ROSSTOWN WARD - 2016 Glen Eira Council Election Candidates https://www.vec.vic.gov.au/GlenEiraElect ion/Candidates/

Provided by the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC), these candidates’ statements are included in the ballot pack mailed to enrolled Rosstown Ward voters from Tuesday 4 October, 2016.

Information in candidate statements is provided by the candidates. Any enquiries about a candidate statement should be directed to the relevant candidate. Candidate statements are not verified or endorsed by the Returning Officer. Contact details available at vec.vic.gov.au

*******************

Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot paper (ie. as per the Ballot Paper Draw.)

3 Vacancies – 12 Candidates

Name Questionnaire Contact details

BOX, David See response

David BoxAfter Hours: (03) 9569 8425Mobile: 0435 783 451thb@optusnet.com.au

Candidate StatementEver been frustrated by council? Ever thought there was excessive red tape? Too many charges and fees? I agree 100%. I'm a long term resident and proud father of 3 gorgeous teenage kids attending local schools. I am truly passionate about our community. Importantly I am not a career politician, You may know me as a small businessman who owned an organic food store in Hughesdale. Maybe we met at the local footy or cricket clubs. In the latter I have played active roles. Over three decades of work I have gained wide experience; very useful for council. What do I want for our neighbourhood? Less large scale development, lower rates and focused spending. I want better roads, better sporting facilities and better services. Council should stick to essentials; make life easier, not harder. You deserve more than high fees and crazy bureaucracy. I also want change to a more reasonable and cooperative council. My commitment is to You. I ask you here for your support by putting a number 1 next to my name. I also ask you to consider two other prominent locals for whom I have enormous respect, business owner Tony Athanasopoulos and community worker, Jane Karslake.

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 1

Name Questionnaire Contact details

JAYAWEERA, Shan See responseShan JayaweeraMobile: 0419 767 007jayaweeras@gmail.com

Candidate Statement

I'm a Carnegie local. I love our community. I've got two young kids at Glen Huntly Primary. I want the best for them and our community. We are facing dynamic change in terms of population, technology and transport. But our council is more interested in pandering to outside interests than helping to shape our future. I see a real need to improve the infrastructure for families and catering for people of all ages and stages of life. The upkeep and creation of parks and recreational areas gives us all a place to stop, take a breath and enjoy life with those near and dear to us. Technology and how we use it is something this current council does not understand. While we are now considered inner city, the rate of increase in high density development has been alarming and done with a minimum of community consultation. They seem to value these new developments over the local history and heritage. This has to stop. I want to bring more of a focus on the arts and culture and raise the vibrancy of Glen Eira. We have a rich history of diversity from around the world which needs to be celebrated.

MALICHETTI, Sunny See responseSunny MalichettiMobile: 0466 871 860sunny_handy@yahoo.com

Candidate Statement

My name is Sunny and I have been living in Ormond for 7 years. I am married and blessed with a beautiful daughter and we love the parks and local area very much. Organizing and connecting people and serving them is central to what I enjoy about my current role within the AGL. I am committed to all the people of Ross Town Ward. Lets work together to create a peaceful, prosperous and environmentally clean and sustainable suburb with high quality facilities, public parking and good public lighting and health care for all. I will work each and every day to protect the interests of you. Glen Eira is very good council with good vision. I will oppose any inappropriate building developments. I would be honoured to earn your support. It is my honour to be your representative. Together we can build a better and safe place.

ESAKOFF, Margaret No response provided Margaret Esakoff

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 2

Name Questionnaire Contact detailsMobile: 0412 957 807margaretesakoff@gmail.com

Candidate StatementYou deserve a dedicated, experienced (three-time Mayor) full-time councillor who understands, respects and advocates your needs, who will keep party politics out of Council and concentrate on local community issues. I grew up, studied and raised my family here, am a local volunteer with a business background. I have deep roots in the area (nearly 60 years) with a full understanding of the needs of every age, having grown through many, assisted ageing parents and now with grandchildren - a full circle of experience. I stand for - a safe, secure, clean and liveable city; transparency & accountability in decision-making; best value for rates with pensioner rebate; your rate dollars spent on what you want; better planning outcomes; opposing overdevelopment; the Planning Scheme Review implemented to better protect your amenity; neighbourhood character protected; solutions for traffic, congestion & parking issues; improved street lighting; the best possible outcomes from land under the proposed Sky Rail; parks & gardens improved and protected and new open space created; improved services for the whole community - from the young, to families, the aged and those with a disability; renewal/upgrade of Carnegie Pool; supporting local traders to keep local shopping viable; and sensible sustainable environmental initiatives.

