Meet your council candidates: Kardinia Ward, City of Greater Geelong

Jack Williams

Occupation: Station Officer at Marshall Station

Where do you live? Mount Duneed

How long have you lived in your ward? I have lived in the Kardinia ward for only a short time, but have been a Geelong local for over 20 years and have worked in the ward for a number of years, which has enabled me to get to know and understand the needs of the community.

What’s your involvement with the community? As the local stationmaster I interact with the community on a daily basis getting to know them as they pass through the station or I pass through their businesses.

What’s your political allegiance? Although not endorsed, I am a member of the Labor party

Who will you preference? I will release my ‘how-to-vote’ preferences in the days leading up to ballots being received.

What’s your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial support? My campaign budget is $2,000 which has been majoritively self-funded, but also much appreciated donations from family and friends.

What are the most important issues in your ward? I am campaigning for three issues in particular: youth, inclusion and sustainability. If elected I would be advocating for more youth ‘drop in’ centres where the youngest members of our community can be provided with a safe place to support mental health, personal development and making friends. I would like to see everyone able to participate in the community regardless of age, sexual orientation, cultural background or whether they are living with a disability. Finally I would like to future proof Geelong by planning for sustainability – economically, socially and environmentally – making sure our city is set up for generations to come.

Ron Nelson

Candidate did not respond by deadline. From their website:

I love Geelong. I was raised and educated here, and I am passionate about fulfilling the potential and opportunities that lie ahead for our city.

During my 43 years in Geelong, I have a long track record of community service. I have loved supporting and playing for my local cricket and football clubs, and been privileged to be involved with many wonderful charities and clubs such as Rotary, Lions, Give Where You Live, Beyond Blue, and proud member of Geelong CATS, RSL, and our libraries. Such involvement has instilled in me a deep connection and love of Geelong, and a real understanding of the issues facing local residents and small businesses.

Andy Richards

Occupation: Commercial Construction

Resides in: Not stated

How long in ward: 14 years

Community Involvement: represented Buckley Ward on Geelong Council from 2008 to 2016, and delivered a number of council projects in that time, including Waurn Ponds Library and Grovedale Children’s Hub.

Political allegiance: Australian Labor Party

Preferences? Put the incumbent/sitting councillors last.

Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? Entirely self funded

Most important issues in your ward:  It’s time our community in southern Geelong got a fair go, and some real representation back on Geelong council. The current council seem only interested in Geelong CBD. Like you, I’m tired of hearing about council building great projects somewhere else, while the southern suburbs miss out. If I’m elected, I will take action to bring council’s focus back to our local community, delivering projects and services as quickly as possible. I’ll oppose any outsourcing, privatising or contracting out of essential council services. I’ll oppose fee increases for council services, like childcare, meals on wheels, pet registration, homecare and leisure facilities. Let’s get Geelong Council back working for you.

Pat Murnane

Occupation: Self-employed Consultant

Where do you live? Highton

How long have you lived in your ward? 43 years

What’s your involvement with the community? Executive Board Support for Geelong Connected Communities and Active Geelong.

What’s your political allegiance? Independent

Who will you preference? Bruce Harwood, Ron Nelson and Belinda Moloney

What’s your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial support? I am not receiving any financial support

What are the most important issues in your ward? Sustainable development throughout Armstrong Creek, including upgrades to our road and footpath networks, community and sporting facilities and completion of the duplication of Barwon Heads Road.
Achieving social equity throughout our communities for all groups with special attention for the disadvantaged, aged, youth and the isolated.
Expanding our shared recreational trails network throughout the municipality to encourage greater levels of physical activity, whilst also respecting the needs of the environment.
Promote and support programs around community safety, including homelessness, emergency food relief, isolation, mental health, substance abuse and family violence.
To create new jobs and reduce levels of unemployment in the post COVID-19 climate, as well as promoting Geelong as a destination to re-energise the visitor economy and restore economic prosperity to our city.

Atamjit Singh

Candidate did not respond by deadline. From their VEC questionnaire:

PROGRESSIVE, DECISIVE AND DIVERSE GEELONG. Advocate for sustainable planning, better roads, modern sports and recreation facilities, achieving Climate Change targeted framework, better parks, new Libraries in the growth regions and continuous upgrade of existing libraries, work toward fixing the problem of unauthorized Graffiti. A vision for a more liveable city

Belinda Moloney

Candidate did not respond by deadline. From their website:

These are some unprecedented times, folks. Since the last elections, we’ve seen the devastating impact of climate change and coronavirus threatening our economy and livelihoods. Council should lead the way with initiatives to tackle these issues, and while we’re overdue for Council’s emergency recovery plan, we need to fix a broken system.

How? Getting behind our local businesses as a priority, establishing food security, reinvigorating our parks, libraries, and investing in our arts sector, childcare and disability services.

Anthony Hamilton-Smith

Occupation: Designer (Film and TV Set Designer, Interior Designer, Furniture Designer, Builder)

Where do you live? Highton (Kardinia Ward)

How long have you lived in your ward? 9 years

What’s your involvement with the community? Have designed and built projects in my community.

What’s your political allegiance? Greens

Who will you preference? Put Climate First

What’s your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial support? $500 via donations

What are the most important issues in your ward? Take climate change/sustainability seriously.

