Strathbogie Shire Council election candidates

I am an Engineer and 5th generation farmer who grew up in the hills of the Strathbogie Ranges. In my career, I worked for BHP and South32 for 17 years and have diverse international experience with relevant expertise in strategic analysis, planning & operations, stakeholder engagement, risk management, and business optimisation. I owned Boadle’s Chaff in Euroa from 2009-2021, employing 5 casual staff and supporting community events such as the Euroa Show. I live in Avenel with my wife and two children who attend Avenel Primary School and play football/netball for Tabilk. I divide my time between the farm and our consulting firm - Tundra Resource Analytics, which currently employs ~20 staff across the country. I volunteer in the CFA, the Avenel Primary School Council, and in maintaining Avenel’s historic stone bridge and park. I am passionate about respecting our history whilst also enhancing our region and ensuring a sustainable future for generations ahead. With your support, we can work together in utilising my unique skills and experience to represent you, your family, and your business on the Strathbogie Shire Council.

My name is Vicki Halsall (nee Houston), I am deeply connected to our shire having been born and educated in Longwood/ Euroa. I then went off to study and live in Melbourne. My tertiary education began with a Bachelor of Science and throughout my adult life I have continued my learning with a Grad Dip in Business Administration and most recently an Adv Dip of Building Design. I grew up on the farm, played sport, have a local business and my children attend local schools. I am proud and passionate about our resources, environment and community. I believe that history is written once, right or wrong. I am a strong and confident woman, juggling life, family, budgets and personal interests just like everyone else. My strength is in vision and seeing opportunities. I think outside the box, I am resourceful, and will prioritise 'local' and 'education' in the first instance every time. I am volunteering to be a Strathbogie Councillor to represent communities across our shire, working in a positive and proactive way, to implement solutions that make sense. So often government money is spent in ways that don't make sense and projects that do make sense don't get up.

A vote for me will bring valuable current knowledge and desired experience into Strathbogie Council. From 2016-2024 I have been a Councillor in Mitchell Shire. Deputy Mayor 2022 and Mayor 2023. It was a Council that was busy, united, high functioning and achieved significant benefits for their community. That's what Strathbogie now deserves. I offer experience, leadership, and sound communication skills to assist. I'm confident the new Council will embrace changes and will represent residents and ratepayers equally and well. Community concerns raised are many and varied from improving financial sustainability; well planned development with timely infrastructure; down to roads and keeping politics out of Council. I'm keen to work with community on them. Records show I genuinely listen and advocate strongly. The timing is right to join Strathbogie Council. My family, home and future are in Nagambie. I have lived and worked locally for 50 years. I was in Victoria Police for 36.5 years based in Seymour from 1981-2013 serving all of Strathbogie and surrounds. Years of volunteering, community involvement and leadership come with me. Sound interpersonal skills acquired, supported by my current extensive local government knowledge and experience, prepare me well to contribute to an exciting future. fiona.stevens31@bigpond.com

I live on an off grid farm in Boho where my wife and I run a small Australian White Sheep Stud. We have 5 adult children and moved here 2 and half years ago from the Macedon Ranges. I am semi retired, volunteer locally ( CFA and Red Cross ) and spent my career in local government working closely with elected Councillors. I understand what makes a effective Council and if elected I hope to be able to contribute by listening to and respecting my fellow Councillor colleagues, considering issues based on community views, the advice of officers and the interests of the entire Shire. Areas of specific interest for me are healthy ageing, sustainable agriculture / landcare and returning Strathbogie Shire to a functional and trusted local government. All communities deserve a well functioning democratically elected Council. I feel I have the time, enthusiasm, knowledge and experience to add value to the elected Council. I will do my best to help the community, elected Councillors and staff work together. I would appreciate your support. You can contact me on 0407 027 352 should you wish to know anything else about me.

As a local resident of Euroa I am seeking election to the Strathbogie Shire Council on October 26th, 2024. I was born and raised in Euroa. Upon leaving school I sought employment in Melbourne and eventually owned my own successful business. After selling my business I have maintained other business interests including property development. I also very much enjoy singing voluntarily at fund raisers and special events. All of us have seen the serious deterioration in services in the Shire including pot-holes in the roads; lack of footpaths and poor drainage. Whilst acknowledging the importance of global issues I believe that the Shire should concentrate on more local issues and the ratepayers. I would like to see appropriate development proceed from the Shire such as expanding housing; supporting local businesses; and promoting tourism. I support and understand the importance of cultural diversity and welcome further conversations to encourage mutual understanding. I acknowledge the hard economic impact of recent times and the need to assist some people in our community with support and compassion. I have a strong sense of community and will work hard to collaborate with fellow councilors to represent the people of the Strathbogie Shire.

