The Weekly Advertiser invited all 12 candidates to provide profiles ahead of the local government elections. 

Three candidates Rob Armstrong, Luke Preston,  and Peter Joyce did not submit information.

Candidates were emailed a questionnaire to fill out, with a 200-word limit, and supply a photo. Some candidates chose to answer the questions specifically while others submitted their candidate statements.

The questions were:

Name:

Municipality/ ward:

Occupation:

Please provide a brief background in the context of why you would make a good councillor? (Suggestions: involvement in community groups/ family ties/ professional skills or qualifications)

Have you stood for/ been on council before? If so, outline details of when?

Please outline your reasons for nominating for council?

Do you have any particular platforms that you are standing for?

Why should people vote for you?

How can voters contact you for more information?

The Weekly Advertiser will continue to publish profiles of candidates in other councils across the region.

Next week, Hindmarsh and Northern Grampians will be featured, followed by West Wimmera and Yarriambiack candidates.

 

Amanda Mead

Occupation: Publican

Please provide a brief background in the context of why you would make a good councillor: As a business owner I know what it takes to build something from nothing. I know that transparency and being held accountable for my actions on all matters is paramount. As a publican I see day to day the struggles and real issues that people are facing and something has to change.

Have you stood for/ been on council before? If so, outline details of when? No

Outline your reasons for nominating for council: I am running to get back to basics. Roads, Rates and Rubbish. Council members should be advocates for their are municipality, not activists for the leftist propaganda.

Do you have any particular platforms that you are standing for?

Getting back to basics. We need a strong foundation to build a better future.

Why should people vote for you?

To see change, it’s time to vote differently. I will not be bullied or make deals. I will be as public and transparent as possible and call out crap when it’s happening. I am not running to make friends or be liked, I am simply running to get a job done.

How can voters contact you for more information? Email Amanda.l.mead85@gmail.com

 

Bill Waterson

 

 I have been married to Rhonda for 43 years with two children Tahnee and Jayden and two amazing grandchildren Bill and Indra. 

Having been an Ararat resident for 68 years. I have nominated again having enjoyed and learnt so much from my previous four years. I feel that there is so much unfinished business to be done. 

Our previous council being so proactive and forward-thinking in my opinion has left Ararat Rural City in a tremendous position to move forward.  

Our city is certainly heading in the right direction. No rate rises in seven years. We have developers wanting to invest in our city, which means growth. 

Our roads are good but could be better which means there is still work to do in that area. More weekend trains coming to get people to and from our city to Melbourne at reasonable times. 

Our council and city is financially viable through excellent governance, which I can say in all truthfulness that not many councils can say that. 

People who know me know that I am very approachable,  extremely community minded, a very good listener and give or get the answers when asked. 

There are exciting times ahead for our city moving forward and I cannot wait to be a part of it. All I need now is for people to vote 1 Bill Waterston.

 

Teli Kaur

 

Occupation: Manager at Ararat Neighbourhood House

Provide a brief background in the context of why you would make a good councillor: Mum of two, aged 17 and 6, I’m proud to have called Ararat home for 13 years. After arriving in Australia in 2008 and moving to Ararat in 2011, I worked at Ararat RSL for 11 years before becoming manager of Ararat Neighbourhood House, ANH, in 2022. There, I address community needs, foster connections, and support families. I’m standing for the council to create a more inclusive and thriving Ararat. Under my leadership, ANH won the Best Not-For-Profit Award 2023. Currently completing my Bachelor of Business at Fed Uni. I was encouraged to stand in the elections by existing councillors who value my community dedication

Have you stood for/ been on council before? If so, outline details of when? No, I have not stood for council before.

Outline your reasons for nominating for council:   Running a community centre allows me to directly advocate for the needs of our residents. My role provides first-hand experience with community challenges and opportunities, enabling me to bring informed perspectives to council discussions that support the local community.

Do you have any particular platforms that you are standing for? I am deeply connected to the community and honored to serve. If elected, I will ensure that the community’s voice is heard, support local businesses through increased grants and incentives, and organise inclusive events that celebrate our diversity.

Why should people vote for you? I am committed to making Ararat a better place for all. My community involvement, professional experience, accountability, and dedication will make me a strong candidate for council.

How can voters contact you? Voters can contact me via email at teliforararat@gmail.com or through my Facebook page  www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565523697239

 

Osman Kokcu

 

Fellow Ararat residents I am excited to stand for Ararat Rural City Council. 

As a dedicated community member, I will work tirelessly to ensure our region thrives. My vision is for a vibrant, sustainable and connected community, with services supporting well-being and prosperity.

I will focus on:

1. Supporting local businesses and attracting more to come, creating jobs for locals.

2. Enhancing and supporting community facilities.

3. Vibrant cultural events, celebrating our heritage and diversity

4. Protecting our environment and natural assets.

I will engage with residents, listening to concerns and ideas, and collaborate with local organisations. 25 years of experience in public services, businesses and leadership roles.

I possess the skills to effectively represent our community’s interests. I will listen to your concerns, be transparent in my decision-making and collaborate with fellow councillors to achieve the best outcomes for Ararat.

Let’s work together to build a brighter future for Ararat. I would be honoured to earn your vote and serve our community.

Voters can contact me on 0418 376 475.

