Election 2020

Old hands, fresh faces on new council

7/11/2020

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2020-24 Bass Coast Shire Council

Bunurong Ward

* Brett Tessari

Leticia Laing

* Les Larke

Island Ward

* Michael Whelan

Ron Bauer

David Rooks

Western Port Ward

* Bruce Kent

Rochelle Halstead

* Clare Le Serve

By Catherine Watson

FIVE sitting councillors have been re-elected to the new Bass Coast Shire Council, bucking the trend of the past two elections where only a single councillor survived the poll.

The VEC declared the poll at midday yesterday and the new council will be sworn in on Monday.

In Bunurong, where five candidates contested three positions, former Bass Coast mayor Brett Tessari took out almost half of the first preference votes.

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The election count

30/10/2020

Eight of Bass Coast Shire’s new councillors have been decided but one position hangs in the balance.

The VEC released preliminary results for Bunurong and Island Ward on Friday and for Western Port Ward on Monday.

In Bunurong, where five candidates are contesting three positions, former Bass Coast mayor Brett Tessari took out almost half of the first preference votes.

New candidate Leticia Laing is almost certain to take the second position, but the third position is too close to call. The distribution of preferences from Cr Tessari’s excess votes will determine which of the other three candidates – sitting councillors Les Larke or Julian Brown or new candidate Michael Nugent – secures the final spot.

Les Larke Q&A

1/10/2020

Les Larke, Bunurong Ward

Where do you live?
Wonthaggi.

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
My family has lived permanently in Bass Coast since mid-1970s, firstly Cape Paterson then Wonthaggi and Inverloch. I have three children and four young grandchildren, and have resided in Wonthaggi for the past 9 years.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
Volunteer and lead person campaigning since 2013 to Save and Preserve Wonthaggi Cemetery.
Also involved in Rose Lodge (Wonthaggi Aged Care Facility) activities for the benefit of residents.

Michael Nugent Q&A

28/9/2020

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Michael Nugent, Bunurong Ward

Where do you live?
Cape Paterson

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
My grandparents met and married in newly-founded Wonthaggi during the 1910s. My father grew up here. I was born in Geelong but moved back to Bass Coast, to Cape Paterson, over 3 years ago.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
When the children were young I was, e.g., treasurer of their scout group, on the school planning group, and a committee member of the preventative drug education program Life Ed.
In my professional life I have volunteered as member or chair of many committees, mostly for Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and CPA Australia, but also Standards Australia, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants. I was also vice chair of the Global Sustainability Standards Board, and a member of Monash University’s Accounting Advisory Committee.

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Brett Tessari Q&A

27/9/2020

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Brett Tessari, Bunurong Ward

Where do you live?
Wonthaggi.

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
All my life.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
Wonthaggi Power Football Club - president of the for six years, committee member for over 10 years.
Relay for Life
Centenary of the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine.
Rotary

Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes, I was elected to the Bass Coast Shire Council in 2016.

Do you belong to a political party?
No.

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Mikhaela Barlow Q&A

26/9/2020

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Mikhaela Barlow, Island Ward

Where do you live?
I grew up in Cowes, but after a housefire and eviction, moved to Cape Woolamai.

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
My whole life—I’ve never lived anywhere else. I’ve never actually lived off Phillip Island.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
I’ve volunteered at the Vietnam Veterans’ Museum, both in the café and cataloguing, as well as volunteering for the MIF Visitor’s Scheme.
I was also involved in the Anti-Desal Campaign.
I’ve been working with the homeless for the past 5 years, and during that time I have been successful in finding houses for half a dozen homeless people.

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Ash Belsar Q&A

25/9/2020

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Ash Belsar, Island Ward

Where do you live?
Sunset Strip

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
Since 1991.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either
in Bass Coast or another area?
Volunteered at many youth camps when I was younger. In recent years helped at the local Baptist church with music and other activities. I’ve been involved with the Great Victorian Fish, held annually in the Bass Coast, count since its inception.

Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes.

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Michael Whelan Q&A

25/9/2020

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Michael Whelan, Island Ward

Where do you live?
Cowes Island Ward

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
A residence here for 25 years permanently 2009

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
CFA volunteer, Surf Beach Community Park Committee, South Coast Community Planning, Founder Bass Coast Acoustic Music Club

Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
Yes, 2016 for Bass Coast Shire Council (elected)

Do you belong to a political party?
No.

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Jeni Jobe Q&A

25/9/2020

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Jeni Jobe - Island Ward

Where do you live?
I live in San Remo, looking out over Phillip Island.

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I was born in Warley Hospital, Cowes in 1972. I went to kinder and school at Cowes Primary and high school at Newhaven college.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
Since 2013 I have contributed to many local groups and organisations. I know the difference quality graphics can make to get the message out there, so I either donate the work or invoice at highly reduced rates. I celebrate the work our community groups do and contribute the best way I can.

Totally Renewable Phillip Island
Energy Innovation Co-operative
Newhaven Primary School - my kids' school
Boomerang Bags Phillip Island and San Remo 2015

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Leticia Laing Q&A

25/9/2020

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Leticia Laing, Bunurong Ward

Where do you live?
I live in Cape Paterson.

How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
Almost five years.

What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in Bass Coast or another area?
Currently:
Current secretary of the Nature Adventures Playgroup
Core group member of Bass Coast Climate Action Network.
Media coordinator for Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club
Current member of the Wonthaggi Primary School Council (general member)

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