just lots of small plans."