 

Bob Sanders

 

I am proud to be standing for election as a councillor again for the Ararat Rural City Council, ARCC, and thank the residents for their trust in electing me to represent them for the past four years. 

My first term as a councillor has seen many achievements for our local government area with on average zero per cent rate rise over seven years being made possible with no loss of services to our community. 

We as councillors created a simple plan to drive the ARCC forward in six key objectives and this has been behind my decision-making at all times.

I am very eager to continue our great work with many ongoing projects that I wish to see completed such as new sporting facilities, new businesses both large and small, Aradale master plan, McDonald Centre redesign, wine discovery centre, new hotel development and the many other opportunities that are available in our beautiful region.

Having served one term as councillor, two years as deputy mayor and currently mayor, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to not only vote for me but consider re-electing my fellow councillors, and elect three new faces in Luke Preston, Teli Kaur and Peter Joyce.

 

Jo Armstrong

 

 

My civic service has a solid foundation in business management, directorship and volunteering for community organisations across our municipality. I understand good local government strategy influences community wellbeing and prosperity, and this motivates me to do my best as your advocate, ambassador, and ally.

I have been privileged to serve Ararat Rural City for two terms driving positive change for the diversity of people who choose to live, learn, work, and play here.  First elected in 2016, I was mayor from 2019 for four years and am currently deputy mayor for a second time.

The people of Ararat and our smaller rural communities deserve equitable outcomes from strategic and evidence-based decisions.  Our council’s fair and sustainable rating strategy underpins seven years of net zero increase to our rating budget – a result of the respectful team culture I value highly in the chamber.

Opportunity comes from stability and integrity, and if re-elected, I will support new councillors to sustain and build on council’s recent gains.  I ask you to vote 1 for Jo Armstrong and encourage you to also support Teli Kaur, Peter Joyce and Luke Preston along with current councillors seeking re-election, because succession planning safeguards our community’s progress.

 

Peter Beales

 

 

I am seeking a third term on Ararat council. 

I was a member of the Victoria Police for 29 years, owned the Kinglake West General Store for seven years and worked as a disability support worker, retiring in 2016 following my election to council.

I currently volunteer three days a week at Ararat Neighbourhood House‘s Second Bite food program.  I am passionate about helping young people and am a mentor for the L2P Driver program. I am a past president and member of the Rotary Club. I have been active in all parts of the municipality and have supported community projects. 

I supported the restructuring of council and, in the past seven budgets, there has been no overall rate rises, no new loans and a current loan debt of under $150,000 coupled with improved services. 

I endorse the four current councillors re-standing as they have proven to share my vision for the community. I also endorse Teli Kaur as an excellent candidate. 

I support appropriate development and increased business activity. Without appropriate development, there will be no population to support the services we have which are the envy of our neighbours. I believe targeted development will mean that Ararat will be the community where people will want to work, live and stay, especially our younger generation who need to see a future for them in Ararat. 

 

Fiona Tipping

 

 

 

 

With a long history of working in the community sector of the Grampians, Pyrenees, and Central Highlands, as well as raising my daughter nearby in Trawalla, I was privileged to choose Ararat as my permanent home over four years ago. I developed a genuine love for this community over the decades, and my motivation for running for council is to work with the community and other councillors to amplify the voices that so often go unheard.

Working in disability, employment, and with First Nations communities, I firmly believe we need to provide everyone with the same opportunity to prosper. Understanding that everyone has skills worth nourishing is good business sense – focusing on immediate profit over collective wellbeing is short-sighted. We need to provide opportunities that can be accessed by all, to ensure they can thrive in this town for the long run. I would love to see us celebrate our community of First Nations people as the oldest living culture in the world. As a proud Palawa, First Nations woman, I was brought up understanding that inclusivity is part of our culture. We celebrate and value our Elders for the wisdom and knowledge they pass down. 

Practical skills that I bring to the table include a proven track record for lobbying various governments to improve outcomes for marginalised individuals and groups. Participation in numerous Royal Commissions and Parliamentary Inquiries, written and verbal. Extensive media exposure. Most importantly, I bring honesty and diplomacy. I am being endorsed by Victorian Socialists because I am tired of the same old recycled systems that clearly are not working for most of us. We need to try something different to combat this high cost of living and housing crisis. I hope to bring this to Ararat at a local level.

 

 

Daryl Scherger

 

My name is Daryl Scherger. If elected, my priority will be a more balanced approach to development with an emphasis on a more liveable community that’s both climate and energy resilient. 

I believe Ararat needs more shade trees and parking spaces in busy location like the railway station and schools. 

Walking and cycling around Ararat and other townships should be easier and safer with more pedestrian islands and cycling lanes on busy roads. 

I will push for traffic lights on High and Albert streets, as well as Lambert and Lowe streets intersections to breakup highway traffic and improve local traffic flows. 

The Aradale Nurses Hostel is a large, unused accommodation facility and council should facilitate its refurbishment to provide housing for women fleeing domestic violence and the homeless as well as accommodation for seasonal and short-term workers. 

Despite already hosting a number of wind farms and more renewable energy installations planned, energy costs for Ararat Rural City’s residents, businesses and farmers remain too high. 

There are a number of Victorian councils facilitating community owned renewable energy projects and I believe Ararat Rural City should actively support a community-owned energy project to help reduce energy costs locally.

 

The entire October 2, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!