Cr Rayner is a proud Longreach local having completed his primary and secondary education in Longreach before completing his tertiary qualifications at the University of Queensland (Queensland Agricultural College).

He was elected for his first term as Mayor of Longreach Regional Council in the 2020 and was returned un-opposed in the 2024 election. Prior to that he served the previous four-year term as a Councillor. Whilst a Councillor he was also Chief Executive Officer of RAPAD Employment Services Queensland (RESQ); an employment agency operating across one-third of regional Queensland and employing 40 staff. Cr Rayner held the role for six years and built the company into a highly successful organisation – rated among the top three in Australia for job outcomes and community activity value.

Prior to this Cr Rayner was a senior executive within the Queensland Government; serving in roles such as Executive Director for the Australian Agricultural Colleges, Assistant Director-General Department Primary Industries, Executive Director Employment and Economic Development, and Regional Director roles over a 30 year period.

He has actively engaged with the Remote Area Planning and Development Board (RAPAD) in various roles and has worked closely with many State and Federal Cabinet Ministers and Directors-General. This experience includes regular deputations and meetings with government in Canberra and Brisbane advocating for funding of regional areas. Cr Rayner was elected as Chair of RAPAD following his Mayoral appointment and is also a Board Director for RESQ. Cr Rayner is one of the 21 Mayors that comprise the Western Qld Alliance.

Mayor Rayner is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Justice of the Peace (Qualified), a Graduate of the Experiential Leadership Development Program, and has completed tertiary qualifications and numerous professional development programs. He has served as a director on various boards and management committees such as Queensland Agricultural Colleges, Rural Lands Advisory Council, multiple Natural Resource Management Committees, and is a regular panel member for State Government bodies.

His experience also encompasses a comprehensive understanding of disaster relief operations; having coordinated some of the biggest flood relief and recovery programs in regional Queensland over a wide range of state-wide disasters.

Mayor Rayner’s passion is for regional communities, good governance, youth development, sound natural resource management, and the economic growth of rural and regional communities. Mayor Rayner is a strong and passionate advocate for buying local and supporting local businesses to grow and develop.