COOPER, Asher No response provided Asher Cooperashercooper@gmail.com

Candidate StatementI am a Carnegie resident with a keen interest in local issues and Local Government. I love living in Glen Eira and would be grateful for the opportunity to be part of the decision-making team, involved in creating policy, guiding the strategic direction of Council, as well as advocacy to other levels of Government on matters of importance to the community. Meaningful consultation must occur by all levels of Government when matters of significance to our community are decided on (eg SkyRail) with solid business cases and relevant impact studies available for scrutiny during the consultation phase. I will support residents in open, transparent & accountable processes; a safe, secure environment; meaningful consultation; saying 'No' to inappropriate development; preserving local neighbourhood character; advocacy to the State Government for higher car parking ratios for new development; a solution to the traffic congestion and parking problems; great sporting facilities for local children; environmental sustainability; and providing quality services to residents. I have a varied background, having worked in the health and fitness industry, in education, as well as having studied building & construction, and I am currently working for a national company in the building maintenance industry. Vote 1 Asher Cooper

KARSLAKE, Jane See response Jane KarslakeMobile: 0418 106 739

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 3

Name Questionnaire Contact detailsjkarslake@iinet.net.au

Candidate StatementI made Glen Eira home 25 years ago. My son attends a local Primary School. As President of the Toy Library I led its move and redevelopment, and initiated inclusion programs, I remain a volunteer. My work has always been focused on people improving their lives. Recently I worked on the national Gonski education campaign and previously in womens and community services and with local government. I want Council to ensure development is reasonable, appropriate, considers congestion, preserves neighbourhood character and our environment. Celebrating diversity and creating an engaged, equitable community benefits everyone and should remain Councils priority. Childrens services and libraries enable the best start in life; a passion of mine. Aged care, in-home care and supports are critical for older people who deserve to live with dignity and security. I oppose privatisation of these services. I will be a responsible, accountable representative who will listen and support your priorities working hard and collaboratively to deliver results. For a Council that can make meaningful change Vote 1 Jane Karslake and numbering every box vote Tony Anthanopoulos, and David Box above all other candidates. For any other information, you can contact me on phone 0418 106 739, Facebook -janekarslake4gleneira or jkarslake@iinet.net.au

DUNSTAN, Don See response

Don DunstanBusiness Hours: (03) 9578 7134After Hours: (03) 9578 7134Mobile: 0499 762 057dondunstan@westnet.com.au

Candidate StatementDon Dunstan is a lifelong resident of Glen Eira, and has lived in Rosstown Ward for over 25 years. Educated in Glen Eira (Caulfield Grammar), he has been active in protecting the rights of all residents, and has been President of Glen Eira Residents Association and Glen Eira Community Associations, among others. Don has a wide range of experience in business in Australia and overseas, and has been a key figure in protecting our heritage buildings, the urban landscape, and initiating the opening up of new parkland and open space. Don has been President of the Lord Park and Koornang Park Committee of Management, he started Glen Eira University of the Third Age (U3A), and has been recognized as Glen Eira Citizen of the Year. Don's number one priority is to fix the four major problems in Glen Eira. First, the financial problems of a decade of huge rate rises; second, the problems arising from gross over-development and poor town planning (large areas of Glen Eira are being ripped apart by inappropriate development); third, to remove the shroud of secrecy and lack of genuine consultation in council affairs; fourthly, to fix the chronic lack of sporting fields and sporting facilities.ZOIS, Con See response Con Zois

Business Hours: (03) 9490 1877After Hours: (03) 9569 0686Mobile: 0417 315 929

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 4

Name Questionnaire Contact detailszoisy@iprimus.com.au

Candidate StatementI am the Head of Co-Curricular activities at a major independent secondary school having worked my way up through the state and private systems. I've lived in the great suburb of Murrumbeena for the last 28 years and can't think of a better place for my wife and I to have raised my three now adult children. Sadly, the characteristics that make this area great are under threat as never before, due to overdevelopment in general and Skyrail in particular. We need strong committed locals to stand up for the community, and I'm the person who will do that. I am committed to serving the community, to education, to caring for the disabled and disadvantaged and to proper consultation and communication, and genuine transparency. The Skyrail process so far has been anything but transparent, and the consultation and communication have been woeful. Councillors must do all they can to ensure the government works with, not against, the community to deliver the best possible outcome. If elected, I will strongly represent the community, especially those who feel that their voices have not been heard. You will have a councillor who is there for no other reason but to serve you.

