It’s an exciting time to join the council.
With a new chief executive, Ali Wastie, and two other women councillors joining this year, there is a lot of shared optimism and fresh energy.
I am honoured to be elected and feel very fortunate to represent the Bellarine and wider Greater Geelong region.
It is an area I’ve called home since 2001, when my partner and I fell in love with Barwon Heads.
My family crossed the bridge into Ocean Grove earlier this year, and are fortunate to have strong ties in both townships.
All governments need to enhance the area’s natural assets, and protect the strong separate identities of both communities, wherever possible.
As a social worker, I have spent most of my career listening to people and working with them to find solutions and access services.
I also work as an actor and co-producer for a local dance theatre company and value the transformative power of storytelling.
I often draw upon my creativity to help address complex challenges.
These are skills I will use as a councillor.
I am committed to being accessible and listening to the needs of the community.
I want to be a voice for those people, who need stronger representation.
And I want to work collaboratively with my council colleagues.
Local government, when it’s working well, has a very big impact on residents’ lives.
Given the influence councils have, it is important that we are accountable, responsive and very clear in our decision-making.
In the past few years, some great steps have been taken towards meeting council’s sustainability and climate-change related targets.
We must continue to prioritise delivering on council’s commitment to a carbon-neutral future.
Thank you to everyone who has been in touch over the past few weeks.
If you would like to discuss anything, I am available via:
email: elise.wilkinson@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
phone: 0458 769 380
