Wangaratta Rural City Council election candidates

As a previous councillor and deputy mayor I'm excited to run again. As a CEO and having worked in different environments including manufacturing and the not profit sector including NDIS, I bring strong skills including commercial and business management and professionalism and am confident that I can assist in building a stronger municipality. As your representative, my commitment to you is that I will work diligently to create new opportunities, job security and business growth positioning the Rural City of Wangaratta as a leading Regional Centre. Having grown up and lived in Wangaratta all of my life, I understand the challenges that our municipality faces. I want to ensure that decisions made support increased growth of business & manufacturing, tourism & agriculture to secure local jobs and build a strong economy. Vote 1 Mark Currie and support me to drive change, transparent decision making, financial accountability and equality of Council spending between the urban and rural communities.

I Tania Maxwell stand as a candidate in the 2024 Rural City of Wangaratta election. My previous role as a member of the Victorian State Parliament between 2018 - 2022 provided me with knowledge relating to governance, policy and legislation. All of which are imperative in understanding the diverse roles required under local government. My reason for nominating is to engage with and share my passion for community, to listen to the needs of businesses and organisations and to support an LGA which can expand and create a safe and sustainable future for all. I hold any elected position with an open and transparent approach and my goals, if elected are to work with other councillors to expand on the previous work of council and to bring new ideas and concepts to respond to the demands of our growing city. My interests are ensuring young families are supported with adequate access to education, reducing family violence and advocating for community safety. I am interested in continuing to implement strategies to secure improvements to climate change. I believe that we as humans deserve to be treated with respect irrespective of our gender, religion or personal preferences and beliefs in life.

Hello. I am Dave Fuller and honoured to have been elected since 2016. This election I am seeking your confidence, to consolidate eight years of continued involvement, and contribution to strategic growth in our terrific municipality. In 2024, one of my focus areas is constructive continuity, aiming to ensure discussions help with the completion of projects underway and to maintain stability. Secondly aiming to have positive conversations with constituents about the progress of our community’s future, in particular what are relevant and important priorities. If I am fortunate to be a part of this council, potential aims of the collective will require refreshed consideration of reduced finances and stretched resources. It’s time to enhance the focus on core duties, evolving governance and basic tasks to ensure our municipality runs well. Whilst I am nominating in Bullawah, I look to represent all of Wangaratta from Cheshunt to Peechelba, through to Eldorado and all in between. We are, mostly, fortunate in the Rural City of Wangaratta in many ways. Where able, I look forward to being able to lead further development of actions and opportunities that assist fair and equitable access for all constituents across the breadth of council's services. Thank you.

At 87 it is a major decision for me to nominate for council. I read all supplied literature and cannot see that my personal commitments will prevent me from being a very effective councillor. I wish to initiate some culture changes in the administration of Rural City of Wangaratta. I wish to have Wangaratta CBD and its environs return to the vibrant shopping centre and industrial workplace it once was. I am looking to. Major clean of our street’s and gutters. Free parking with enforced times no parking meters. Increased number of parking spaces. Street designee decisions made by councillors e.g. revert Maloney’s Arcade to mixed use. No large garbage trucks in residential streets, find a more user-friendly garbage collection system, at reduced cost. I want rubbish collection to be optional by text for pick up. Customer service is not a bureaucratic exercise. I will promptly answer every question sent to me by a RCOW resident. Elect me Brian Fox to; make Wangaratta great again.

I have been a resident of the Ovens Ward with my husband and two daughters, since moving to our farm in July 2019. I am actively involved with my local community as a volunteer with Boorhaman CFA, Boorhaman Landcare, the Boorhaman Recreation Reserve Committee of Management and as a member of the parents and friends committee at the school where my girls attend. I am a farmer with an established career in town planning and emergency management. I have worked in both state and local government and consequently have knowledge of what each tier of government is responsible for and can achieve. I have a strong knowledge of good governance and ensuring that decision making is considered, transparent and community focused. As your candidate, I am committed to speaking up for positive outcomes for our community at a local level, while strongly advocating on the community’s behalf on issues that the State government is responsible for. I am standing as your candidate as I am passionate about ensuring that Council is accountable, engages in meaningful conversations with our residents and ensuring that decision making is community focused, considering of the current and future needs of our urban and rural communities.

