Hindmarsh Shire Council election candidates

Before moving to Dimboola in 2019, I owned restaurants in Yarraville and Docklands. I understand the importance of creating compelling visitor experiences, offering exceptional customer service that generates positive word-of-mouth, and place-making being paramount for community well-being, connection, and prosperity. All of these elements were distilled to create the Dimboola Imaginarium. I have been proactive in Dimboola and the Wimmera by being a committee member of the Dimboola Town Committee, which is now the Dimboola Progress Association, Dimboola Art Inc., which is responsible for Tower Park, and West Vic Business, which is a chamber of commerce for the Wimmera. I created the Wimmera Steampunk Festival to bring joy back to the community after the COVID-19 lockdowns, and the event got national and international attention. Boosting tourism for the town and region has been my passion. I am enthusiastic about working with Hindmarsh Shire to bring about a new era of prosperity for the region. Creating a desirable lifestyle in the region can attract professionals such as doctors, nurses, and teachers. I am fully committed to this goal.

Dimboola has been my home for twenty years and it has been a great honour, as a councillor the past 12 years, to represent the interests and aspirations of the town and surrounding agricultural district community. I am seeking election because I am passionate about the community at large and believe that I have acquired a wealth of knowledge to fulfil the role since being elected initially in 2012. During my time as a councillor I have participated in various councillor development and training opportunities to expand my knowledge and upskill to ensure I best serve the East Ward at Council. I believe continuity is important and that there is a role for me as an experienced councillor to provide support and mentoring to newly elected councillors. If elected, I will continue to be accessible in the community, and represent your interests by advocating for continuous improvement to both the aesthetics of the town and the infrastructure needs of our district. I will also support tourism opportunities to build on economic benefit for businesses, to further grow our town as a tourism destination and highlight Dimboola as a desirable place to live.

I moved to the Hindmarsh Shire approximately 12 years ago with my wife and 2 young boys, prior to this I owned and ran my own motorcycle business in Gippsland employing up to 10 people at one time for 16 years, as a family we decided to have a tree change, sold the bike shop and brought a grass paddock with an old house in the Hindmarsh shire, The grass paddock now employs 2 people plus my wife and I as we have built it up to be 1 of Luv A Ducks biggest contractors, the house is a bit bigger now and our 2 boys have apprenticeships in their own fields, Over time here we’ve had to engage with lots of local contractors as well as lots of dealing's with the shire. Socially I’ve been involved with the local football/netball club as well as motorcycle club. I like to get things done, communication is a big word for me, as a councillor it would be something I would do, I would listen to your voices and to the best of my ability make sure they’re heard by council while ensuring our rate payers money is spent wisely not wasted.

My Councilor statement As a Councilor to the Hindmarsh Shire. Be able to take all concerns from the local community and be there voice. I'm part of many community groups as a volunteer and working on local projects. I hope to make a difference by helping residents to access council services and driving improvement in my local community. As a Councilor, it is important to me that I feel like I'm able to make a difference, no matter how small.

My community asked me to nominate for Council. I am Elizabeth Chivell, a resident of Jeparit for 15 years and I love Jeparit. I have a passion for my community and will stand strong for all my fellow Jeparadise and North Ward constituents who deserve respect and integrity from their representative as Councillor for North Ward. Jeparit has a uniqueness that is not found anywhere else. It is a river and lake town with beautiful farm land. I am not going to promise you political weasel words about what Council can't do. I want to get things done. I promise to listen to my constituents with integrity, respect and honesty. I promise to present and promote my constituents needs with strength as your Councillor to the Council. I will not promise you the world and give you an atlas. As your Councillor I will be your voice with strength and passion. Hindmarsh Shire Council exists for the benefit of its constituents. Community groups, farmers, businesses, tourism and everyday constituents present and future, are the very foundations of the shire. A vote for me will be a vote for your voices to not just be heard but listened to with respect.

My name is Tony Clark, I have lived and worked in Hindmarsh Shire for over 18 years. If you vote for me I will make it my priority to ensure Hindmarsh Shire continues and grows as an attractive Shire to live, work and play.