Wellington Shire Council election candidates

Born and raised in Wellington Shire, my interests have always been in helping to develop the prosperity and welfare of our community. With my three terms as Mayor, and twice Chair of the Gippsland Local Government Network, I have acquired a great depth of knowledge enabling me to better serve the Wellington community. I have learned much from the people I have worked with in Council, but my greatest experience has come from my engagement with our wonderful local community including school and TAFE boards, bowls clubs, the committee for Wellington and Rotary. Simply listening carefully to constituents concerns and ambitions has empowered me to bring common sense to council. I have had a really diverse professional and tertiary education while keeping up my trade qualification as an Electrician. My experience in running a successful business provides me with a track record that underpins work as a Central Ward Councilor. I will always put the Wellington community first through listening, hard work and passion. I hope to be able to continue this work if elected.

Having lived in Wellington Shire my entire life, I’m deeply committed to improving prosperity and creating more opportunities for our community. As your council representative, I will be a voice of reason and restraint, ensuring ratepayers’ money is spent wisely. Council funds belong to ratepayers, not the council. I will push for transparency and community engagement, ensuring residents are fully informed and supportive of the costs behind all projects and activities. The people of Wellington Shire deserve value for money. I’m not afraid to say no to frivolous spending or cut wasteful programs. Businesses are the lifeblood of our community and provide jobs and opportunities. As a part of a local family business - I have known first-hand the difficulties and importance of small business and I will support local businesses and the need to cut unnecessary red tape. I am endorsed by the Libertarian Party; I advocate for less government interference, Lower rates and more personal choice. If elected I will work with the other elected councillors to create a Wellington Shire that current and future generations can be proud of.

As a lifelong resident of Sale, I have a deep passion for our community. I offer a blend of experience, commitment, and an understanding of our region’s needs. I have spent my entire life in Sale and my husband, Matt and I have been fortunate and proud to raise our children in the Wellington Shire. I have 25 years as a Primary School teacher, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of quality education. My love for this area runs deep, and I am committed to preserving and enhancing it for future generations. As co-owners of a small business in Sale, my husband and I employ locals and provide apprenticeships, supporting young people’s career development. I believe small businesses are vital for our community’s vibrancy and economic health. I’m also dedicated to boosting local tourism and capturing the essence of "The Middle Of Everywhere." My involvement in committees, volunteering, and supporting community organisations reflects my commitment to making a difference. I will be a dedicated advocate for the Wellington Shire, enhancing and building on our community successes.

I have lived in the Wellington Shire for 28 years. I love giving back to the community by being involved with boards and committees within local business and sporting communities which has given me valuable knowledge and experience in the workings of the Wellington Shire. I am happily married to my wife Susie and have 3 wonderful children Josh , Ryan and Jessika . We owned and operated JSM Embroidery ,Workwear and Safety in Sale for 13 years just recently selling this business so I understand how important small business is to the Wellington Shire and our future generations. I have also been heavily involved in the sporting community throughout the Wellington Shire and will continue to support all sporting activity growth for all our families health and wellbeing .With the change in various industries and the new possibilities of the renewable energy jobs in the Gippsland region we need to focus on creating new jobs locally in the Wellington Shire which will be a strong focus. If elected I will use all my experience to help our Shire grow and prosper for our future generations to enjoy.

I am a born and bred local, with wide experience across Gippsland in private and public enterprises. I have been active in my community for many years and committed to our wellbeing and prosperity,

My name is Garry Stephens and I have been a Councillor for the Coastal Ward since 2016. It has been a privilege to be an advocate for the community during that time. I have made hundreds of representations on behalf of the community and I am pleased to say that I have a 70 percent success rate in getting a positive outcome. I am proud of the support I have given to the warmer pool for Yarram project, Great Southern Rail Trail extension, special charge schemes for road works amongst other projects. I am also very proud of my record of community involvement in a number of different organisations. I would appreciate your support at the 2024 council election. I look forward to the opportunity to represent you on Council during the next Council term.

I am a mother of four adult daughters, a qualified high-school teacher and a resident of Rosedale, currently serving as the chairman of the committee for the Rosedale Neighbourhood House. I believe that this is the time for us to come together as a community, to look after each other and make sure our area is as clean, as effective and as efficient as we can make it. We need this to be a place for us all to be proud of, and proud to come from. In the many years I have spent teaching across multiple states in Australia, following my husband on his erstwhile military adventures, whilst raising our four daughters, I have gained great insights into the similarities that all Australians share, but also the value that each individual corner of our great country contributes to the whole. Wellington is a fantastic part of Australia that I would be proud to serve.

