Ku-ring-gai Mayor Christine Kay’s Busy Day

A Day in the Life of Christine Kay, Mayor of Ku-ring-gai

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• Name: Christine Kay

• Occupation: Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Council

• 4 words to describe a typical day? Purposeful, challenging, rewarding, ever-changing

Morning: Every day is different, and the activities within each part of the day vary, depending on the diary. Mornings often start with catching up on emails, reviewing Council reports, and preparing Mayoral Minutes, but could just as easily involve chairing a committee or meeting with staff and councillors.

Midday: During the day, I’m often out at school visits, local community events, or lunches that double as fundraisers or business meetings.

Afternoon: As the day progresses, I can be involved in site inspections, policy discussions, or responding to resident concerns — whether about trees, traffic, footpaths, or potholes. There may also be time for media interviews, community group meetings, or stakeholder engagement. 

Evening: Evenings frequently see Christine Kay attending Ku-ring-gai Council meetings, committees, civic receptions, forums, or local cultural and sporting events — often with opportunities to speak and connect directly with residents.

Outside of an ‘average day’, what can your other duties include?

• Advocating for infrastructure upgrades (roads, footpaths, sporting fields).

• Balancing budgets and ensuring responsible financial management.

• Supporting community organisations, sporting clubs, and cultural groups.

• Championing environmental initiatives and green space preservation.

• Ensuring transparency and good governance in Council decision-making.

• Representing the community at official functions and regional bodies.

• Driving long-term strategic planning and policy development.

• Acting as a first point of contact for residents and community groups.

Wow, that is a decent workload! What keeps you motivated? The variety. Some days are filled with policy making, others are about being out in the community. At the heart of it all is connecting with residents, engaging with councillors, and supporting community groups — making sure their voices shape the decisions that guide Ku-ring-gai’s future.

What’s something people might not expect about being Mayor?

Most people think it’s all about ceremonies and community events, which are definitely a crucial part of the role. But behind the scenes, there’s so much more: chairing meetings, briefings with staff, sitting on committees, building relationships with stakeholders — including State MPs — and dealing with the very real day-to-day issues residents raise. From trees and traffic to potholes, footpaths and planning, the role is always about finding practical solutions. 

Local government is often summed up as “roads, rates and rubbish,” but in reality it’s far broader — shaping liveability, supporting community groups, protecting the environment, and planning for the future. A big part of the work is also ongoing collaboration and engagement with fellow Councillors, ensuring that ideas are filtered into practical outcomes for the community.