Councillor John Wharton AM is Mayor of the Richmond Shire Council. He received a Member of the Order of Australia Award and Centenary Medal for his service to the community of North-West Queensland and local government. He is the Director of his own company, Wharton & Co Pty Ltd and is a registered Real Estate Agent.

John is recognised nationally for his commitment to community service through local government, regional development, natural resource management and primary industry organisations.

John is based in Richmond, north west Queensland.