To introduce myself I have lived most of my life in the Springhurst area farming, until recently moving to Wangaratta. I have been the Councilor for the North ward RCOW for the past eight years serving as Deputy Mayor twice, prior to that spent 13 years as a councilor on the former Shire of Wangaratta Serving as President for a term. I currently hold the portfolios of Emergency, Sport and Recreation and Agriculture. As chairman of the former RCOW Livestock Sale yards committee I was heavily involved in the upgrade of the Wangaratta Livestock Exchange. In the past eight years I have advocated and got the budget of unsealed road from 400k in 2016 to 1.8 million at present and endeavoring to increase that figure, the upgrade of the Everton and Whorouly Courts I have supported. I have strongly advocated for the rural section of the RCOW. I have put in place community contacts in townships to endeavor to keep them engaged. As pressure keeps being put on LG to do more than the traditional services that LG provide, the pressure to support for those traditional services becomes an issue, the need for strong experience representation is a necessity.

As a young journalist, I attended my first council meeting more than 40 years ago. Since then I have reported on many more council meetings, including the Rural City of Wangaratta. Now, after working in the corporate world, running my own small businesses in Whorouly, raising my family, supporting local initiatives and organisations, and listening to neighbours, I want to utilise my life skills, build on my community service, and have an active and considered voice on council. My experience, my ability to analyse information and to focus on solutions, will bring a new perspective to the council team and I am eager to pursue issues that are vital to the prosperity and satisfaction of our communities. In particular, advocating for small rural businesses and those that feel overlooked by Local Government, with a big part being effective communication, and back to basics with services and support. I want to build on the work of the incumbent council in attracting businesses, industries, tourists and residents, all of which benefit the Rural City of Wangaratta as a whole. But I also want to ensure the needs of smaller communities and rural residents are considered, to guarantee a strong and sustainable future.

I am passionate about the legacy we want to achieve for our families, community, and the next generation. I am standing for a third term as your local representative, to ensure stability, good governance and diverse representation at our council table. We need a council that balances experience, is responsive to our community needs, demonstrates adaptability, and embraces change. Local Government is the level of government that we can influence this change. I know good governance is built by acknowledging our community feedback, keeping an open mind when making decisions, and having a strong leadership team. Being an effective Councilor requires more than passion and the desire to make changes. It takes a clear understanding of how our council operates. Over the last 7 years, I have gained this understanding and experience. During my terms on council, I have advocated for growth, diversity and inclusion. I will continue to pursue the Wareena Park Masterplan to ensure we have a safe place for all community generations to come together. I have the vision, commitment and experience to continue steering our community to a better future with your support. Vote 1 Ashlee Fitzpatrick

My Name is Peter Siperki and i am lodging my application for Councilor for the Wareena ward in the Rural City of Wangaratta council elections 2024. i consider myself a local living in Wangaratta and Oxley since 2005 and being immersed in all aspects of local life. my goals for Wangaratta will be sports and outdoors, positive engagement for business growth and development, increasing investment to Wangaratta as a destination for activities, facilities and a hub that families will continue to aspire to calling Wangaratta home. i am married with 3 children and my extensive background in IT, Hospitality and Local government gives me a great foundation to assist and promote Wangaratta with a passion i feel will benefit all. I look forward to being a long standing councilor and have a great amount of drive, give and passion to the role. Thankyou.

