Chris Templer is a business operator in the Upper Yarra.
He lists his interests as improvements in public transport, community facilities, road maintenance, dust suppression, weed eradication, community services, cutting red tape from planning and striking a balance in natural environment and rural landscape with agriculture and needs of small business operators.
“I will bring innovative ideas and my strong voice, enthusiasm, energy, and life experience to council,” he says.
Indication of preferences: 1 Templer, 2 Hay, 3 Switserloot, 4 Child, 5 Clarke.
Robert Hay is a relief teacher, co-ordinator of Warburton Auskick, and has his own business.
He lists his interests as increased tourism, more local jobs, climate change and more sustainable businesses.
“I love the wonderful Upper Yarra Valley and believe there are great opportunities to increase tourism and create more local jobs,” he says. “I have tertiary qualifications in education, environmental science and change management. I’ve had many different jobs including three years in local government.”
Indication of preferences: 3 Templer, 1 Hay, 2 Switserloot, 4 Child, 5 Clarke.
Joanne Switserloot is a community development worker in mental health. She was one of 20 women from the shire invited to attend the 2006 Victorian Government Women’s Roundtable. She lists her interests as community involvements including school councils, community houses, loss and grief support, state government committees and a major health service for the Yarra Valley.
“I believe councillors need to engage in advocacy and lobbying for changes on issues that impact on our unique area and which will ensure equity and access of all services in our community,” she says.
Indication of preferences: 5 Templer, 3 Hay, 1 Switserloot, 4 Child, 2 Clarke.
Jim Child is a businessman, employer and former shire president. He lists his interests as the prosperity and wellbeing of residents and ratepayers and the environmental health of the region. He described O’Shannassy Ward as “unique in the shire of Yarra Ranges”, requiring an in-depth understanding of how the community thinks and operates.
“I have the ability to successfully communicate with all levels of the community, listen and understand what this diverse community of ours is expressing,” he says.
Indication of preferences: 5 Templer, 2 Hay, 3 Switserloot, 1 Child, 4 Clarke.
Ted Clarke is chairman of Hoddles Creek Red Cross Unit and Deputy Emergency Services liaison officer with the Australian Red Cross. He has lived in Woori Yallock for 25 years.
“My job involves liaising with the shire, Victoria Police, SES and CFA,” he says. “My wife and I have a good understanding of the needs of the valley. As a long-time resident of Woori Yallock, my local knowledge and skills would make me an ideal representative of the people of O’Shannassy. If elected as councillor, I will endeavour to address as many issues as possible.”
Indication of preferences: 2 Templer, 4 Hay, 3 Switserloot, 5 Child, 1 Clarke.
Ryrie Ward
Michael Matthews lists his interests as balanced planning, economic development, a sustainable environment, well-planned infrastructure, footpaths outside aged care homes, and maintenance of sporting grounds and the swimming pool.
“We must plan with fairness and understanding,” he says. “Sustainable development will protect the environment and support local businesses, tourism, job growth and agriculture. A strong team player, experience in tourism, retail, wine industry, government relations, crisis management and strategic planning would be critical in my role.”
Dorothy Barber is a board member of Eastern Access Community Health and also chairwoman of the Yarra Glen Medical Precinct Group. She lists as her interests the plight of small communities when it comes to the allocation of resources, the need for basic services and the right of people to age in their own place without putting pressure on other generations.
“As somebody who is new to the political process, I offer a fresh approach to issues challenging residents of the Yarra Ranges,” she says. “I am politically unaligned. I share the frustration of those who feel they are constantly being overlooked.”
Indication of preferences: 3 Matthews, 1 Barber, 5 Hill, 6 McRae, 2 Moore, 4 King.
David Hill is keen to upgrade the multi-lane carriageway from Warburton Highway east of Lilydale through Coldstream. He also wants to resolve the Queens Park development and aquatic centre and keen on residential and industrial development synergies for ergonomic growth in the Yarra Valley. His interests are family, education, sports, the needs of an ageing population and the Essential Services Complex including police, ambulance, fire brigade and SES, and parking at the East End strip shops.
“Send a message that we have funded the Shire of Yarra Ranges coffers long enough and now we want some value,” he says.
Indication of preferences: 5 Matthews, 6 Barber, 1 Hill, 2 McRae, 3 Moore, 4 King.
Jeanette McRae’s interest in seeking election to the council concerns the Coldstream compost facility, Sugarloaf Pipeline, public transport, rural roads, police resourcing, medical services, affordable and accessible housing, ageing in place and mobility issues.
“As the elected councillor, I have been privileged to work with and represent my community over so many issues,” she says. “Through a framework of responsible, strategic and sustainable financial management and low rate increases, considerable funding has been achieved for ward roads, footpaths, recreational and community facilities.”
Indication of preferences: 3 Matthews, 6 Barber, 5 Hill, 1 McRae, 4 Moore, 2 King.
Di Moore was elected to the council in 1988 and is a former mayor. Her interests in seeking election to the council centre on economic capacity, meaningful employment, healthy environmental practices and strong communities.
“In these uncertain times, most will be looking for certainty and security,” she says. “I offer leadership, experience, wisdom, vision, trust and respectfulness, combined with the ability to be consultative, responsive, flexible, adaptable and informed. My passion is to serve the Yarra Valley, its people, environment, prosperity and diverse cultural values.”
Indication of preferences: 5 Matthews, 2 Barber, 3 Hill, 6 McRae, 1 Moore, 4 King.
Les King has a background in financial planning and lists his interest as the need for a tight rein over the shire’s budget and more of the state’s budget for Ryrie Ward. He is involved in the Country Fire Authority, football clubs and the church.
“I have been passionate about community projects for many years,” he says.
