Forum to answer aspiring candidate queries

THE Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute will present a panel discussion designed to educate aspiring City councillors this Friday night.

The free forum, Everything You Want to Know About Running for Council but are too Afraid to Ask will feature former Ballarat mayor, Judy Verlin, Victorian Local Governance Association CEO, Kathryn Arndt and the City of Ballarat CEO, Janet Dore.

Hosted and chaired by ABC Ballarat’s chief of staff, Prue Bentley, the panellists will respond to questions while the event is streamed live via YouTube.

BMI venue and facilities coordinator, Sam McColl hopes it will provide a valuable service for those exploring the idea of campaigning.

“We know there are a lot of local residents in Ballarat looking at running for council but don’t really know how to get started, or what it involves,” he said.

“The original mission when the BMI first was established in 1859 was to provide education and a service to the Ballarat community, and this is the type of event that continues that legacy.”

The initial discussion will run from 5.30pm on Friday, 11 September. The public can register via runningforcouncilbmi.eventbrite.com.au, where they’ll receive the YouTube live link, and have an opportunity to send a question for the panel.

However, while the event is live, those watching will also have an opportunity to ask questions spontaneously, which will be fed to Ms Bentley.

This first panel is part of an upcoming series of events the Mechanics’ Institute is facilitating ahead of the municipal elections.

Three more Friday night events will give the public a chance to become familiar with all candidates putting their hand up for a councillor role, ward by ward.

“Hopefully, we’ll get every single candidate attend, have a chat about themselves, outline their values and what they’ll be taking to council,” Mr McColl said.

“We’re hoping the Ballarat community can really engage in the local politics and that will lead to a great outcome in October, where people actually think about why they’re voting, and who they’re voting for.

“That’s our goal.”