He’s been a beacon of positivity on the big and small screen and now Paul Mercurio has reinvented himself as a politician to help fix the problems in his own backyard on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula.
“You can call me a shire councillor, just don’t call me a celebrity,” says the father-of-three, who last year won a seat on the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. “Who knows where it will lead? Prime minister, then leader of the world!”
He lets out a belly laugh over the jest, but if he threw his hat in the ring in either federal or state politics, Paul may just surprise himself.
“Never say never,” he tells Woman’s Day. “I don’t know where this experience is going to lead to, but then again, I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be on my local council a year ago. I just thought I could make a difference if I got involved and I needed a new challenge.”
The move into local politics is a major pivot for Paul, 57, who touched the hearts of millions around the globe when he burst onto the big screen playing the sexy lead in Baz Luhrmann’s romantic comedy.
This story is from the March 1, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 1, 2021 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
I SWAPPED RETIREMENT FORT NURSING!
Neysa is embracing adventure and a career change at 70
THE BLOCK - AUCTIONS TAKE TWO!
Just six months after it sold for an eye-watering $4.3 million at The Block auction in November, Eliza and Liberty Paschke's Hampton East home went under the hammer once again.
THE SPICIEST 50TH EVER!
It cost a whopping $480,000 but it was worth every penny!
A HOWLING SUCCESS!
The first memorial statue to the Queen is unveiled — and it's pawsitively adorable!
PRISCILLA CONFRONTED BY ELVIS' LOVE CHILD
Elvis' alleged love child Deborah Presley Brando had Priscilla Presley all shook up ahead of a book signing she was due to attend in May.
JAMES & SARAH - WHY THEY REALLY HID THEIR DIVORCE
After months of rumours, the actress has bravely told the truth
HENRY IS OUR MIRACLE BABY
In an Australian first, Kirsty birthed her son, thanks to her own mum's donated uterus
JEN GARNER FINALLY TELLS MY SIDE OF THE STORY!
The actress breaks her silence at last on her relationship with ex-husband Ben Affleck
MEGHAN WARNS HARRY - ARCHIE'S NEVER SETTING FOOT IN LONDON
Despite her husband's pleas, the duchess is determined to celebrate their son's birthday in the US
FURIOUS EXES.A WALKOUT & WEDDING!
Things have gone from bad to worse for Farmer Joe as his true intentions are called into question