WELCOME, NEIGHBOUR!

There’s a well-known Irish proverb: 'You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.' Now, I’m not Irish, and I’ve never ploughed a field in my life, but I sense there's some truth to that proverb. And it's this truth that so perfectly encapsulates my decision to run for the South Gippsland Shire Council.

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I grew up and lived on a dairy farm in Poowong for the first 18 years of my life, and it was largely that small town, dairy farming community that instilled in me a love of this beautiful slice of Australia. I would like to take a minute to share with you what I see as a better way forward for all of us in South Gippsland.

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I see a better way forward in the development of arts-related infrastructure and support for local creative organisations across our Shire. Given that every single neighbouring municipality (including Cardinia, Baw-Baw shire, Bass Coast, Latrobe Valley, Wellington Shire, and East Gippsland) has a dedicated arts and/or cultural precinct or centre, why is it that South Gippsland is left wanting? A shire rich in arts and culture both brings in people and brings people together. Two things I’m sure most of us would love to see in our community.

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I see a better way forward in greater investment and attention paid to innovation and entrepreneurship. All existing businesses started with an idea, and we need to nurture even more of these ideas within our community so we can reignite the post-COVID local economy and build the businesses of tomorrow.

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I see a better way forward in protecting and preserving our precious irreplaceable landscape that, for now, still surrounds our homes. No great marketing pitch ever began with “Come to our Shire - our hills are covered in Colorbond!”. Let’s make sure that our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are able to look out at the same beautiful coastlines, forests, and farmlands that we're so lucky to see now.

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I see a better way forward for the maintenance of roads be they unsealed, haphazardly maintained (if at all), or just plain laughable, such as the infamous 'Kamakaze Corner' in Leongatha.

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I see a better way forward in the improved care for our sporting and recreational facilities. At the moment, when I have a hit of tennis in town, I hit the ball and I have to hope it goes in because I can't see the lines, which is the equivalent of playing football without the goal posts.

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Remember:

'Those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it.'

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This election, make your vote count - vote for a better way forward!

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Authorised by A. Darakai, PO Box 192, Leongatha, VIC 3953