Dear All, Have you heard the breaking news?!? Our sitting MP for Monash, Russell Broadbent, has today announced that he is quitting the Liberal Party and is moving to the cross bench! What does this mean for Monash? It's hard to say. It does mean that for the first time in history, Monash is represented by an Independent. It remains to be seen as to whether, now he is no longer constrained by party lines, Mr Broadbent will seek feedback from the community and vote in Parliament in accordance with the values of the people of Monash. We will certainly be watching this closely and will keep you informed! South Gippsland Sentinel Times has reported here that Mr Broadbent will not contest the next election but will serve out the remainder of this term so as not to trigger a by-election. Over the weekend, the local Liberal Party members voted overwhelmingly to preselect Mary Aldred as the next Liberal candidate for Monash. |
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Coming up: A Very Voices End of Year Celebration! |
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We are planning to have an end of year get together for all members with a very special guest speaker to attend. We hope you can come and chat all things politics, community and local issues. More details to come soon! |
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Meet our new committee for 2023/2024! |
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Last month, Voices for Monash held its Annual General Meeting, and welcomed several new members to the committee. We introduce below your steering committee for the coming year: |
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FIONA MCKENZIE - PRESIDENT Returning as president this year, Fiona brings her passion for citizen democracy, the movement to “do politics differently” by engaging community in decisions and issues. A Phillip Island resident, Fiona has founded several local schools, including the Phillip Island Village School and the Village High School in Ryanston on the model of democratic education where children are involved and empowered in the learning process. Fiona is also the President of the Australasian Democratic Education Community and has a wealth of experience in the process of listening, collaborating and group decision making. |
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MAUREEN WILSON - SECRETARY Maureen has always been interested in politics, driven by her own ethics, wanting accountability but having a sense of powerlessness as a voter. This drove her to find a way to contribute to changing the status quo or at least contribute to a different way to be heard as a member of the voting public and a woman. She is a strong supporter of Independents or Teal candidates who want to represent the communities that they live in. Maureen is a North Wonthaggi local and has a background in healthcare with over 25 years’ experience in senior management roles in private and public hospitals and state and federal government, specifically in change management across healthcare, disability, and aged care. |
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LES CORSON - TREASURER Les had never been involved in politics before joining Voices for Monash, but has been inspired by the Independents movement and is driven to achieve better representation and outcomes for our community. Les works in software development, primarily from his home in Warragul, and is actively engaged in the ultra-marathon community, often taking part in runs of up to 100km around the country. |
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NIC FRANCES GILLEY - GENERAL COMMITTEE In 1998, Nic emigrated from the UK to Australia where he was the CEO of the Brotherhood of St Laurence until 2004. His work at the Brotherhood earned him an Australian Centenary Medal. Nic has founded and led several environmental and social purpose businesses including Easy Being Green, Cool NRG International and DC Power Co. Nic served as a Councillor on Melbourne City Council from 2017 to 2020. He now lives in Newhaven and is passionate about climate action and supporting women to achieve equality in leadership positions and the political arena. |
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JO MACKENZIE - GENERAL COMMITTEE Jo brings to the committee a lifetime of experience in leadership, community and communication. Jo joined Women’s Electoral Lobby May 1972 and served on Camberwell Council from 1974 to 1979. After graduating from journalism at RMIT 1979 she was employed as a journalist with ABC News for several years and subsequently at SBS. Jo is now retired and lives at Foster, where she is still actively involved in a number of community groups. |
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DEB LEONARD - GENERAL COMMITTEE Deb has followed the Voices movement since its inception in Indi in 2013 and had not been involved with Voices for Monash until she saw their social media post prior to the last federal election calling for potential candidates who were passionate about representing the community. This led her to nominate as a candidate and became the endorsed Voices for Monash candidate in the 2022 Federal election. A Cape Woolamai local, lawyer and business owner, Deb is passionate about community engagement and achieving better outcomes for the Monash electorate community. |
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PHIL SCHLEMME - GENERAL COMMITTEE Phil is a strong advocate for process over politics, and ideas not ideology – hallmarks of the Voices movement. Phil has been involved in several community campaigns and is passionate about communication and engagement. After residing in several other electorates such as Kooyong and Indi, where he has experienced first-hand the benefit of community engagement and representation, he has now moved to Toora and hopes to achieve the same for the Monash electorate. |
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There are a couple of general committee positions still vacant. If you would like to get more involved, please email us at voicesformonash@gmail.com |
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If someone has forwarded you this email, you can sign-up to receive one directly to your inbox here. If you'd like to get more involved, email us at voices4monash@gmail.com and let us know how you’d like to be part of this growing movement for citizen democracy. |
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Voices for Monash acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we meet and work, including the lands of the Boonwurrung, Bunurong and Gunai Kurnai people, and other Aboriginal lands and nations within this country. We pay our respects to the elders of these lands, past and present, and acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded. |
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