By Jed Lanyon
The recent local government elections saw four Yarra Ranges councillors move on from their positions, having given a collective 41 years to the community.
Councillors Terry Avery, Noel Cliffe and Mike Clarke announced earlier in the year they would be retiring from their positions in their respective wards. While councillor Tony Stevenson was unsuccessful in his bid to run for Walling Ward, having attempted to shift from his seat in Chandler Ward.
Councillor Tony Stevenson was elected in 2016 and served as mayor in 2019. He had some parting words following the Yarra Ranges Council elections.
“My time on Council has been brief, four years, but mostly enjoyable. It’s a unique opportunity to work with the many people who truly make Yarra Ranges the best place to live.
“Congratulations to the five councillors who were returned – Cr Child, Cox, Heenan, Higgins and McAllister. I am sure you will be as generous and supportive of the new councillors as you were for me over the past four years.
“It’s a national sport to stick the boot into Council or Governments, but we’re all better off if we can find ways to work cooperatively in the interests of the community.”
At their final meeting on 13 October, each of the three retiring councillors reflected on their time in office.
Councillor Terry Avery was elected in 2005 and served as mayor in 2010.
“The one really good thing I take away from this is that all the councillors I worked with, they worked for their community and not for any political party or political agenda,” he said.
“I take great pride in that because having political agendas muddies the water and then fails to deliver for our community.”
Mr Avery said becoming a councillor was “an eye opener” for him.
“In the first 12 months I thought, ‘oh what have I gotten myself into here?’ it was kind of overwhelming, but over the last 15 years I’ve seen some fantastic outcomes.”
Councillor Noel Cliffe was elected in 2003 and served as mayor in 2016. He described his journey at council as “damn good fun”.
“It’s been bloody marvelous,” he said. “The people and the community are terrific. I’ve made lifelong friends, there’s no doubt about it.”
Mr Cliffe offered some helpful advice to the incoming councillors in that their first role is to help the people.
“It’s got to be the first thing you do, not so much of making sure all the policies are in place. Don’t lose touch with the fact that we deal with people who bleed, cry and hurt. Please don’t forget that.”
Departing councillor Mike Clarke was elected to Lyster Ward in 2015. He said his six years as a councillor was “an incredible learning curve”.
“I learnt so much about my community, but also about council and how it works. I always say to people the breadth and the depth that council covers is mind boggling. You could not imagine it if you’ve never worked as a councillor or for a council.
“What I’ve appreciated is learning a lot about other parts of the whole Yarra Ranges and the community, which otherwise I wouldn’t have known anything at all.
“You can travel around as a tourist, but it doesn’t help you get to meet and talk to people and see what’s going on and see how they celebrate their livelihoods. It’s been a fantastic experience for me.”
Mayor Richard Higgins thanked the three retiring council members for their work over the years.
“Terry has been a passionate advocate for his community and has been involved in projects such as the Esther Park pavilion and synthetic soccer pitch – both of which have received significant funding from other levels of government.
“He campaigned for more investment in parking at Mooroolbark Station to better accommodate local commuters. The fact that the Level Crossing Removal project includes a multi-level carpark can be linked with Terry’s advocacy during his time at Council.
“Mike has been a great advocate for his community in the hills, championing Council’s approach to climate change and services available in Lyster Ward and its surrounds.
“He has consistently worked to provide more drainage projects for Dandenong Ranges community members through our annual Capital Works budget, advocated for better and more environmentally-friendly public transport services through the Eastern Transport Coalition and contributed much to Council’s approach to our changing climate.
“Noel cares deeply about his community, particularly the artistic and creative communities that call the hills home.
“He’s been instrumental in the work to enhance and redevelop Burrinja Cultural Centre which once housed the Shire of Ferntree Gully. The redevelopment finishing this year is part of his legacy from his time in Council.”