Representing our community requires dedication and passion, and I’m ready to offer both as your next councillor. If elected, I will bring an informed voice to the Council, focusing on nurturing community connections, protecting our natural environment, and planning for our future. As a long-time resident with experience living and working in Sale, Maffra and now Longford, I have a strong connection to our area. I’m committed to bringing a fresh perspective to our council. I will listen to and understand the needs of residents and make decisions that are in the community's best interest. With more than 10 years experience as a secondary school teacher and through my current role as a speech therapy assistant, I’ve developed strong skills in listening, understanding, and supporting individuals and families. This background has given me valuable insights into the diverse needs of those who live in the Wellington Shire. I've spent over a decade volunteering with local community groups, showing my strong commitment to serving our area. This involvement has given me a clear sense of what matters most and what’s needed for our community to thrive. I’m ready to represent our community with compassion and integrity. Vote 1 – Cindy Madeley.

My name is Marcus McKenzie & I'm excited to be running again as a candidate in the upcoming Council elections for the expanded Coastal Ward. With over 30 years of experience in Senior Management & consultancy, I’ve successfully assisted Australian corporations in establishing operations locally and overseas. Currently, I serve as the Chairperson of the Small Business Mentoring Service & own guest accommodation in Port Albert. My wife, Cherrie along with our family, are proud to call Gippsland home. The last four years have brought significant changes, from the challenges of COVID to the exciting development of Wellington as Australia’s first renewable energy zone for offshore wind projects. I'm committed to advocating for key initiatives, such as making domestic & gender-based violence a priority, developing youth programs & supporting our farmers by benchmarking farm rates. I will prioritize council capital expenditure, revitalize our towns & ensure all renewable projects engage with the community. My focus will be on transparency in council decisions & working towards affordable housing grants. The next four years will be crucial for Wellington & I'm passionate about leading our community through these opportunities & challenges.

My wife and I live on remote rural acreage in Carrajung, where we live totally offgrid. I am a local Committee member, an active volunteer in my diverse community doing fundraising for the Carrajung community hall and representing my community in many public events. I have a particular interest in the needs of rural and remote residents in the Shire. I have a Bachelor of Business in Government and Administrative Management. My lengthy senior management experience in the ageing and disability sector has assisted me, as a strategic decision maker, to resolve complex issues. My experience, while working in a team environment, has led to the making of equitable decisions which have formed policy that has benefitted the wider community. During my entire working life, I have undertaken a wide variety of roles, including transport and logistics, real estate, auctioneering and paralegal roles. I am well organised, ethical and accountable, and a good listener who uses wide community engagement to ascertain issues that need investigation and resolution. My election as Councillor will allow me to effectively communicate community needs to Council and seek to resolve issues. Please help me to do this by voting for me on 26 October.

My name is Edward Lowe, and I am excited to announce my nomination for the upcoming council election. With a passion for farming, shooting, fishing, football, cricket, camping, and golf, I bring a diverse set of interests to the table. As a 35 year old electrician, father of two, and lifelong resident of Gippsland, I am deeply invested in our community. I am a passionate and dedicated individual with a strong work ethic. I take pride in standing up for rights and advocating for fairness and justice. I am committed to improving community safety for our children and lowering council rates and other expenses to ease the cost of living for our constituents. In addition, reducing local government regulations, promoting community involvement, and aspiring to grow into a leadership role are key priorities for me. With your support, I aim to contribute to the betterment of our community. If you feel I would be a suitable candidate for the Wellington Shire council please vote 1 for me, and 2 for candidate Cameron Jamie Hogan.

