Vision driving Yvonne towards 2032

Yvonne Barlow, the longest-serving councillor in Moreton Bay’s current chamber, has no plans to step down. In fact, she already has 2032 in her sights.

That is, of course, when Brisbane and Moreton Bay host the Olympic Games - and says much about the Moreton Bay City Council Division 7 representative.

Rather than relaxing in retirement, she’s driving towards “at least another (four-year) term … to achieve more” in a job she loves.

“This is a passion. I feel I was born too soon,” Yvonne said. “All these things happening now, like the university at Lawnton, give a vision for this area.

“The future’s exciting. Councillors have the ability to help a lot of people and when my time is up I need to know I have done my bit.

“I would love to be there for the ride to (Brisbane Olympics) 2032 and while my health remains, keep doing what I’m doing.”

Sport has played a big role in Yvonne’s life. She played basketball and softball for Queensland at school, played competitive tennis, won table tennis championships, was a swimming champion and lifesaver, showed Arabian horses, was manager and coach of many members of the Queensland junior tenpin bowling team, including her son and daughter, and was an “average golfer”.

Graphic artist by trade and qualified signwriter, Yvonne was in management at Pacific Waste when, in 1997, she decided to run for Pine Rivers Shire Council.

Elected and becoming a councillor meant a $40,000 drop in wages, but Yvonne felt it was her “calling” and served for 11 years.

She then went into real estate but when Cr Denise Sims resigned in 2021, Yvonne stood and won the by-election.

She was returned unopposed in 2024 taking her councillor years to 16 ahead of Brooke Savige, Adam Hain and Matt Constance on 10. Peter Flannery served 12 years before becoming mayor in 2020.

“I decided to come back because I felt Division 7, particularly Kallangur, needed attention and it wasn’t happening. Things needed doing,” she said.

“I’ve been blessed with extremely good health and an abundance of energy but don’t really see this as a job - more a chance to make dreams come true for people.

“I believe in the ability to make change. If something is bugging me, I think other people must be feeling the same. People like to take pride in the area they live in.”

Future ‘change’ in Division 7 will include the huge upgrade of Old Gympie Rd from Boundary Rd to Anzac Ave - a project costing hundreds of millions of dollars.

A wedding precinct with a rotunda is also planned near John Oxley Reserve. “It’s a park with a difference. It won’t cost, but be an area people can take pride in,” Yvonne said.

The councillor’s working on an interactive display about Oxley’s trip to the North and South Pine Rivers and is on the committee upgrading and reviving Old Petrie Town.

Boxes have also been ticked for a scooter track, fitness equipment in parks and fairy lights in trees which Yvonne pushed hard to get approved and can now be seen in Redcliffe.

“Some might say it’s a small thing but the look on the faces of children when they see fairy lights, gives a sense of belonging,” Yvonne said.

The job has changed significantly since Yvonne became Councillor Barlow 29 years ago, not least financially, with Moreton Bay now having a $1 billion budget.

Which will help Yvonne’s longer-term aims: “I want to have Kallangur alive, not have North Lakes as the big brother.

“I want it to be special for the people. I want to leave a legacy for the future … make dreams come true.”

Part of our Older and Bolder Special Feature, celebrating life over 50 in Moreton Bay.