"Short answer: I thought that I could do a better job than the previous mayor! I love Cairns and am concerned about its future. I think that my background in business, community organisations and training - and my skills in strategic planning and communicating with people - will enable me to get the balance right.

"Yes, we need to have a strong economy and yes we need to look after our environment; and most importantly, we need to consider the well-being of the diverse groups in our community."

On Council

"We're a diverse group and my hope is that we will have robust, energetic discussions - that we will build on the positives - on the things that have gone right - at the same time acknowledging and planning around those areas where we might have done better." (swearing-in speech)

"It's not easy and we don't always agree, but we've made good decisions in the first 12 months; decisions that will set us up for the future. Like purchasing land for sporting facilities at Edmonton that should have been bought years ago... and agreeing that a new performing arts centre and museum are key infrastructure projects that we have to plan for."

The Community

I have always played an active role in the community whether it has been umpiring softball games, being a member of the Arts Council, secretary of scouts, president of the Machan's Beach Community Association, editing a monthly community newsletter, delivering meals on wheels, raising funds for the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre.

"One of the best parts of my jobs is seeing how many volunteers there are and how many people give generously and work to strengthen the community. "

"People say volunteering is declining but I constantly marvel at the people who keep the junior hockey/soccer/BMX/AFL footie going, spend months rehearsing for Choral Society or Rondo theatre productions or organise the Babinda Harvest Festival, the Cairns Show, the Port Douglas Carnivale, sing in community choirs. And then there's the Rotary, Lions and Zonta clubs, TocH, Scope, the numerous residents' associations . . . . . the list goes on.

"The volunteers are the unsung treasures of our community and I think we need to give greater recognition to many of these people."

The Economy

"The outlook for 2009 and 2010 is challenging and we have to stay focused and positive and look at how the Cairns Regional Council can show leadership in keeping jobs and minimizing the impact of the downturn in the economy, the tourism, construction and mining industries.

"When Council allocated the $900,000 from the federal government's Local Government Community Infrastructure Program in early 2009, we considered which projects would employ people and use materials bought from local businesses.

"We need to work closely with TTNQ and Advance Cairns to look for opportunities. Promoting green industries and tropical expertise is the way to go."

The Region

"I am passionate about the Cairns region and believe it's the best in the world, with the Great Barrier Reef on our doorstep and the stunning backyard of the Wet Tropics rainforests.

"Our environment gives us a competitive advantage and is the reason why many of us came here in the first place and why the visitors keep on coming. It enables us to have a tropical lifestyle which is the envy of the rest of Australia. We must value that and build upon that."

On Health

It's healthy body, healthy mind. I try to keep fit by walking, cycling or running every second day and I watch what I eat. Going to so many functions can be a trap and I find that I sometimes miss out on my vegetables. I've bought a juicer to counteract that and now need to find time to get to Rusty's Market or the Farmgate market (Saturdays at the Pier) every week for carrots, beetroot and celery.

My Family

"My only son James has just delighted and excited me by marrying Kim and moving back to Cairns to live and work (in January 2009) after being away studying, traveling and working. They are both wonderful people: compassionate, thoughtful, respectful of other people. And they are talking about having children. I can't wait to be a grandmother!"

"My parents were good, hard-working, working class people. My mother - who became terminally ill with cancer and died four months before my election win - endowed me with her high energy and the Schier determination to keep going in my goal to become mayor."

"My father implanted in me a love of the land, integrity, a huge measure of common sense and, thankfully, . . . . a sense of humour."

"I was the only girl with five brothers so I was a bit of a tom boy. My eldest brother Michael died last year and I think that's made us all closer."

You think that the Cairns region is similar to Tasmania?

"I find many similarities between the small hamlet where I grew up and Tropical North Queensland where I have lived and worked since 1982.

"These are the two places I love the most and both have shaped the values I hold about people and their communities. Both regions are a bit isolated geographically, have more than their share of creative people, boast some of Australia's best scenery and are rich in natural resources. They also attract lots of tourists."

On Life

"I believe that you only live once so you have to make the most of that life. It's a waste of time to be angry and frustrated; far better to channel your energy into trying to be the best person you can be. If you do that, you are far more likely to be able to make a difference in the community."

"I used to be a crusader, trying to change the world. Now I focus on trying to influence with honour and integrity and staying true to my values."

"Every day I try to be mindful, hopeful, optimistic and grateful. Before we go to bed it's helpful to think, "What are three good things that have happened today?"

On Travel

"I first went overseas in 1972 and have traveled regularly since then. I've had incredible experiences soaking up the wonderful diversity of cultures, peoples, landscapes, values, religions and everything else I discovered among the people and places I've visited in Europe, Africa, the USA, South America, India and South East Asia.

"But I always come home with an acute appreciation of Australia as a truly rich and lucky country."

Previous Work Experiences

"My vocational training experience led me to a role establishing a TAFE campus on Thursday Island and I spent five years living and working there. Later I became Director of Business Development for TAFE, introducing competition on the open market for the institution and reaching a target of $5million worth of business.

"For three years I successfully ran my own consultancy, Val Schier and Associates, conducting training needs analyses, facilitating community planning and delivering management training.

"In 2000 I accepted the challenge of establishing the newly created Cairns and Tablelands region of the Department of Families. I made sure I familiarised myself with the work of the department right at the grass roots level, going on client visits with field officers to help me understand the issues they faced on the job, as well as taking the opportunity to see things from the clients' perspectives. With 120 staff under my direction I undertook major change strategies to improve the organisation."

The Future

"The Council has to set a vision for the future and then come up with the goals, strategies and services to achieve that vision. In February 2009 we went out to involve the community in our corporate planning.

"The only way to achieve anything is through people and we have to empower them. It is so important for people to have their say about decisions that will affect their lives. There are so many people with knowledge and skills out there. I want to establish a Mayor's Award for Community Solutions to encourage people to share their ideas and come up with innovative approaches to issues affecting the region."

On Development

I am pro-development, if it's the right sort of development. My vision is all about retaining the unique tropical lifestyle we enjoy here in Cairns, taking special care not to destroy the things that attract people to live and holiday here. Development must be sustainable and every development decision must be balanced against the environmental and social impacts it will incur.

We have to say, "How will this affect our children and grandchildren? We can't leave them a mess to have to clean up."

What do I offer the people of the Cairns region?

"I believe I offer integrity, commitment, clear values, openness in communication, transparency in decision making and respect for people and the environment. And some common sense that I inherited from my dad!