Deputy Mayor Cayla Pothan

I am running again for council because I know I can add value. I am a friendly and approachable go getter. I spend a lot of my everyday talking to people - A simple trip to Woolies can result in an hour passing, because I have stopped to talk to 15 people when all I came in for was to pick up some milk.....

I bring a strong track record of dedication and strength through my business now open 9 years and community activities. As your representative on the Yass Council, I promise to do all I can to make our community a better place to live for us all.

I have lived in Yass Valley for 20 years - 7 years in Murrumbateman, 14 years now in Yass, with my husband and three grown children. I am passionate about family life, community, inclusion, local business, roads and accessibility, creativity, sport and fitness, mental health, health care and our access to good community infrastructure.

I have always been dedicated to the local community the entire 20 years I have lived here. My service on the Council and local business provides financial investment through sponsorship of sporting teams and events, Yass High School awards for art for both years 10 and 12. I offer mosaic tuition, creative art classes and a fun venue for community to gather, celebrate and share.

I employ local people and high school students. I personally shop local as much as I can.

I have renovated and re-opened an iconic old building that was previously abandoned. I love the joy people get out of my dressed up sheep and tree, and I love the community groups who are all part of creating and sharing this experience with everyone who drives past. I work well with others as a team player and foster opportunities for youth, community groups and creatives.

I am passionate about local business and tourism. Showcasing the best of our beautiful region and bringing in money to help the whole valley thrive. With the help of many people, I have created an International, National and local attraction through the mosaic walls out the back of Tootsie. I have people coming to Yass from far and wide who have contributed, heard about the walls and want to see the mosaics in person. And most recently, I have grown my business to include 24 flavors of gelato, promoting another tourism attraction in our region. I have won two International Business Awards in 2023 and 2024.

Let’s collaborate in this diverse Valley with lots of different people and opinions. How can I do my best to support our differences? I’m looking for solutions so we can come together to make our town, our region, an even better place to live.

I want to be part of a community that’s proud of the diversity, that builds one another up, a united town that is going to make us all want to live here with our families. Sure we will disagree and have different ideas, that’s what life is all about.

How we talk to each other, how we respectfully collaborate and support one another, that’s what’s important to me.

Together, we can move Yass forward as a community, so much is possible. I will commit myself to understanding, learning and use my often demonstrated doer personality to get things done. I will listen to you and I will tell you the truth. I am an honest straight shooter.

My passion and commitment to the community is to ensure that public money is spent wisely. Along with my own companies, I have previously managed Jerrabomberra area for Queanbeyan City Council as a qualified Horticulturist in Parks and Gardens. I have also worked in disability services and achieved an Associate Diploma in Disability. I have been a stay at home mum on our farm when my three children were young and understand the needs and demands of family life within a rural community.

What you see is what you get. I have been described as inspirational, strong, authentic, energetic, realistic, compassionate and integral from my peers. I believe that action speaks louder than words. I’d love to know what you’d like to see more of from me to make the Yass Valley even better?

What do you get if you vote for me?
A damn good Councillor.

(Authorised by Cayla Pothan of 289 Comur Street Yass NSW)