Restrictions Lit Fire For State Ambition

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday October 7, 2006

By PAUL McINERNEY

FOR the past 41/2 years, independent Wollongong Lord Mayor Alex Darling has been chaffing at the restrictions that have been placed on him by a Labor-dominated council.

The 72-year-old retired jeweller insists that he is a genuine independent candidate and says that outside of local government, he has had little interest in politics until quite recently.

His decision to stand in the newly named seat of Shellharbour has sent shock waves through Labor ranks in the region. To win the seat will be nothing short of an electoral miracle.

Born and raised in Wollongong, he began working in a jeweller's shop before and after school at just 12 years of age.

He was the city's first apprentice jeweller, leaving school after obtaining his Intermediate Certificate (equivalent to Year 9).

His father was a founder of Wollongong furniture store Barnes-Darling, but the young Darling preferred diamonds to divans and started his own jewellery store when he turned 21.

The pressure of running a business with little money was enormous and Councillor Darling now concedes entering business so young was a major mistake. In 1957, at 23 years of age, he married and children quickly followed, adding further pressures.

Cr Darling was also a promising rugby league player, and was only 17 when he made his first grade debut with local glamour club Corrimal.

He still harbours regrets his rugby league career had to be sacrificed due to the demands of business.

In a recent interview, Cr Darling revealed he lacked tolerance and understanding in his earlier life and he failed to meet the high expectations he had placed on himself.

There were two marriage breakdowns, the first after 14 years and the second after 20 years.

In all, he had six children, but one son died in 2003.

His partner, Michele, is comfortable in the role of Lady Mayoress and adopts his surname for official functions.

Cr Darling is a veteran of 19 years in local government, both in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, where he served as councillor and later mayor.

At a time when other men would be thinking of putting their feet up, Cr Darling says he has no desire to retire and is considering standing again for the city's top job in 2008.

* Shoalhaven councillor 1983-1987. Served as mayor in 1987.

*Wollongong City councillor 1987-91.

* Re-elected to Wollongong City Council 1995.

* Replaced George Harrison as Wollongong Lord Mayor September, 2002.

* Chairman of the Southern Councils Group.

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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