Term expires as Councillor: 2026
First elected: 2011
Councillor Hugh McKenzie was first elected to Council in October 2011 and to his current position of Deputy Mayor in July 2023.
He comes from a strong business background, having been a partner in business advisory firm KPMG for 24 years. Since retiring from that position, he has spent his time giving back to his community in a variety of ways, not the least in his role as Councillor.
He determined in order to do this role, the way he wanted (which is full commitment) he needed to be free from a permanent fulltime role and as such now focusses on board positions and community roles outside his councillor duties. He makes himself available to meet with community members to discuss matters important to them and assists them in their interactions with Council and/or advocates where appropriate.
In the theme of giving back, he is the current President of the Northern Suburbs Community Centre, is Chair of philanthropic organisation The Cape Hope Foundation, which funds “hand up” type projects across the northern region. He also sits as the City of Launceston endorsed director of Launceston Airport, and is the current Chair and holds non- executive board positions with The Hobart Clinic and Tasmanian Irrigation.
He was previously the Chair of Primary Health Tasmania, Chair of Scotch Oakburn College, Chair of Cornerstone Youth Services (headspace), a founding Trustee of the Tamar Valley Peace Trust, State Chair and National Council member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) and non-executive director of the Tasmanian Qualifications Authority and the Australian Sports Foundation.
From these roles he believes he brings a strong governance and strategic focus with a can do attitude to Council.
He has lived his whole adult life in Launceston, has been happily married for forty years, raised and educated four children and now proud grand parent of four boys who live in Launceston, which provides added motivation to continue to involve himself in our community, to grow a future for them.
He is an avid sports fan who has participated in many sports including, AFL, cricket, tennis, golf and cycling and is heavily invested in the Arts through an actor son and wife and his role on the Theatre North Board.
He lives by the mantra of “don’t say do” as actions speak louder than words
He represents the Council on a number of Committees which are outlined below and through his time on Council has been a member of many others.
Special Council Committees: Tender Review Committee
Special Committees: Audit Panel and Municipal Emergency Management Committee (Chair)
External Committees: Australian Pacific Airports Launceston, Theatre North Inc. and University of Tasmania Northern Campus Engagement and Advisory Group