Two top appointments for Richard
October 3, 2023 by Henry Benjamin
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Richard Shields has been appointed the NSW State Director of the Liberal Party and, in the same week, elected as Mayor of Woollahra.
Richard Shields
Richard told J-Wire: “Having grown up in a rented apartment with my mother and brother in a unit a stone’s throw from the Council Chambers I am extremely humbled and honoured to represent our great community.”
The 51-year-old Richard Shields is head of Government Relations at Westpac,
Richard Shields grew up in Double Bay and attended Double Bay Public School and Sydney Boys High. He was Bar Mitzvahed at Emanuel Synagogue by Rabbi Brian Fox and taught by Cantor Michael Deutsch. He also married his wife, Shoshana at Emanuel Synagogue. They now have three children and live in Double Bay.
Shoshana and Richard’s oldest child finished her schooling at Moriah last year.
Richard has been involved in the Maccabi Touch Football Club and plays for the Maccabi Goldies Touch team, together with Shoshana, his brother and sister-in-law and also many Foundation Members of the Club.
Richard Shields added: “I view public service as a way to make a difference in people’s lives, and there is no greater calling than serving the community as an elected representative.
I would like to see a greater focus on the Council’s bread-and-butter issues. When I talk to the community, they expect our Council to focus on safe roads and footpaths, a great rubbish collection service and a speedy processing of DAs. I also lead the Liberal Councillors where our decisions are based on ensuring that our community is served by an efficient council structure and rates are kept at fair levels.
Personally, I will continue to fight for a Double Bay cinema and at the same time modernising our ageing car park infrastructure.”
David Ossip, president of The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies, said: “On behalf of the NSW Jewish community, we wish Richard Shields a big Mazal Tov on his election as Mayor of Woollahra and his appointment as State Director of the NSW Liberal Party.
Richard has diligently served the community of Woollahra and the Liberal Party over many years and will bring great intellect and commitment to his new roles.
As a community, we are very proud of Richard’s achievements and look forward to working with him in his new capacities.”
