Janie Finlay said goodbye to Launceston Council after 21 years to begin Bass role with Labor

Ms Finlay has had a distinguished career at local government level which began in 2000, including a stint as Launceston mayor, before winning selection for Bass at the recent state election.

Elected to Launceston Council at the start of the millennium, Ms Finlay was mayor from 2002 to 2005 and was the youngest female mayor in Australia.

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In the recent Launceston council meeting, Ms Finlay addressed her colleagues and some members of the public after being informed the night before that her term as councillor had concluded due to her new role.

"As I stand here in the doorway looking out of these three windows, most of my adult life, my contemplations about this city, this council and our future have been framed as I've been thinking through these windows," she said.

"For 21 years, this has been my home and it's been my family and like most homes and families, it's been chaotic and it's been amazing and I've grown a lot and learnt a lot.

"There's been a lot of moments around this table, where you learn, you break, you grow, you contribute, you stay quiet and you execute your discipline."

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Outside of her council duties, Ms Finlay has been an active member in the community with many board roles including being the chairwoman of the Launceston Tornadoes and a board member for the Tasmania JackJumpers.

Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten congratulated Ms Finlay on her new role and thanked her for the many years of service to the community and local government.

"I really appreciate your contribution to council and to what you have done, and I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly thank you and to appreciate that ... we wish you very well in your new role," he said.

In her speech, Ms Finlay urged any members of the public thinking about running for local government to act now ahead of the elections next year.

"Anyone that is keen to be at this table [it is] the best place to be, it is incredible, you can contribute so much ... it's about perpetually being out there and being engaged," she said.

"You can use this place in local government to go anywhere and do anything."

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