It would be the first of 16 years as mayor for Mrs Strelow. The well known identity sat down with The Morning Bulletin last week for the first time since her sudden departure from the Rockhampton mayoral position in November. She spoke with fondness and pride about her successful and varied political career, sharing the highs and lows. Mrs Strelow first ran for a Rockhampton City councillor position in 1994 but was unsuccessful. She was, however, successful at the 1997 election and was voted in for the northside division, around Lakes Creek Rd and Elizabeth Park. "I had to contest a Labor Party plebiscite to contest the division I lived in then," Mrs Strelow said of her first term in the council.