When choosing an ideal place to live, we seek clean air, clean water, fresh organic food, excellent health services, and quality schools. Can local government influence these elements? Absolutely. We are fortunate to enjoy clean air. Our local government can ensure it remains so, by making environmentally conscious decisions. To improve water quality, programs for the installation of purification systems in all kitchens, could be undertaken with Gippsland Water to ensure high-quality water for all residents. Despite living in a food-growing district, much of our food is imported and mass-produced. Local government can establish twice-weekly local markets, offering fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood, and locally produced goods like cheese. This initiative would provide affordable, high-quality food and support small-scale local food production businesses. To attract high-quality health professionals and their families, local government must promote a high quality of life, including access to excellent schools. Establishing the Wellington Education Nexus can help achieve this by setting educational performance targets, and developing strategies for schools, drawing on the expertise of local educators. Local government goes beyond important services like 'rates, roads, and rubbish'. If elected to Wellington Shire Council, I'll work with fellow councillors to optimize the benefits provided to our community.

Carmel is retired, lives in Stratford and is a serving councillor. You'll see Carmel at many community events, she is approachable, shops locally and invites you to engage with her. Carmel is generous with her time and listens to people's concerns because of her unwavering belief that engagement with all sectors of the community is vital, be you a farmer, business owner, mum or dad, retired or going to school here. To properly reflect people's needs she voices your concerns to council. Tell Carmel and she will take your message to council. No matter where you live - town or country, Carmel vows to continue lobbying Council to provide community space for all. She believes while Council physically provides recreation reserves, halls, tennis courts and the like, it's the people who make the spaces work, and our volunteers should be saluted and celebrated. Carmel will continue to lobby for upgrades to council infrastructure. She appreciates simple things - such as physical access - make a huge difference, empowering people of all abilities to grow and prosper. Everyone deserves input into making Wellington great. Carmel understands public money must attract premium results, and in a transparent manner fitting of our community.

Kevin has spent most of his working life as a member of the ADF, including 9 years RAN and 34 years RAAF, the last 30 years as an Air Traffic Controller and most of that time as a resident of Wellington Shire. In between services he was a member of 3 wintering Expeditions to Antarctica. He retired in 2018 but still serves occasionally as a reservist. He has always made the wider community as big a part of his life as the RAAF community, and given his spare time to various organisations including: Neighbourhood Watch, the Maffra FNC, past President and currently VP of the Maffra RSL Sub-branch, President of the ANARE Ski Club at Mt Baw Baw, on the Maffra Recreation Reserve Committee, the Maffra Lawn Tennis Club. His two adult daughters have grown up in the Shire, one still living locally. He chooses Wellington Shire as his home, it has a wonderful climate, fantastic facilities and most of all a community of people willing to volunteer to make the most of our natural attributes. He has time on his hands now and would like to learn and contribute in a greater role in the advancement of our Shire.

I believe the North Ward needs strong voice on Council. If elected I will work with Council improve services for the North Ward. Council should focus on delivery of key services looking for opportunities to enhance our areas to ensure our towns remain great places to grow live work and visit. Council has an important role to engage with State and Federal governments to ensure everyone has access to great education, health and community services. I will seek Council continue to support and advocate for existing and new business investment and industries across our region. I will seek increased hours and longer pool seasons for Maffra Heyfield and Stratford pools. I will support increased investment in our paths, streets, community and recreational facilities. Our volunteers are being asked to do more with less. They need more Council support to continue to maintain our facilities to the standard expected. My wife Sue and I have lived in the area all our lives. My family has always been heavily involved as volunteers in the community. I would welcome the opportunity to again serve as North Ward Councilor. Please feel free contact me to discuss my Council nomination prior to voting.

I am Cameron "Jamie" Hogan. I live in Stratford. and have children and grandchildren living, working and schooling in the Northern Ward. I will fight for remote communities, upgrades to the forgotten roads, Ward disaster plans for fires, floods and droughts with council funded teams partnering with local emergency services, affordable spaces for community groups, timber industry workers, reduction in rates for communities and farmers affected by disasters, and toilets for young people at Skate Parks. I am extremely passionate regarding services for people with mental illness and young people. In 2019 I was awarded Life Membership of the Sale Neighborhood House and I am a full member and serve as National Treasurer of Youth Workers Australia. Holding membership of various professional bodies, I initially trained in Youth Work. I have served as a local government Councilor and Officer. During Ash Wednesday I served as a young front-line fire fighter. I am passionate about local football and restoring classic cars. With forty years’ of community passion, I will ensure the three R’s of local government, "Roads, Rates and Rubbish. I will make your concerns my concern and ask for your vote. Vote 1 Cameron "Jamie" Hogan Vote 2 Edward Lowe