PILLING, Neil See responseNeil PillingMobile: 0418 310 631neilpilling@hotmail.com

Candidate StatementI am the current Mayor of Glen Eira who has lived locally for over twenty years. Since 2008 it has been a privilege to serve our community as your Rosstown Ward Councillor. The achievements during this time have been many.These include the wonderful new modern facilities at Duncan Mackinnon reserve, the soon to be opened parklands at Booran Park Glenhuntly that will provide much needed recreational opportunities and the innovative programs and services that many, especially our elder residents value and rely on. Environmental sustainability is a vital area that has seen Council take a greater leadership role of which I have continually championed. These highlights reflect my ongoing commitment to ensuring Council provides quality facilities and services that all in our community can access and enjoy. All this has been accomplished whilst working hard to keep your rates as low as possible and providing best value for money. However there is more work to be done in listening and responding to our growing community. I would really welcome and appreciate your support in ensuring the gains of the past eight years are continued and improved on and that Glen Eira remains one of the best places to live.

DAVEY, Clare See responseClare DaveyMobile: 0435 423 701clare.davey@vic.greens.org.au

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 5

Name Questionnaire Contact details

Candidate StatementAs a Glen Huntly local and Greens endorsed candidate, I am running for council to ensure that the communities of Glen Eira flourish. I love the convenience, diversity and activity of Glen Huntly Road and the EE Gunn Reserve park, where I connect with the community and enjoy the green open space. I am standing with the Greens because our values align on the environment and inter-generational equity. I want to leave a better world for future generations. With a Master of Engineering and significant experience working in local government in Victoria, I intimately understand how to achieve outcomes that meet community needs. If elected, I will work for the security, safety and wellbeing of our community through improving our walking and cycling paths, enhancing our shopping centres and encouraging sustainable development. Get in touch on clare.davey@vic.greens.org.au or 0435 423 701 to tell me what matters to you. Vote [1] Clare Davey, for a vibrant, bold community.

HO, Kelvin See responseKelvin HoMobile: 0499 997 808GT1688@hotmail.com

Candidate StatementI have lived in Carnegie for over nine years and I love this area, but there is much that needs to be done to protect and improve it. I was elected to Council in April 2016, and in the short time that I have served, I have gained a greater understanding of the challenges facing Glen Eira, and a greater appetite for helping to solve them. I have long been committed to community service and helping the needy, establishing the Australian Chinese Leadership Foundation in 2013 to cultivate outstanding talent in politics and business, and driving the Foundation to make significant donation to victims of the Great Ocean Road bushfires. My priorities as a Councillor will be to fight for genuine community consultation about all works done on "Sky Rail", providing better services for children and families, providing improved services and care for senior citizens, building a better multicultural community, improving community safety, opposing inappropriate development, dealing with the congestion in our streets, helping our local traders, including by encouraging residents to shop locally, and achieving more and better open space.

ATHANASOPOULOS, Tony See responseTony AthanasopoulosMobile: 0401 058 748tony@ljhair.com.au

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 6

Name Questionnaire Contact details

Candidate StatementIm Tony Athanasopoulos. I believe in a council where your rates are low and you get proper service for your money. Cleaner streets. Well maintained footpaths and trees. And better local roads. I want our council to stand up for you to stop overdevelopment You deserve active representation. Your Councillor should be open and someone who fights for your equal share of our resources. I live in Carnegie and proudly run a family business, Liana James Hair & Beauty on Koornang Road. We have been in business in Glen Eira for 16 years. I am the Chairperson of the Carnegie Traders Association, Ive worked closely with the Murrumbeena Scope House (disability support) and Im currently the President of the Chrisalis Foundation helping people living with a disability. Im passionate about our community and helping others. I will: fight to keep your rates low; stop over development; ensure maintenance of skyrail; provide more local parking; clean up shopping areas and be your strong voice on council. I would be honoured if you voted 1 for me and after that, consider two other outstanding candidates Jane Karslake and David Box. Please number all boxes. www.tonyforrosstown.com

The current incumbents seeking re-election for a further 4 year term in Rosstown are

Cr. Margaret Esakoff - Councillor first elected in 2003, sacked 2005, re-elected 2005, 2008 & 2012. Total consecutive years served = 13 years

Cr. Kelvin Ho – Councillor appointed in May, 2016 (due to Cr. Karina Okotel’s resignation). Total months served = 5 months

Cr. Neil Pilling - Councillor first elected in 2008, re-elected 2012. Total consecutive years served = 8 years

Authoriised by: B. Hatfield 21/41 Chapel Street, St. Kilda 7