Mark Dal Bon lives on the citrus farm that his grandfather established. Photo: Oliver Jacques.
Griffith has never had a councillor like Mark Dal Bon. He wears a flannelette shirt to meetings, repeatedly asks questions, backed a ban on alcohol in the chambers and voted to deny himself a pay rise.
“Some like to hate me and others hate to like me,” he says.
The 62-year-old Hanwood citrus farmer first ran for council in October 2024, but was given little chance of winning from what seemed like an impossible spot on the ballot paper. The rest is history.
Region caught up with Mr Dal Bon to ask about his fashion sense, why he didn’t want a pay rise, his anti-pothole passion and whether he’d run to be our MP.
Why do you wear flannel to council meetings?
I may wear flannelette but it’s always a clean shirt. It’s the same shirt I used when I was running for council, on the posters and ads. People asked if I’d be the same person if I was elected to council. So I’ve kept the shirt to show that I am.
But I do wear a collared shirt and tie at special events.
What motivated you to run for local government?
I never wanted to be a councillor but felt the community wanted me to run. They said I have a big mouth, so if you talk the talk, you have to walk the walk.
Even before I ran for council, people would pull me up in the street and bring up issues with me. It got to the stage that I had to run.
Everybody loves a pay rise. Why did you vote against one for all councillors?
I didn’t think it was justified. The previous council lobbied for a special rate variation because the council said it needed money. Being a first-time councillor, I didn’t think it was justified for me to ask for a pay rise. But I respect the right of the other councillors to have a different opinion.
How have you enjoyed being a councillor?
I give the Mayor a bit of a headache when I ask a lot of questions and perhaps don’t express things well.
I think all the councillors have shown that we all treat each other with respect. We might agree or agree to disagree, but there’s always respect.
I’ve enjoyed bringing the voice of the community to council. There are more enjoyable things to do, like going fishing. But this had to be done.
The icing on the cake to being a councillor is to go to community events, like with schoolchildren, to see the younger generation, or the elderly, to show they are not forgotten.
Mark Dal Bon does dress up for special occasions. Photo: Griffith City Council.
Like fellow new councillor Scott Groat, you have pushed for the council to be more flexible when dealing with businesses. Why is that important?
Scott and I are both farmers and we see how hard things can be for them. I’m someone who believes that if something can be mediated, if we can sit down and negotiate, then let’s do that rather than going to court and spending ratepayers’ money.
But really, all councillors believe this; no councillor wants to take people to court.
What’s the one issue you’re most passionate about?
Everybody knows my passion is the roads. Every time I hit a pothole, I say “Damn council”, but then I look in the mirror and say to myself, “Mark, you’re a councillor”.
If wish I had a dollar for everyone who asked to have their road graded. I’m keen to do anything that makes Griffith look better. I want to improve the main street and work outwards from there.
Is there a Mrs Dal Bon?
No, I am not married. I’d say I’m married to life. It’s not that marriage has never interested me, I’ve just thought if it happens, it happens. I’ve had girlfriends, but I haven’t pursued marriage. I’m a bit of a loner and enjoy my own company. I still haven’t worked out my true destiny.
Perhaps it’s becoming an MP? Would you run for parliament?
No, Helen Dalton is doing a great job, she’s getting younger, not older. My goal is to be a councillor – that gives people enough headaches.
