With five new faces and four returnees, Melton councillors are ready to get to work.
COBURN WARD
Sophie Ramsey (mayor)
Age: 52
Suburb: Melton
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I’ve been on council for the past 15 years for one overriding reason, because I love representing this beautiful community and believe that Melton’s community is its greatest asset.
Serving this community is a very humbling experience.
What skills do you bring to this council?
I’ve lived in the city of Melton for more than 30 years, so I understand the issues that are close to the hearts of residents.
My aim as mayor is to be a strong voice on council for all the community, especially our disabled, disengaged and elderly, for both those who have lived here for a long time and those who are new to the area.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
The most pressing issues facing Coburn ward are ensuring quality council services are maintained, sporting grounds and facilities are upgraded, and a suitable site for a new cemetery is found.
My wish is for council to identify a new site for a new basketball stadium and a performing arts centre for the city.
Bob Turner (deputy mayor)
Age: 57
Suburb: Melton West
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
Being a returning councillor, I feel there is a lot of unfinished business, which I would like to help deliver.
What skills do you bring to this council?
My genuine feel for my community.
Also the skills I have learnt during the past eight years allow me to help residents navigate the system.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• Improved medical facilities, including day hospital services.
• Police numbers and community safety concerns.
• Transport, rail and road upgrades, including improved bus interchanges.
Melissa De Santis
Age: 40
Suburb: Melton
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I wanted to make Melton a better place for its families to live in. I wanted to see an improvement in public transportation, especially the electrification of our rail service. I was also concerned that council needed to be more proactive in creating more local jobs and attracting industry to our city.
I would like to see the Victoria University campus fully restored, providing both TAFE and tertiary courses.
Youth homelessness and family violence are two of my other key interests, which I hope through council can be better addressed.
What skills do you bring to this council?
I hold a Bachelor of Community Development and have also been involved in state government administration, and will use these skills to benefit the Melton community.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• For council to play a leading role in job creation, especially for our youth.
• To advocate on behalf of our community in the area of tertiary education.
• To improve roads infrastructure, such as the duplication of the Melton Highway and an upgrade of the Western Highway between Melton and Deer Park.
Ken Hardy
Age: undisclosed
Suburb: Melton South
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I have served with the state government over an extensive period within the now Workcover commercial building and construction department as an occupational health and safety inspector …
previously (I worked in research into) industry technology and resources in oil, gas, water and mineral reserves. In the late 1990s, I created a small business in the commercial building and construction industry to give senior advocacy in that industry on all matters pertaining to occupational health and safety, industrial relations and contract management.
What skills do you bring to this council?
I am now singularly focused on all matters and challenges faced by the Melton community, using the skills and knowledge obtained in the roles previously served in state government and commercial industry advocacy roles.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• Joint-venture development of a Melton public private hospital and adjoining medical precinct.
• The creation of a jobs forum with state and federal government representatives, convened in Melton.
• Increased police numbers and presence to tackle the growing level of crime in Melton.
WATTS WARD
Michelle Mendes
Age: undisclosed
Suburb: undisclosed
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I put my hand up to be a councillor as I wanted to see greater representation from councillors that are independents.
What skills do you bring to this council?
I have the knowledge of 47 years of watching Melton change, membership of residents’ associations, and being a local volunteer on various groups – attributes that will complement my council role – along with many years as a teacher in the Melton and Caroline Springs areas.
Through these roles, I have gained a vast knowledge of the services residents require.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• A 24-hour police station in Caroline Springs.
• Duplication of the Melton Highway.
• A greater number of secondary and primary schools.
Lara Carli
Age: 38
Suburb: Taylors Hill
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I have always wanted to, and have, contributed to my community, whether it be through community groups, local community activism or serving as a councillor.
What skills do you bring to this council?
My skills of advocacy, and the fact that I have a great sense of empathy … (these) allow me to be an effective representative on behalf of my residents.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• Traffic congestion, particularly Gourlay Road through to Caroline Springs Boulevard.
• Parking and traffic issues around our schools in Watts ward.
• More sports and recreation facilities for our growing young population.
CAMBRIDGE WARD
Name: Steve Abboushi
Age: undisclosed
Suburb: undisclosed
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I was encouraged by family and friends to stand for Council. I am already invested in our community. I volunteer for numerous community groups within the municipality including a local not for profit organisation mentoring young people. I’m passionate about ensuring our community is heard and represented, on all fronts.
What skills do you bring to this council?
I’ve been a proud City of Melton resident for 10 years. I hope to bring a fair and transparent approach to council by ensuring that members of our community are given every opportunity to engage with us about what matters most to them. I am an experienced advocate and feel that this will assist to advance the needs of our community.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• Community Safety.
• Local infrastructure such as roads and transportation
• The rise in the cost of living in our municipality. I want to ensure that our ratepayers get value for money with regards to council spending. Our residents must come first, before any special interests.
Name: Kathy Majdlik
Age: 43
Suburb: Caroline Springs
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I put my hand up for the position because I feel a real connection with my residents and local community. Having been elected as councillor for the past eight years I feel privileged and honoured that my residents had the faith in me again to represent them on local issues. I would also like to continue advocating for some of the projects that I initiated over the past few years including an aquatic centre that will be closer for our residents to visit, better police numbers for our community and better facilities for our residents.
What skills do you bring to this council?
What I will be bringing to the job is my eight years of previous experience in local government as a councillor (twice elected as mayor and deputy mayor). I have also graduated with a Double Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Entrepreneurial Innovation as well as a Diploma in Local Government. I am passionate about helping our community to be a better and more advanced place to live then when I started on council. I have a business background as well as having various leadership roles in community organisations and I have board experience as a director to not for profits and charity organisations.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
I believe that safety is the top priority facing my ward, every resident deserves to feel safe in their own homes and in their community. As well as accessibility issues, local jobs, supporting local businesses and a sustainable and innovative approach on how to deal with the growth that is, and will continue to occur, within the ward.
Name: Goran Kesic
Age: 48
Suburb: Caroline Springs
Why did you put your hand up for the job?
I was worried about the direction the previous council was heading in. That’s not to say some good work wasn’t being done.
What skills do you have that will complement this council?
I have a double degree in Strategic studies and International Relations, and Masters in International Relations. As an experienced interpreter, analyst, investigator, and adviser I bring many years experience in politics, military intelligence, security analysis, and project management both internationally and locally.
What are the three most pressing issues facing your ward?
• Roads
• Infrastructure
• Growth.
