A day is a long time in politics

Well residents of Springfield Ward in Whitehorse, you have only one day left to complete your voting in the local council elections.

You should complete your ballot material, following the instructions in the ballot pack, and mail it immediately. It must be in the mail, or hand-delivered to the election office, by 6.00 pm this Friday 21 October.

If you haven't received your ballot pack, head to Redland Drive Mitcham to the VEC office ASAP where you can cast your vote.

I have revised my distribution of preferences based on information about candidates which has become available during the last few days. If you are yet to vote I urge you to consider following this guide. 

Over the past week I have spoken to many Whitehorse residents who are keen for a change; especially those who have been lobbying council for years on issues that should have been resolved long ago. The Knightsbridge Estate community have cause to wonder how council can continue to extend building permits to developers who in 15 years have only managed to create an oddity that seems more like a bomb shelter or tunnel than a housing development. Residents are demanding action. 

GOOD NEWS HERE

Get the good news here at the Mountview Newsagency in Springfield Ward where customers of Mustafa and Susan always get a friendly greeting and great service.I have been visiting this news agency for over 30 years. Mustafa is another wonderful trader in the City of Whitehorse and there is always a friendly smile and a joke exchanged. I appreciate the support they have given me for my campaign.

جامعه ما مهم است  

Our Community Matters 

DON'T FORGET TO VOTE

My postal ballot came in the mail yesterday and I made sure that I completed it carefully ensuring that it  reached the VEC office by delivering it by hand.

If you have not yet received your ballot paper you can ring the VEC office on (03) 8619 1919 and they will assist you with the information that you need. Remember to post your vote early to avoid a fine as voting is compulsory.

You can see how I have directed my preferences below.
VOTE 1 Sharon-Lee Partridge and be sure to number all the boxes.

Here are some useful links to the VEC information
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/WhitehorseElection/
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/EasyEnglishVotingInPostal.html

I also encourage those residents who are over 70+ to use your democratic right and vote because after all, you still pay rates and want a liveable Whitehorse with services to enjoy.

OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE SUPPORT

During this election campaign I have been overwhelmed by the support I have been given by so many people. Friends have organised to prepare dinner for me, knowing that it had to be gluten free so that I could continue a crazy schedule of meetings with residents to hear their hopes for the future of Springfield Ward.

And so many people have approached me to tell me that I have their vote and that they are already aware of what I have been doing for the community. This has been enormously empowering and uplifting especially when the weather has been rather inclement.

Throughout the Ward  I have engaged with so many interesting people and have enjoyed viewing the gorgeous gardens alive with Spring colour. I love making handmade greeting cards featuring photographs of the flowers in my garden or blooms from the parks throughout our suburb.

Last month, some of you may have listened to Wes Fleming on 3AW, during the gardening segment when it was noted that town planners should not forget the importance of gardens and backyards. Wes quoted statistics that revealed that where there were good gardens (city owned) and better private property gardens there were not the health problems that big unit developments experience. And so here is a little gift to you of some of my garden photos for your your enjoyment and good health!

I AM TRUSTING THE RESIDENTS OF WHITEHORSE TO SEE THE TRUTH

Have you considered how your vote is being manipulated this election? Do you understand that although two councillors will be elected, the second preferences are being filtered in  such a way that you may be voting for the person that you don't wish to be your councillor.

If you don't want party politics to be part of your local representation then ask the candidates if they have ever belonged to any political party. I am a genuine independent and not compelled to follow party lines.

Some claims have been made by candidates that they have been responsible for certain developments and initiatives, when they have had the minimum connection to the project. These claims are inaccurate and misleading in the hope that residents have forgotten or not known the full story.

The truth is:

• The Junction Road Parkland was secured by Dee Ryall MP in 2012 when the Liberal Party was in Government.
• The Nunawading Primary School Site Preservation Group campaigned for the acquisition of the former school site for community use. 
• The level crossing removal at Springvale Rd Nunawading was first suggested in the 1950s and subsequent Governments picked it up and put it down. Phil Barresi MP (Liberal) for Deakin worked to achieve the removal before a change of Government in 2007 saw Mike Symon (Labor) finally sign off on the project.

Check the credibility of your candidates.

 

I want a councillor who will speak up for residents. 

I want a councillor who will follow through with my concerns about inappropriate development.

I want a councillor that can advise me how to find the council information and services that I need.