Indication of preferences: 3 Matthews, 4 Barber, 5 Hill, 2 McRae, 6 Moore, 1 King.
Billanook Ward
Sonya Weir is a mother of three children and works for Morrison House and a major garden centre. She assists with the Yarra Valley strawberry festival and the breast cancer foundation motor bike ride. She lists her electoral interests as assistance for families, services for senior citizens, better transport, infrastructure for young people and a major supermarket in Mount Evelyn to assist the local economy.
“I believe we need more assistance for families across the shire by working closer with our schools and family service advocates, promote family connectedness through family fun days and information sessions,” she says.
Indication of preferences: 1 Weir, 3 Bailey, 2 Harris, 9 Heenan, 8 Tesoriero, 6 Mobsby, 7 Topma, 4 Wilson, 5 Worsnop.
Geoff Bailey has been president of the Mt Evelyn Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Keep Australia Beautiful, Life Governor of Yooralla Hospital, sports administrator with Vicsport, founder of the Mt Evelyn Pony Club, drug and alcohol adviser, and shire of Lilydale councillor. His interests in seeking election is to ensure a freeze on council rates, review of property valuations, obtain 20 per cent discount on council rates for older people and to place controls over councillors’ allowances. He wants to ensure extended hours at the police station and protection of the environment and stop high rise buildings.
“To be on council is a privilege, not for profit,” he says. “I am an independent candidate.”
Indication of preferences: 3 Weir, 1 Bailey, 2 Harris, 9 Heenan, 8 Tesoriero, 4 Mobsby, 5 Topma, 6 Wilson, 7 Worsnop.
Ian Harris lists as his election interests support for families, care for the environment and more transparent communication.
“I have been involved in many aspects of our community over the years,” he says. “I have managed and completed many valuable and successful community projects and facilities. This work has required me to liaise with many community groups and individuals. I will work towards making Billanook a better place for all residents no matter what their social status or circumstance.”
Indication of preferences: 4 Weir, 6 Bailey, 1 Harris, 9 Heenan, 8 Tesoriero, 5 Mobsby, 3 Topma, 2 Wilson, 7 Worsnop.
Tim Heenan, the mayor for the term just ended, has listed his concerns as including responsible economic management, sustainable development, protection of the environment, planning approvals, volunteering, youth and local businesses.
“Active community engagement with my ability to listen will help build a better place to live. I have demonstrated leadership skills with the council interface in having matters brought to a state and federal level,” he says.
Indication of preferences: 7 Weir, 8 Bailey, 9 Harris, 1 Heenan, 3 Tesoriero, 6 Mobsby, 4 Topma, 5 Wilson, 2 Worsnop.
Louise Tesoriero lists as her council concerns in Billanook Ward young people, promotion of sports clubs, improvement of all sports facilities in the shire, environment, driver education, health care and help for the sick, the elderly and young mothers.
“I am young and I am to represent young people,” she says. “I shop at local businesses. Sport is close to my heart. I have played sport at local clubs and attended local schools. I intend to focus on educating businesses and households in ways to be more sustainable and accountable for their environmental impact.”
Indication of preferences: 7 Weir, 8 Bailey, 9 Harris, 2 Heenan, 1 Tesoriero, 6 Mobsby, 4 Topma, 5 Wilson, 3 Worsnop.
Lawrence Mobsby worked in the accounts department of a large insurance company and had charge of the actuarial department. He has listed as his electoral interests reduced rates and reduction in council expenditure, keeping the elderly in their homes, providing housing for young people and families, child care, sensitive development, extension of the railway from Lilydale, employment opportunities, roads, school car parks and environmentally neutral business premises.
He attended Montrose Primary School and matriculated at Lilydale High School.
“Accounting experience together with my long experience in dealing with this council will be used in finding ways to reduce council expenditure and thus reduce rates,” he says.
Indication of preferences: 3 Weir, 4 Bailey, 2 Harris, 9 Heenan, 7 Tesoriero, 1 Mobsby, 5 Topma, 6 Wilson, 8 Worsnop.
Peter Topma is a 27-year-old childcare worker who lists a cleaner environment as one of his electoral interests. He says he would work to make recycling more efficient, create a more eco-friendly community and assist in youth projects.
“I have remained in this area my whole life,” he says. “As a young person growing up in the ward, I understand that giving young people a voice in their community provides an opportunity for them to have a say on issues that they believe will affect them achieving their goals.”
Indication of preferences: 6 Weir, 4 Bailey, 2 Harris, 9 Heenan, 7 Tesoriero, 3 Mobsby, 1 Topma, 5 Wilson, 8 Worsnop.
Andrea Wilson is married with three children and is involved with craft groups. She lists as her council interests improvements in planning and building processes, traffic flow at schools and services for infants and the elderly in particular.
“I am a home owner with a mortgage and I have lived in Billanook Ward for many years,” she says. “I feel it is important to improve planning processes within the council and feel that the waiting times for approvals are too long. I feel that we need to make traffic flow around schools safer. Creating more efficient health services for all ages needs to be addressed.”
Indication of preferences: 3 Weir, 6 Bailey, 2. Harris, 9 Heenan, 7 Tesoriero, 5 Mobsby, 4 Topma, 1 Wilson, 8 Worsnop.
Clare Worsnop is vice-president of the Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association and the recipient of the 2008 Environmentalist of the Year award. She is co-author of the Design and Development Overlay for Mount Evelyn township. She lists as her council interests appropriate development, and planning.
“I am experienced in dealing with appeal processes at VCAT, owl monitoring, public speaking and liaison with Melbourne Water and DSE,” she says.
Indication of preferences: 7 Weir, 8 Bailey, 9 Harris, 2 Heenan, 3 Tesoriero, 4 Mobsby, 5 Topma, 6 Wilson, 1 Worsnop.
