News
28 July, 2026
Councillor, broadcaster go head to head
It’s the stoush of all stoushes. In one corner we have Graeme Day. 2ST broadcaster, former Shoalhaven councillor and passionate advocate for traditional media.
It’s the stoush of all stoushes.
In one corner we have Graeme Day. 2ST broadcaster, former Shoalhaven councillor and passionate advocate for traditional media.
In the opposite corner we have Nicole Smith, sitting Wingecarribee councillor, marketer and podcaster.
Central to the stoush is Highlands Opinion – a Facebook group with more than 11,000 members that is highly critical of all things council.
Cr Smith alleges it is run by disgruntled former council employees and councillors and wants the administrators of the site to step forward.
She used her podcast last week to ask local residents for help in identifying the ‘Faceless Four’ – the four administrators behind the Highlands Opinion page.
She has described their identity as one of the Southern Highlands’ best kept secrets.
“I have no idea who the publishers are or who is behind this and that’s why I’m worried.”
Cr Smith has accused the page of ‘angertainment’ and ‘rage baiting’.
“I don’t want to see that,” she said.
“I want to see good debate but I don’t think it’s nice to have this nasty, toxic place because it does affect real people in our very real community.”
Cr Smith said she had reached out to the administrators of the page but had yet to receive a response.
“These people are so obsessed with council … I wouldn’t know if I’ve seen them at a council meeting or not because I don’t know what they look like.”
Graeme Day described Cr Smith’s podcast as “bizarre”.
“She’s one of those people who just wants to close down something that goes against her and it’s shameful,” he said on air last week.
“It’s appalling, absolutely appalling – and if the general manager doesn’t bring her into line and say you’re bringing the council into disrepute or the other councillors, there’s something wrong.
“This is terrible. I know I go on about a lot of things, but this is beyond the pale,” Mr Day said.
The stoush continued on Monday with a fiery on-air clash.
Cr Smith renewed her allegation that the Facebook page was being run by ‘former senior executives and former councillors’ and accused them of ‘council bashing’.
She said comments on the page that didn’t suit a particular narrative were deleted.
Cr Smith said it was important to have online forums but described the administrators as “scared and weak” for not stepping forward.
“It’s not healthy or good debate,” she said.
Cr Smith suggested Mr Day became “triggered and defensive” whenever Highlands Opinion was discussed.
“It concerns me when people talk rubbish,” he responded.
“That’s what concerns me.”
Mr Day said Cr Smith’s talk of a ‘media desert’ in the Southern Highlands was an attack on everyone who worked in the traditional media.
He also questioned if Cr Smith was being paid for her podcasts.
Cr Smith said she had declared her interests.
“I am clear about it,” she said.
Highlands Opinion has denied Cr Smith’s allegations.
“We can categorically state that none of us are former employees or ex councillors of WSC,” Highlands Opinion editor Phoebe Kent told Mr Day. “The biggest secret in the Southern Highlands is not who runs Highlands Opinion - it’s who is making sure the ratepayers have their concerns represented in council.
“Holding democracy to account is more important than Cr Smith’s deluded conspiracy theories. “We all know the next mayoral election is coming up, and it appears Nicole is trying to build profile but it’s really not working for her.”
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