PITCHING IN FOR ROTARY

Metro Rail were keeping the customers satisfied in January during the temporary closure of the Blackburn and Heatherdale stations due to the removal of the boom gates and lowering of the line.
Forest Hill Rotary were asked to cook for the commuters on the replacement buses and travellers were treated to free sausages and veggie burgers. This raised money for Rotary Forest Hill providing some compensation for being unable to run the regular Blackburn Market during the construction time.

Dee Ryall MP and I volunteered our time as they were short of members and we received a lovely acknowledgement for our efforts in the Rotary Forest Hill newsletter that you can read below. We both worked hard alongside these other amazing people but enjoyed the friendship and fun and it felt great to see the smiles on the faces of everyone.

Barbara Williams ,Dee Ryall and Sharon Partridge prepare to feed the multitudes.

RINGWOOD STATION BBQ 25 JANUARY 2017
.... Metro Rail were very pleased with our Ringwood Station BBQ where we gave out 800 cooked sausages and 100 vegie burgers in just under 2 hours after the first lot were ready. That’s nearly 8 items per minute we cooked and gave out. No wonder we were tired! We worked like a well- oiled machine (and maybe smelt like one at the end?) Thanks to all our hard workers, John Mc, Bob L, Ray, Stuart, Bill, Barbara and Bob W along with Dee Ryall MP and Sharon Partridge WFHF (Wonderful Forest Hill Friend) from Mitcham Rotary club who both volunteered to help us and we certainly needed their support. Two of my grandchildren, Indigo and Ryan also helped out, both with packing the 6 car fridges at my place and then initially helping to get the goodies out to the hungry Ringwood travellers, until their mum could come and collect them. Sara had organised five people from Metro Rail to also help. Additional to the $500 Metro Rail will donate to us as well as funding all our costs, we also raised nearly $200 in donations from grateful sausage and vegie burger- eating travellers so this helps to offset a little of our much lower Blackburn Station market income over much of last year, due to the rail works there. Our next Metro Rail engagement is the 1st February at Blackburn station when our vegie burger cooking will be upped to 200, plus the 800 sausages, 55 loaves of bread and 10kg of onions.

The Forest Hill guys cooking up a storm.

Whitehorse Council Australia Day Award

I have been busy over the holiday break catching up with family and friends and I have tried to get around to personally thank all the people who helped me in October by walking out flyers, putting up my campaign posters in their shops and having my signs in their gardens. I sincerely thank you all for the support and encouragement. Although I wasn't successful in being elected to serve my community as a councillor, I am still committed to being active in our community.

I am so proud of the Heatherdale Community Action Group (HCAG) of which I am a founding member. On Australia Day 2017 our group was recognised by the City of Whitehorse and presented with a plaque.

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!