Caitlyn Robertson is a candidate in the Bunurong Ward. 1. Where do you live?
I call Inverloch home and it’s where I live, work, and raise my daughter.
2. How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I am the sixth generation of my family living in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland. My parents live in Cape Paterson, I live in Inverloch, my grandparents were Korumburra locals, and my great grandfather worked here at the Wonthaggi Coal Mine. My family have been involved in this community for a long time, and I want to build on their legacies of
contributing to the community that I’m proud to live in.
3. What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in
Bass Coast or another area?
Since my daughter started school here in Inverloch, I have been an active member of the school council and am now joint Vice President. I am proud to be able to contribute to our local school, and help it to be the best place for our children to play, learn, and grow. I love helping out at the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club supporting the families in the Nippers program every summer, and I support the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club when I can too.
I call Inverloch home and it’s where I live, work, and raise my daughter.
2. How long have you lived in Bass Coast?
I am the sixth generation of my family living in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland. My parents live in Cape Paterson, I live in Inverloch, my grandparents were Korumburra locals, and my great grandfather worked here at the Wonthaggi Coal Mine. My family have been involved in this community for a long time, and I want to build on their legacies of
contributing to the community that I’m proud to live in.
3. What is your previous community involvement (voluntary work or membership), either in
Bass Coast or another area?
Since my daughter started school here in Inverloch, I have been an active member of the school council and am now joint Vice President. I am proud to be able to contribute to our local school, and help it to be the best place for our children to play, learn, and grow. I love helping out at the Cape Paterson Surf Life Saving Club supporting the families in the Nippers program every summer, and I support the Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club when I can too.
4. What experience or attributes do you bring that will help you in the role of shire
councillor?
In my work, I advise government on the needs of children, young people and families. I am passionate about the important role of governments to improve outcomes for everyone, and believe that I have the understanding of public policy, the knowledge of what’s important for local government to invest their money and resources in to make things better, and the drive to make a difference.
5. Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
This is my first time running for office. I am always speaking to members of our community, and listening to what they say they need and what is missing here. Local government should do more than just the three R’s - for me, it’s about the people that live here. We need better roads and more access to health services that support children and families, and a plan to tackle the impact of coastal erosion, so I decided it was time for me to commit to making a difference by running for Council.
6. Do you belong to a political party?
No, I have never been a member of a political party and am running as an independent fully committed to representing this community.
7. Are you directing preferences?
Everyone’s vote is important and they should have total control over how they direct their preferences. Because I don’t have the backing of a major political party I don’t have the resources that other candidates do, but there are some other great candidates running for council who are genuinely committed to our community.
I would encourage voters to place Leticia Laing number 2 on their ballot cards given she’s worked tirelessly on Council for the last four years, and would encourage voters to place Mat Morgan as number 3. It’s important for everyone to make their own informed decisions about who they vote for, to number every box, and to make sure their vote counts.
8. Name up to five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you believe the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: We deserve to have safe, well maintained roads here on the Bass Coast for locals and visitors alike to use. We have unfortunately been putting up with constant potholes and unsafe roads for too long. Council needs to be committed to investing the time, effort, and resources to improve the condition of our roads, and to maintain them so that they are fit for use now and into the future.
Issue 2: Families need more support in the early years of their child’s life. Maternal and child health services play a vital role in linking families in with the services they need, like support with mental health and wellbeing, breastfeeding, even playgroups and kindergarten programs. I want to see the services that Council currently offer expanded, so that every family can receive the help and support they need, when and where they need it.
Issue 3: We know that coastal erosion is a huge problem that is threatening our beautiful coast line. We need a comprehensive plan that commits local and state government to finding a solution together, especially here in Inverloch, where the longevity of our Surf Life Saving Club is threatened.
9. Name the one thing you would most like to achieve if you are elected a Bass Coast Shire councillor.
I am very proud to be living and raising my daughter here on the Bass Coast, and want to make this the best place in Victoria for families to live. As a councillor, I will work tirelessly to make sure our local government is providing the essential supports that every family needs to thrive, like access to maternal and child health care, mental health services, funded playgroups, and quality education and care services so that families can return to work and their children can receive the best start to life. I care about creating inclusive communities where everyone feels safe, and able to achieve their full potential. We can achieve this together here on the Bass Coast, and help to make our community the healthiest and happiest it can be.
councillor?
In my work, I advise government on the needs of children, young people and families. I am passionate about the important role of governments to improve outcomes for everyone, and believe that I have the understanding of public policy, the knowledge of what’s important for local government to invest their money and resources in to make things better, and the drive to make a difference.
5. Have you stood for election before in local, state or federal government?
This is my first time running for office. I am always speaking to members of our community, and listening to what they say they need and what is missing here. Local government should do more than just the three R’s - for me, it’s about the people that live here. We need better roads and more access to health services that support children and families, and a plan to tackle the impact of coastal erosion, so I decided it was time for me to commit to making a difference by running for Council.
6. Do you belong to a political party?
No, I have never been a member of a political party and am running as an independent fully committed to representing this community.
7. Are you directing preferences?
Everyone’s vote is important and they should have total control over how they direct their preferences. Because I don’t have the backing of a major political party I don’t have the resources that other candidates do, but there are some other great candidates running for council who are genuinely committed to our community.
I would encourage voters to place Leticia Laing number 2 on their ballot cards given she’s worked tirelessly on Council for the last four years, and would encourage voters to place Mat Morgan as number 3. It’s important for everyone to make their own informed decisions about who they vote for, to number every box, and to make sure their vote counts.
8. Name up to five local issues that you consider most important and explain how you believe the council should tackle them.
Issue 1: We deserve to have safe, well maintained roads here on the Bass Coast for locals and visitors alike to use. We have unfortunately been putting up with constant potholes and unsafe roads for too long. Council needs to be committed to investing the time, effort, and resources to improve the condition of our roads, and to maintain them so that they are fit for use now and into the future.
Issue 2: Families need more support in the early years of their child’s life. Maternal and child health services play a vital role in linking families in with the services they need, like support with mental health and wellbeing, breastfeeding, even playgroups and kindergarten programs. I want to see the services that Council currently offer expanded, so that every family can receive the help and support they need, when and where they need it.
Issue 3: We know that coastal erosion is a huge problem that is threatening our beautiful coast line. We need a comprehensive plan that commits local and state government to finding a solution together, especially here in Inverloch, where the longevity of our Surf Life Saving Club is threatened.
9. Name the one thing you would most like to achieve if you are elected a Bass Coast Shire councillor.
I am very proud to be living and raising my daughter here on the Bass Coast, and want to make this the best place in Victoria for families to live. As a councillor, I will work tirelessly to make sure our local government is providing the essential supports that every family needs to thrive, like access to maternal and child health care, mental health services, funded playgroups, and quality education and care services so that families can return to work and their children can receive the best start to life. I care about creating inclusive communities where everyone feels safe, and able to achieve their full potential. We can achieve this together here on the Bass Coast, and help to make our community the healthiest and happiest it can be.