This is the type of councillor that I want and this is why I am standing for council!

  

 

Thank you to all the residents of Springfield Ward that I have met during this election campaign. I appreciate your encouragement and the positive comments about my community work. Your postal votes are now arriving in your mailbox. Hopefully you already have my brochure but here below is my how to vote information you direct preferences. Remember to fill in all the squares with numbers so that your vote counts.

Here are some useful links to the VEC information that voters might need if their ballot papers haven't arrived by 12 October. You can also vote at the temporary VEC office at Redland Drive if you are going to be absent.
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/WhitehorseElection/
https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/Elections/EasyEnglishVotingInPostal.html

I also encourage those residents who are over 70+ to use your democratic right and vote because after all, you still pay rates and want a liveable Whitehorse with services to enjoy.

I encourage all residents to think very carefully about all the candidates running for Council in Springfield Ward. Please consider the credibility of those you choose to elect.

If you have not already posted your ballot paper please consider the following. In the last 24 hrs I have chosen to redirect my 3rd preference to Mike Williams who has been working effectively to represent residents in Thomas St.

He has been accused of altering my flyer for his own benefit but I would like it publicly known that I have actually altered my direction of preferences on the flyers that have been delivered lately due to additional information that I have learnt. I am entitled to do this because the flyers are mine. Mike Williams has been subjected to abuse and insults by phone, at his doorstep and in the street, from bullies who are supporting other candidates. This is the type of intimidation that I have also experienced in previous election campaigns and when on council. Those who perpetrate this behaviour must be taken to task.

For me, the most important thing is representing the residents. Not just getting elected. The manipulation of votes through secret pacts and alliances does not respect the rights of the voter to choose their representative.

If you believe that nothing needs to change, then vote for the same representatives that you have had for four years. But,if you believe that you deserve better representation, question why some feel the need to silence the voices of change.

We all need a hero.

Everyone needs a hero, a role model to look up to. Over the years there have been some very special people whom I have admired for their involvement and commitment to their community. Without them standing up for us we would be the poorer. One such lady was Cr Ann Fraser whom I met 20 years ago. She was a strong advocate for sport and women and served her community well, achieving the respect of many who knew her.   

It was such a great honour to receive my Deakin Award on the same night
that the late Cr. Ann Fraser  was also acknowledged with the top gong.

Here I am receiving the Deakin Award for Service to the Community
presented by Michael Sukkar MP. This acknowledgement
from my community meant so much to me in 2014.

Two other women that have my utmost admiration are Patricia Fincham and Elwynne Kift. They are always generously giving their time to community groups. Their involvement with the Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) and working with people with disabilities is to be commended.I was fortunate enough to be invited to witness the announcement of Patricia's achievement that had been cleverly kept under wraps by Elwynne Kift Secretary of HCAG who made the nomination. 

Patricia Fincham receives her Whitehorse Community Award in 2015

Marg Eklund was a treasured friend for over 20 years. Her inspirational work for the Girl Guides Victoria spanned over 82 years. We miss her terribly. Her daughter Lynne who lives in Brisbane takes my mum out for coffee as I used to take Marg out for coffee to Britannia Mall. We would all get together when we were all in the same State.

I hope to serve my community as faithfully as the inspirational Marg Eklund whose service to Girl Guides spanned 82 years. Marg was a great and caring friend.

A Sporting Chance

An open letter to the members of the Mitcham Football Club.  

Recently I spoke to your junior board regarding the need for more football grounds for juniors in Whitehorse. I have questioned the Springfield Ward Councillors, Ben Stennett and Philip Daw about Council's plans for the Silver Grove site and have been told that Council has no plans for that area. I was told that there are no multi-storey apartments or low income housing planned for that site. Mr Daw suggested that the area might become a shopping area. 

I believe that we have an opportunity to rescue the former Nunawading Football oval and return it to public use for Mitcham Juniors. I seek your assistance in achieving this. Please vote for me at the upcoming election. 

I want to see sporting clubs receive a fair share of the allocated budget, we seem to be the poor relation compared to other wards and nothing has changed in ten years since I was last on council. 

I need your number 1 vote because putting me second will risk watering down the votes through the preferential system. But do fill in the rest of the numbers on the ballot paper. Please vote for the strongest voice to represent you because "our community matters"!

My response to your questions.

Here are my answers to three questions that concerned residents asked of all candidates standing for election in the City of Whitehorse.

