About Cr Sarah Tiffen
Councillor Sarah Tiffen is descendent of one of Leeton’s pioneer families, with her great-grandparents travelling down the Darling River with their children on a horse and dray to take up farmland in the new irrigation area. Her grandfather Alfred James Tiffen (Jim Tiffen Snr) was born in the tent hospital in Crusher Camp (now Aspen Crescent) in 1912, and the family have been orchardists and farmers in the district since that time.
Cr Tiffen follows in her family footsteps in a life of service to advance our community. She grew up on the family farm at Koonadan in the Stony Point/Murrami district, where her family still farm to this day. The Tiffen family have strong living ties to farming, irrigation, the rice industry, the Letona Cannery and to the economic and social development of the town over many years. Her mother has been a long-time community leader and activist, and Cr Tiffen seeks to build on that legacy.
A recognised poet and writer, author of six books of poetry, and having been short-listed for several poetry awards, Cr Tiffen is also founder of Riverina Writing House, an independent publishing house and centre for writers and writing based in Leeton. Making books that celebrate the voices and tell the stories of rural Australians, and the Riverina and Leeton community, are foundational to her mission. Leeton has an incredible history of arts and culture that provides us with unique opportunities to build future growth.
Having worked for many years as a speechwriter for many federal politicians honoured to be elected to Council, Cr Tiffen comes to the role to fight for the things that keep our community strong – to listen to people and work to deliver what they need for wellbeing and community cohesion. Protecting farmers, agriculture and the natural environment, creating opportunity for our young people, taking action on mental health, housing and education, improving social cohesion and equality and helping drive growth in our arts and cultural sector are key areas of focus.
Having raised three children as a single mother, Cr Tiffen understands the difficulties people can face on their life journey, and wants to find ways to help everyone access opportunities for growth and success. She looks forward to working hard to protect and advance people’s interests, to provide opportunity, to be open and honest and speak up for the issues that matter.
Cr Tiffen thanks the community for this opportunity to learn and to serve.
Committee Membership:
- SunRice Festival Committee
- Community Grant Funding Working Group
- Leeton Tree Advisory Committee
- Roxy Redevelopment Committee (RCC)
- Youth Council
- Henry Lawson Cottage Committee
Portfolio Lead:
- Education
- Environmental Sustainability (including Climate Change)