Vote 1 Claire Ewart-Kennedy Back to basics, embrace the future and getting on with it. The 3r’s of council are #roads #rates #rubbish. I will deliver being a voice to all rate payers, businesses, residents and farmers -the backbone of this region. I will be a passionate and energetic representative of our community. I will always act in good faith and best interests of the community at all times with respect for all. Currently a partner in farms at Wahring and a business in Melbourne. I hold an ATCL and LTCL, BA in media, politics and communications, and a master’s in social Investment and philanthropy. Career highlights are stints with international and local media outlets, 13 years as a Federal and State political staffer and recently as Director GV Health Foundation and Engagement. I am a founding parent of the Hush Foundation, and I believe strongly in the partnership of social investment and hard work are the greatest solution for success. A proud mother to 3 adults. I believe in depositing in our community in greater value than you withdraw, and our beautiful region deserves its fair share. Your vote with me will not be a wasted vote #Lovewhereyoulive #backtobasics

My name is Brad Smith and I have been a resident of Nagambie for 7 years. I am involved with the Nagambie Football Netball Club in a variety of capacities, a member of the Nagambie Cricket Club and a keen user of our fantastic waterways (particularly for water-skiing). I am a candidate with a diverse work and study background which provides an excellent basis from which to represent our community and our residents interests. My work experience includes engineering in the paper industry, small business management, a decades experience in hospitality and tourism management, and for the past 8 years I have been working in the federal and state public service. I am a life long learner, having completed a Bachelor of Commerce, a Post Graduate Diploma in Project Management and a Masters of Business Administration. I am nominating for council as I believe it's time for some new faces to become representatives on our council, providing fresh perspectives and having the courage to make decisions that will drive change and deliver outcomes. As Albert Einstein may or may not have said, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results".

My role as a Councillor would be to work as hard as I can for the People of the Strathbogie Shire. To do this effectively I would expect and insist that my fellow Councillors work respectfully and cooperatively as an efficient team. Many challenging issues await resolution. Good governance is fundamental to managing resources and ensuring delivery of a Balnced Budget and an effective Council Plan together with delivery of Core Services for example Roads, Rates, Rubbish, ChildCare, Libraries. The people of the Strathbogie Shire deserve respect and response; that's what I offer.

My wife Loretta and I moved to the Strathbogie Shire nearly four years ago. We truly love this amazing community. I actively volunteer with the Euroa Agricultural Society; Euroa RSL; Friends of Rotary; the Euroa SES Unit and with the Euroa Australia Day Committee. I continue to work as the Managing Director of my own businesses with national and international reach, and this brings experience in navigating the complexities of business operations. My commitment to delivering exceptional customer service and fostering customer satisfaction drives my professional life. If elected to Council, my primary goal will be to restore integrity and community confidence through respectful and productive relationships with fellow councilors, the council CEO, and the dedicated staff. I will focus on the issues that fall within the council's legislative powers and responsibilities, acting strategically to seek continuous improvement and efficiency. I will aim to deliver real value for our residents, ratepayers, and our local businesses. I believe in the power of communication and collaboration, and I will actively engage with stakeholders on relevant matters and seek feedback. I am excited by the opportunity to represent you, so “let’s work together”.

Being the Strathbogie Mayor from 2016 to 2020 was an honour. My passion for our community is as strong now as it has ever been. My experience working across all three levels of government, will continue to assist council to address the needs of our community. As Mayor, each decision I made was in the best interests of all Strathbogie Shire residents. I’m committed to continue to prioritize advocacy, transparency, accountability, and integrity for our Shire. I believe in the importance of the community voice. I understand that our residents are the true experts of their own lives. Whether through community meetings or direct outreach, I am committed to creating avenues where our community is heard and valued. As the former Chair of Regional Development Australia, Hume Region, I worked collaboratively with government bodies, businesses, and community organizations to drive economic growth and sustainable development. As a teacher and farmer, my passion for agricultural education also guided my efforts, recognizing its critical role in our region’s future. If elected, I will continue to champion for our Strathbogie Shire community. Together, through good governance, active listening, and collaborative effort, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous community for all.