1. Do you agree that rate increases should not exceed the increase in the CPI plus a small margin - say 10% of the increase in the CPI, so that rate increases do not exceed the ability of Ratepayers to cover the cost without being forced to cut other essential expenditure?

I would always consider the Ratepayer's household budgets when setting rates.It would be great to keep rates as low as possible because there are pensioners, low income earners, those on fixed incomes and single parent families that are particularly disadvantaged but all residents are affected. The difficulty is not knowing what the CPI will be each quarter or year and not knowing if certain trade movements might skew the CPI to misrepresent actual inflation.
When I was in Council, I voted against the 2003, 2004 and 2005 budget increases which I felt were unjust and excessive.

2. Will you vote for or against the proposal to spend upwards of $78 million of Ratepayers' funds on constructing a new Whitehorse Centre?

A LITTLE HISTORY.
Let me take you back 30 years ago when the building called the Nunawading Arts Centre came into being. I was there on the day when the first sod of soil was turned. When the Arts Centre as it was known opened in 1987 it was run by community groups and volunteers.
Jean Abbott ran the Nunawading Market for over 20 years and I helped by relieving her during holidays and then when she retired I became the convenor. The money raised from stall rental went towards purchases for the Arts Centre. The impressive velvet curtains that graced the stage were one such item, as well as Scholarships for Performing Arts students to study overseas. These Scholarships were named after former mayor Dick Lack who brought together the Mitcham Arts Association, Mitcham Repertory Group, Blackburn Film Society, Utassy Ballet and Nunawading Musical Society to form a Festival of Arts.
The original plan was for the Centre to be built nearer to the Council Offices and closer to Whitehorse Road. But as the land had previously been a landfill site, the centre had to be situated further north and not on such a slope.
In 1995 when Nunawading City and Box Hill councils were amalgamated the Council took over the administration of the theatre complex and employed professional staff. This meant that community groups that hired the centre were no longer permitted to sell refreshments as they had previously done to earn money for their school or club or organisation.

FAST FORWARD TO 2016 The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) of 1995 and the Disability Discrimination Act Amendment of 2009 were not around when the Arts Centre was built. The current building is no longer compliant with today’s legislation and for that reason, renovation and remodelling is necessary. Those involved with theatre productions are acutely aware of the limitations of the facility. If you go into the basement you would see that there is not enough storage for the costumes, it is very cramped for performers with not enough head height. The orchestra pit is in the same situation with the fly over not suitable for modern productions. There is insufficient room to build and paint sets and backdrops. Often they need to be cut in half to move into place. These issues need to be addressed.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
What has council considered?
· Spending $78 million to build a completely new centre?

· Erecting a multi-deck car park?

· Tearing down the existing centre?

· Maintaining only the essential functionality of the building?

Residents were not given detailed information about the cost of all these options. Residents were only shown one building option as a fait accompli.
What disturbs me is that the tendering process seems to always be more expensive for Councils and Governments. E.g. let’s make a fast buck from the public purse. Residents feel that their rates are being collected but they are not receiving value for money.

3. Do you agree that new building developments should provide at least the minimum number of parking spaces recommended by State planning authorities, rather than less or even no parking spaces as allowed by this City at the present time?

Yes. Car spaces are needed to get the cars off the streets. It is essential to tackle the State legislation to solve this problem. I believe in having adequate parking spaces for new building developments. I disagree with the idea that car parking spots are not needed for student accommodation. This is based on the misconception that they don't drive cars or can't afford cars because they are students.

Residents want action on removal of asbestos

This sad little house hidden behind the overgrown vegetation is a cause for concern to the residents of the Heatherdale Road community. The deceased estate was sold to a developer around March 2016 . Residents are anxious about the forthcoming demolition because of the amount of asbestos contained at the site.

For this reason Work Safe has now become involved and instructed the developer to remove the material through an accredited asbestos removal company. Work Safe and residents must be notified by the developer three days prior to the demolition.

There have already been problems at the unoccupied house where squatters broke in and ran an extension lead to a neighbour's property to steal power. The police have been called a number of times to the house to deal with criminal activity.

The Heatherdale Community Action Group is taking an interest in how things proceed at this address to protect the residents of the area.  

