Meet Terry

Terry James, your State Member for Mulgrave

Born and educated in Cairns, Terry is a fourth-generation Cairns resident from a pioneering Far North Queensland family, whose history dates back to the late 1800s on the Hodgkinson Gold Fields, north of Dimbulah.  

Establishing JB Design (Cairns) Pty Ltd in 1977, Terry worked as a Director, Principal Building Designer, Interior Designer, Project Manager, Contract Manager and Planning Consultant for the company for 46 years, selling the business in 2023.

Terry served as an elected local government representative for 22 years, commencing with the former Cairns City Council.  Following local government boundary changes, Terry was elected to the Cairns Regional Council in 2012, serving as a Councillor and Deputy Mayor and finally as Mayor of Cairns between December 2023 and March 2024.

For over 40 years, Terry James has been an active community volunteer, including:

• Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation, 2019 – Current
• Far North Queensland Youth Assistance Fund, 1999 – Current,
• Harald’s House, 2006 – current
• Cairns & District Youth & Recreation Association, 1992 – 2000
• Australian Volunteer Coastguard – QF9 Cairns, 1980 – 1999

Terry’s business and local government experience means he has skills and knowledge across a range of policy areas, including community infrastructure and services, disaster management, community safety and environmental management.