Bruce Harwood

Occupation: Company director

Resides in: Born and raised in Geelong.

How long in ward: Lived in Kardinia Ward for about 30 years.

Community involvement: COGG Councillor for over 16 years (over 4 years as mayor , 5 years as Deputy Mayor), Member or involved with – Headspace Geelong ,Geelong Bloodbank ,Geelong Environmental Council , Geelong Community Foundation, Friends of the Barwon River , Friends of Waurn Ponds Creek , Geelong Library Corporation , Life Member & current Director of Womens Football at Geelong Amateur Football & Netball Club, Graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors , Cycling Victoria , Old Geelong Collegian Association Board, Deakin Uni Alumni,

Political allegiance?  Always Independent. Nil political allegiance – never been a political party member.

Preferencing? Not known

Campaign budget? Receiving financial support? The campaign budget is always more than I would like. I support my own campaigns.

Most important issues in your ward? Health and well-being of the community (physical and mental health is paramount, community safety) , environmental issues ( climate change ,our rivers , creeks & waterways , sustainable land development , waste management – eliminate rubbish dumping and graffiti, improve and increase open space), community infrastructure (for community and sporting organisations, roads and footpaths) , sustainable development issues (aged care facilities , increased housing density).

Andrew Alexander

Occupation: Lawyer, Teacher and Small Business Owner

Where do you live? Highton

How long have you lived in your ward? Since 2017

What’s your involvement with the community? Previously multicultural ambassador with AFL, human rights lawyer with Refugee Legal, Community Representative with Victorian Multicultural Commission (VNMC); and currently a board member with The Geelong Swimming Club Foundation.

What’s your political allegiance? Member of the Labor Party.

Who will you preference? Discussions are continuing

What’s your campaign budget? Above $5k

Are you receiving financial support? Yes, from friends and supporters. I am not receiving any financial support from the Labor Party.

What are the most important issues in your ward? Creating job opportunities; Youth mental health; Review of how rates are calculated; Business support; Accessible public transport; Better social, road and recreational infrastructure, particularly in the Southern Suburbs; and, Sustainable rubbish and recycling services.

Mark Brunger

Occupation:  Public Service

Where do you live?  Marshall

How long have you lived in your ward? 7.5 years

What’s your involvement with the community? – 25 years with Geelong Supercats/Basketball Geelong/Geelong United.  4 years with Geelong Cricket Association Media Team. Last 2 years serving on the inaugural COGG Heritage Advisory Committee including 1 term as Deputy Chair.

What’s your political allegiance?  I am more Labor in my views but never been a party member.

Who will you preference?  I am leaving that to the voters.  All I ask is that if my message resonates with you, then please vote me number 1 and then your preferences based on how the other candidates appeal to you.

What’s your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial support? No financial support, I am financed by mot own back pocket.

What are the most important issues in your ward? The planned High Street redevelopment, bike lanes. Infrastructure in Marshall/Armstrong Creek area. Helping Kardinia Ward residents and business emerge from COVID safely and strongly.

Jen Gamble

Occupation: Registered nurse

Where do you live? Grovedale

How long have you lived in your ward? Six years

What’s your involvement with the community? I attend Grovedale Baptist Church and volunteer for Sunny Days Rescue and Rehabilitation domestic animal rescue group.  I also volunteer with Wildlife Victoria and Surfcoast Wildlife Rescue and am often out and about in our community rescuing possums, birds, koalas and other native species that have come to grief somehow.  And I am a member of the mighty Cats and will be cheering them to a flag in 2020!

What’s your political allegiance? Animal Justice Party

Who will you preference?  Preferences will go to candidates whose values most mirror those of the Animal Justice Party – kindness, equality, rationality and non-violence.  Environmental sustainability, care for our wildlife and their habitat, and social justice issues for our community will be common themes for anyone who preferences flow to.

What’s your campaign budget? Are you receiving financial support?  The Animal Justice Party is helping me with advertising on social media and leaflets.  Everything else is self-funded.

What are the most important issues in your ward? Green spaces, community services, in particular those related to mental health, domestic animal management and ensuring development is sustainable and appropriate.

Michael Stangel

Occupation: Talent management, music producer

Resides in: Not stated

How long in ward: I have lived in Kardinia Ward for much of my life I was a student of Montpellier Primary School and Belmont High school. I spent 48 years of my 53 years living in Belmont, Highton and Grovedale.

Community involvement: I have been an advocate and ambassador for many charities—mentor to many young artists looking to advance their career in music. Surviving cancer has led me to help many people deal with a terminal diagnosis and help with strategies to deal with the everyday challenges they face. I have been a regular contributor on Bay Fm talking about all things in entertainment and a local performer for the past 40 years.

Political allegiance? I am an Independent with a leaning towards any party who supports small business, mental health and the arts.

Preferencing? I have chosen to preference nobody on the grounds I truly being independent and be able to vote from my views.

Campaign budget? Receiving any financial support: As much as my wife will allow, and we are looking at getting a new car, so not much. No.

Most important issues in your ward: Matching infrastructure with growth. Safe Streets. Ageing precincts.