Aboriginal Cultural Day 20 September 2016 at Blackburn Lake

What a great day this was on 20 September. The weather was kind to us and there were so many wonderful aspects of indigenous culture to experience. Here I am with John Baxter the Convenor of our Whitehorse Friends For Reconciliation Group. Much planning went into the organisation of the day. Cassie Leathman should be congratulated for her presentation of bush tucker and indigenous craft pictured below and Turtles Australia also contributed to the day by bringing along some very curious long necked characters to educate us about our native species.

Gathered at the Yarning Circle, visitors enjoyed the music from the Mullum Mullum Choir and learnt about the significance of the indigenous flags and ceremonies. The "Barramundi Man" Colin, cooked beautiful steamed fish in the traditional way. We also thank the Land Rover Club for their help with the BBQ and provision of sausages.

 

       

   

NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY 29/09/2016

Police from across the country will gather and unite today to pay tribute to their colleagues who have been tragically killed in the line of duty. We remember their sacrifice and acknowledge the debt that we owe them. To all police currently serving, we thank you for keeping us safe, upholding our laws and protecting our way of life.

Homeless not hopeless thanks to HCAG

The Homelessness forum, hosted last Wednesday by Heatherdale Community Action Group, (HCAG), has drawn much praise from the wider community. The opportunity for open discussion with questions from the floor gave the attentive audience the chance to better understand the complexities surrounding the issue of homelessness. Assumptions about homeless people are often far from reality and the testimony of one individual who has lived through the experience gave the audience a very powerful message of hope.

Guest speakers were former Melburnian of the Year (2013), Major Brendan Nottle from the  Salvation Army, Janene Evans, Manager of Crisis and Homelessness Services at Wesley Mission and Aaron Jones Manager of   NEAMI (Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing) Blackburn.

Major Brendan Nottle of the Salvation Army addresses the audience.

Janene Evans from Wesley Mission answers a question from the floor as our diligent Secretary Elwynne Kift takes notes. Many thanks to Michael Sukkar, Member for Deakin who chaired the forum.

It is an honour serving as Vice-President of HCAG with  President Steve Roberts

Rob Olifiers keeps on trekking.

I had the pleasure to meet this amazing man, Rob Olifiers, at Taralye's Market Day in August. Along with his colleagues, Rob was there to promote the work of the SES. Rob and I have a lot in common as we both know the courts, lanes and streets of Whitehorse like the back of our hand. For me, as a candidate for Council, it has been in my bid to get to know the people that I want to represent. Rob has covered every inch of Whitehorse in his bid for fitness and to gain a better knowledge of the streets that he may be called out to in an emergency. He has become famous as the "Walking man" of Whitehorse. The dedication of volunteers such as Rob and the community spirit of organisations such as the SES contribute so much to our city. If you are interested in becoming an SES volunteer contact the SES at this link.

http://www.whitehorseses.org.au

Here is a link to the article that was featured in the Herald Sun last year.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/ses-volunteer-rob-olifiers-walks-every-street-in-the-city-of-whitehorse/news-story/1739bdb8e671cfb9c3d408747f82e755

and here in our Whitehorse Leader

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/east/whitehorse-ses-looking-for-day-time-volunteers/news-story/0024c254f9b93ccebce7de26fb0a0e98

WHY AM I STANDING FOR COUNCIL?

WHY AM I STANDING FOR COUNCIL?
This is the question that many people are asking me. So I thought that I should explain why.
I believe careful city planning is essential. We shouldn’t settle for mediocrity.
Overdevelopment of certain areas has brought problems with traffic and parking. Congested living impinges on the rights of people to privacy. Many residents have spoken to me about these matters and asked for advice. Residents need a voice on Council that is in touch with their concerns. I don’t claim to have all the answers but there must be a better way to deal with planning legislation.
I applaud developers who have a vision for construction that is sympathetic to the aesthetics of an area. I acknowledge the builders, project managers and construction engineers that come to the planning forums and meet with the residents who may be affected by their developments. When there is dialogue and open discussion often simple solutions can be found.

Schwerkolt Cottage Heritage Family Day. 11 September

Yesterday the weather was kind to those who attended the celebrations at this local treasure adjoining the beautiful Yarran Dheran parkland. 

Families enjoyed exploring the historical cottage and participating in the organised activities.  The local Rotary Group cooked sausages to satisfy everyone's hunger and the atmosphere made for an enjoyable day spent with friends and neighbours.

The history of the cottage is fascinating and you can find out more at this link to the Council site.
http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/schwerkolt-cottage.html