Listen to the evidence, not social media, and remember it’s not a popularity contest … retiring councillor and former mayor has some advice for aspiring councillors.
Cr Michael Whelan Bass Coast Post: When you decided to stand for the Bass Coast Council in 2016, what did you hope to achieve? Have you achieved it?
Michael Whelan: As you know I wrote an article about giving back and contributing to the community when you have the benefit of senior experience. It wasn’t about me but it applied equally to me.
I was also reacting to the aggressive behaviour of the people behind the Stand Alone campaign on Phillip Island. I wanted to call out and test the claims they were making. My aims in Council grew with the job and I am pleased that I have achieved what I set out to achieve. I’m particularly proud of Berninneit and the climate action leadership Bass Coast has provided.
Michael Whelan: As you know I wrote an article about giving back and contributing to the community when you have the benefit of senior experience. It wasn’t about me but it applied equally to me.
I was also reacting to the aggressive behaviour of the people behind the Stand Alone campaign on Phillip Island. I wanted to call out and test the claims they were making. My aims in Council grew with the job and I am pleased that I have achieved what I set out to achieve. I’m particularly proud of Berninneit and the climate action leadership Bass Coast has provided.
Post: What surprised you most about the job?
MW: That you could get things done. This was in the face of “the Island never got anything”, etc. Well, I think the record shows otherwise.
Post: Were you bailed up about council business in the supermarket?
MW: In town, at a gallery and sometimes I was approached during music gigs. I must admit my response to the first time and the last had hardened somewhat.
Post: Were you ever abused or threatened?
MW: Yes. By an aggressive man shouting at me from his 4WD, on the phone, and twice in Council briefings.
Post: What was the hardest decision you had to make as a councillor?
MW: I don’t rate anything as the hardest. Nothing has stuck with me.
MW: That you could get things done. This was in the face of “the Island never got anything”, etc. Well, I think the record shows otherwise.
Post: Were you bailed up about council business in the supermarket?
MW: In town, at a gallery and sometimes I was approached during music gigs. I must admit my response to the first time and the last had hardened somewhat.
Post: Were you ever abused or threatened?
MW: Yes. By an aggressive man shouting at me from his 4WD, on the phone, and twice in Council briefings.
Post: What was the hardest decision you had to make as a councillor?
MW: I don’t rate anything as the hardest. Nothing has stuck with me.
Post: What was the most difficult aspect of the job?
MW: Respecting, or at least tolerating, opinion offered over fact. I base my position on evidence, something that is in good supply given the work of the officers and my own research. I get cross when it is rejected in favour of a position based on opinion or ideology, or when a councillor seeks to interpose themselves into operational matters.
Post: What was your proudest moment as a councillor?
MW: A toss-up between Bass Coast’s declaration of the climate emergency and the opening of Berninneit – I continue to be proud of both.
MW: Respecting, or at least tolerating, opinion offered over fact. I base my position on evidence, something that is in good supply given the work of the officers and my own research. I get cross when it is rejected in favour of a position based on opinion or ideology, or when a councillor seeks to interpose themselves into operational matters.
Post: What was your proudest moment as a councillor?
MW: A toss-up between Bass Coast’s declaration of the climate emergency and the opening of Berninneit – I continue to be proud of both.
Post: What was your biggest disappointment?
MW: Council made a couple of bad decisions during my time but I am satisfied that Council has been generally sound and progressive, sticking to its governance role over my eight years.
Post: How arduous was the job? How much time did it take? What did you have to give up to do it?
MW: It requires a strong commitment beyond the remuneration offered to be a councillor. I probably put in over 20 hours a week, and much more during my time as Mayor. I gave up golf, my garden suffered and so, to some extent, did my health as I sat on my bottom too much at a computer, briefings, etc.
Post: Overall, was it an enjoyable experience?
MW: No. I didn’t do it for enjoyment, but it is rewarding if you can see that things are being achieved – there is plenty of opportunity for that at Bass Coast as we have a very competent and innovative team of officers.
Post: Any advice for someone weighing up whether to stand?
MW: Recognise that you cannot achieve anything in Council without your colleagues. You need to work with them to achieve anything. Set reasonable expectations and be prepared to do the work. Some do not but they tend not to achieve much.
Understand that the role is similar to a board: you don’t run the show but manage the governance of the organisation. Be prepared to separate your private life from council often, to switch off from social media and the local media, otherwise the noise is distracting. There are many opinions out there some. Usually the loudest and most persistent are not worth much. It is your job to be guided by the evidence. It is a leadership role, not a popularity contest.
Michael Whelan has been a Bass Coast councillor, representing the Island Ward, for two terms from 2016 to 2024. He was Bass Coast Mayor from 2021-23.
MW: Council made a couple of bad decisions during my time but I am satisfied that Council has been generally sound and progressive, sticking to its governance role over my eight years.
Post: How arduous was the job? How much time did it take? What did you have to give up to do it?
MW: It requires a strong commitment beyond the remuneration offered to be a councillor. I probably put in over 20 hours a week, and much more during my time as Mayor. I gave up golf, my garden suffered and so, to some extent, did my health as I sat on my bottom too much at a computer, briefings, etc.
Post: Overall, was it an enjoyable experience?
MW: No. I didn’t do it for enjoyment, but it is rewarding if you can see that things are being achieved – there is plenty of opportunity for that at Bass Coast as we have a very competent and innovative team of officers.
Post: Any advice for someone weighing up whether to stand?
MW: Recognise that you cannot achieve anything in Council without your colleagues. You need to work with them to achieve anything. Set reasonable expectations and be prepared to do the work. Some do not but they tend not to achieve much.
Understand that the role is similar to a board: you don’t run the show but manage the governance of the organisation. Be prepared to separate your private life from council often, to switch off from social media and the local media, otherwise the noise is distracting. There are many opinions out there some. Usually the loudest and most persistent are not worth much. It is your job to be guided by the evidence. It is a leadership role, not a popularity contest.
Michael Whelan has been a Bass Coast councillor, representing the Island Ward, for two terms from 2016 to 2024. He was Bass Coast Mayor from 2021-23.