I have previously served over 11 years as a councillor of Strathbogie's Honeysuckle Ward and The City of Port Melbourne. I regularly engaged in conversations with residents and businesspeople about the issues that impact our region, including the upgrade of infrastructure such as roads and paths, and explorations about how the local economy can grow and progress. Strathbogie is one of Victoria's smallest local governments, both financially and demographically. My main aim for running is to help ensure there are enough funds in the budget for essential infrastructure and social services to meet our community needs, such as roads, buildings and public amenities. Good budgetary management is vital for Strathbogie's future viability as a small council. The qualities a councillor must have, are integrity, honesty, a willingness to work collaboratively and respect majority decisions, as well as the interest and energy to represent the shire by understanding the Local Government Act 2020. I will bring these qualities to the role. I have experience and commitment to contribute positively and get things done for the good of the whole shire. I will be accountable and community focussed councillor who will listen to all the voices. Vote 1 RAEBURN

I would be honoured to serve as Councillor for our Strathbogie Shire. We need fresh voices going forward, and I stand for accountability and respect in Council. I wish to craft a Shire that delivers value to its core customers – our local residents, ratepayers, and businesses. We, Councillors and staff, need to work together to achieve a Shire that is more responsive to our community. My initial goal is to ensure that every person who contacts our Shire actually gets a response and timely follow-up to their queries, so our Shire ceases being a ‘black box’ that is not fully transparent to its customers. Additionally, we must start taking strategy seriously. I want to create thorough, thoughtful, long-term plans and not just engage in box ticking exercises. From customer focus and good strategy virtually everything else flows! I believe in empowering all members of our community, putting locals first, and backing farmers, small business and our land. I’m confident I can achieve results from my strong business and strategic background. While I have lived and travelled widely, my family have been residents and ratepayers in Strathbogie since 1963. It is a place I love and am proud to call home.

My vision is clear, to be a member of a Council that can rebuild confidence and save our Shire ending the administration nightmare. Vote 1, Robin Weatherald, for your “Voice of Experience.” Strathbogie Shire's has experienced a disastrous period and now the future is in voter’s hands. If the Shire fails again there will be no more chances and extinction is a possibility. Road maintenance and repairs have become my top emergencies. Restoring questions without notice at Shire meetings is essential. Improve our environment by providing four free green-waste vouchers (Quarterly) Increase the Waste depot ‘service’ hours. Propose and support priority employment of local staff and the use of apprenticeships and worker traineeships. Revitalize swimming pools that must effectively teach life-saving skills. Yes! Build a new commercial specified Kirwins Bridge. One free ‘A’-frame business footpath sign, My extensive experience as a builder, businessperson, and employer at BP Euroa (1988-2013), I bring hands-on local experience and decisive business leadership ability. Over the past thirty years, I have been deeply involved in the Strathbogie Shire, advocating for a more effective and responsive Council. My council experience spans the Strathbogie, Nagambie, and Euroa communities, elected Councillor for all three former wards individually.

Vote 1 Laura Binks: Local. Professional. Effective. As your elected representative, I worked hard to be a strong, independent voice to boost the profile and success of Strathbogie Shire. Now Victoria’s fastest growing shire, my priority is to support this growth while protecting our fertile farming land and our region’s natural beauty. I am proud to have served as Councillor and Mayor from 2020-2023, where I saw firsthand the importance of respectful, collaborative leadership. I have in-depth knowledge of Local Government legislation. I advocated tirelessly to the Local Government Minister to implement reforms that will ensure past disruptions, such as Council’s suspension, cannot be repeated. Born and raised in the foothills of the Strathbogie Ranges, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities facing our community. I am committed to rebuilding trust, transparency and ensuring council decisions reflect the best interests of all residents. My strong relationships with state and federal politicians, government departments and stakeholders will allow me to continue advocating to enhance and improve our beautiful region. With collaboration and kindness at the heart of my work, I’m excited to keep working for you and our shire’s future.

My name is Gregory Carlson and I am standing for election arising from my concerns for the Council's future. Prior to 2008, I had fourteen years in Local Government. During that period I was Chairman of Commissioners of the Murrindindi Shire from 1994 to 1997 and Mayor of the Strathbogie Shire for 1997 and 2007 to 2008. While I have not been involved for some time the fundamentals of good governance remain the same. My two major priorities are transparent and accountable governance and the promotion of economic development on across the Shire. If the new Council fails to address these issues the future of the Shire is in doubt. Economic development is vital for our Council revenue base. Essentially we have two choices. Stay with the status quo and impose an increasing taxation burden on our ratepayers or enhance our prospects by facilitating investment leading to the growth of Council revenue. I choose to pursue the latter. Changing direction is the only realistic path to sustain and improve our services and local infrastructure thereby providing residents with value for money.