I am someone who gives a damn.

I care deeply for the municipality and have worked hard over the last two terms as the Ward Councillor for Canal Ward. I have also taken on the role of Mayor and currently Deputy Mayor. I listen; I help; I take each issue on its merits and I make decisions based on my values.

I don’t take myself too seriously and I am not afraid to change my mind and acknowledge there is always more to do and that I don’t always get everything right. I believe in treating people respectfully and with kindness. I am focussed on local issues and local action. I believe council needs to support and help build community.

I have been the biggest and most vocal supporter of the arts and creative industries and have fought hard to stop the cuts to the arts and done quite the opposite, I have put in place multi-year funding for key arts organisations to help them survive and thrive.

I am an actor, an environmentalist and worked for twenty plus years in hospitality. I am engaged to a beautiful man, Matt, who is currently getting his pilot’s licence. I regularly pick up rubbish with the fabulous local groups - Elwood Ploggers and Love Our Streets 3184. I am a little obsessed with how to get people to not litter in the first place and then secondly to pick up litter outside of their homes and businesses so we have a clean and beautiful municipality.

I am currently watching GLOW on TV, reading Bright Shining by Julia Baird and planning on seeing Inisde Out 2 at the cinema soon.

This page is a work in progress….

Here is my HTV:

 

Achievements of this term (2020 - 2024):

  • Led the charge within council to save the early education centres

  • Masterplan for the Elwood Foreshore

  • Funding for the Elwood Tennis Club court resurface

  • Extra funding for food for the community in need

  • Duplication of the Head Street drain to mitigate flooding (to begin in 2025)

  • More open space in St Kilda East (properties bought and which will be developed in the next few years)

  • Increased rates for derelict and vacant land, unactivated retail premises

  • Urban forest strategy

  • Delivered more local social housing

Still to do:

  • More off-leash dog parks and signage eg a new dog park on corner of Barkly St, Glen Huntly Rd and Beach Rd in Elwood

  • Upgrade the St Kilda Library and establish a library in Fishermans Bend

  • The upgrade of the Elwood foreshore and buildings

  • More social and affordable housing

  • Extra change rooms at the Elwood Pavilion (we are just waiting)

  • To increase canopy cover across the city

  • Constantly look to how to engage community better

  • More face to face community forums and consultation

  • Continue to provide the valued community services

  • Work with Melbourne Water for a cleaner litter free canal

  • More litter pickers for residential streets

  • Get a webcam on the Elwood Canal so people can check on heavy flood days if they need to return home (Thanks Christian for this idea)

  • Get the balance right for increased canopy but also how our trees interact with homes

  • Look to adjust John St pavement to allow for sloped parking

  • Extra spring street cleaning for pollen