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the Wareena Ward in Rural City of Wangaratta As someone who was born and spent much of my life in this vibrant community., I am now ready to give back and serve the people who make our region so special. With extensive experience working in the health and fitness industry, both nationally and internationally, I have connected with individuals from diverse backgrounds. This, combined with my deep community roots, gives me a unique understanding of the challenges and aspirations of Wangaratta’s residents. My four children were raised, educated here and are actively engaged in local sports, which has allowed me to form meaningful relationships across various sectors of our community.My longstanding involvement with RCOW Sport Recreation Committee reflects my passion for promoting wellbeing for all. As a small business owner, I understand the vital role that local enterprises play in our economy .I am committed to advocating for their growth and success, ,ensuring they have the support needed to thrive, creating pathway opportunities for our young people. My campaign is grounded in the principles of open communication, transparency and respect. I look forward to earning your trust and support in this journey.

Vote #1 Allison Winters, Independent Candidate for Yarrunga. I'm a nurse, parent, founder of a local charity, and I volunteer at breakfast club at our local primary school. I've lived in Wangaratta for 7 years, and our family love living in Yarrunga. I've spent decades helping people from all walks of life and I am excited to be the voice in Council for Yarrunga Ward. I know residents are frustrated with Council and feel like they are not being heard. I want to change that. I will advocate for clear and open communication about why decisions are being made. I also want to make sure the Council budget, and rates, are meeting community needs and directly improving our services, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis. As your Candidate I have already heard from community members about their need for improved footpaths, better road maintenance, to feel safer, and improved community facilities. My vision is for a vibrant and connected community and with your support, I am confident that we can build a brighter future for everyone in the Rural City of Wangaratta. For more information about me, please visit www.allisonwinters.com.au. Vote #1 Allison Winters.

Our Council needs positive leadership and practical, common-sense decision-making that avoids wasteful spending and short-sightedness. I believe it's time for a "back to basics" approach, focusing on essential services like road maintenance and the everyday issues that truly impact our community. It's crucial to listen to residents, rather than make assumptions about what people want. With my strong business background, I understand how Council operates and the strategic lobbying needed to turn ideas into action. Since 2018, I've attended most Council meetings, sparked by my involvement in the Save Yarrunga Pool campaign. I’m proud to be involved in Yarrunga community, where my three sons attended school, and where I’ve run my strata business for over a decade. My experience serving on committees, engaging in community groups, and sitting on boards has prepared me to be an effective Councillor. I have the energy, enthusiasm, and dedication to represent our community with integrity and commitment. I need your vote to make the Rural City of Wangaratta a better place—both for today and for future generations. Vote 1, Anne Dunstan

Hello. My name is Joanne. I was born and grew up in Wangaratta. After my schooling, I moved to Melbourne to complete a Degree in Nuclear Medicine. I am a qualified Nuclear Medicine Technologist and have been for 28 years. I love living in Wangaratta, a beautiful town, with a wonderful sense of love and community. My aim, should my campaign be successful, is to reinstate and upgrade community services, expand aged care services, focus on attracting new businesses and festivals to Wangaratta, supporting small and local businesses, ensuring even and just distribution of council funds to a wide variety of community groups and activities. I would use my platform on council to also campaign to State and Federal MPs the need for a complete overhaul of the NEHW Health System, including a new Wangaratta Hospital (at a different location to the current one), a new emergency department, dedicated car park and turn the existing hospital into a state of the art Aged Care Facility and Primary Care Centre. I would also push for funding so that all public spaces and community groups would have the opportunity to purchase and instal defibrillator machines.

Our rates are too high, and council is too keen to spend money. I am running to cap rate rises and stop wasting money. I will vote against rate increases, and support better efficiency. I am a successful leader with my own medical clinic in Yarrunga. I was previously a soldier and then an officer in the Australian Army, so I have worked in the public and private sectors. I will bring this leadership to my role as a councillor. I’ll go through the budget, cutting wasteful spending. I will never vote for higher expenditure. I will support local businesses and encourage development because development brings jobs. I will push for transparency to inform you about council's decisions. I will always listen to you, the ratepayers, and respect your wishes. I’m endorsed by the Libertarians, because I believe council needs to get back to basics, but I’ll always be independent for Yarrunga ratepayers. I will make sure you have enough water, good drainage and better roads. I’m running to cut waste and save our money. Vote for me if you want value for money from our council. Lower Rates. Smarter Spending. Greater Transparency.