Brett Tessari with friend, mentor and former mayor Pam Rothfield Bass Coast Post: Two terms as deputy mayor, three as mayor – you’ve decided that’s enough?
Brett Tessari: I have. I loved being mayor. I love the prestige, I love representing the community, but it’s time to give someone else a chance. I’m just about sick of hearing myself talk and it’s time for another voice. I’ve had a lot of people thanking me for my service, which blew me away. The support has been overwhelming. But I’m sort of worn down with the few people in the community that are constantly at you. It’s just constant, to try and bring the council down, and you as mayor. It’s for no community benefit whatsoever. It just wears you down. I’m getting bitterer and angrier than I should. They’ve probably worn me down and it’s time to step back.
Brett Tessari: I have. I loved being mayor. I love the prestige, I love representing the community, but it’s time to give someone else a chance. I’m just about sick of hearing myself talk and it’s time for another voice. I’ve had a lot of people thanking me for my service, which blew me away. The support has been overwhelming. But I’m sort of worn down with the few people in the community that are constantly at you. It’s just constant, to try and bring the council down, and you as mayor. It’s for no community benefit whatsoever. It just wears you down. I’m getting bitterer and angrier than I should. They’ve probably worn me down and it’s time to step back.
That aspect's disappointing because I’m so proud of what the council has done over the past five years. The community has achieved so much.
BCP: What pleases you most?
BT: I’m incredibly proud of the university hub in Wonthaggi. Every time I drive past that I’m filled with pride because that started from nothing. We were hoping to have 100 students at the end of three years. There’s over 90 students in there already!
BCP: What pleases you most?
BT: I’m incredibly proud of the university hub in Wonthaggi. Every time I drive past that I’m filled with pride because that started from nothing. We were hoping to have 100 students at the end of three years. There’s over 90 students in there already!
Doing the honours at the formal opening of the university hub in Wonthaggi in 2020.
The Cowes Cultural Centre. For us to take the bold step a couple of years ago – to decide to proceed and to chase money retrospectively – I’m so proud we made the call. We let the tender just the other day. In years to come, when I'm done and dusted, I’ll take my grandchildren over there and show them what we did.
Declaring a climate emergency. When Michael [Cr Michael Whelan] first raised the issue he had to talk me into it. I wasn’t quite ready for it. But the more I looked at it the more it made sense. I’m so proud we made that call and of the work we’ve done on Bass Coast’s climate action plan.
BCP: What did you hope to achieve as a councillor?
BT: So many of the last council came in with an agenda. I think they would agree – the agenda was against the establishment – and most of them quickly realised that the view from the inside looking out is completely different from the view from the outside looking in. They realised that to get things done you work as a team, which includes the staff, and we achieve a lot more.
It’s an amazing role as a councillor because you work together and you forge some very strong friendships. I was so lucky to have Pam Rothfield as mayor in my first term. I’d never even heard of her five years ago. She taught me so much. Now I consider her a mentor and a very close and dear friend.
I’d never heard of Stephen Fullarton five years ago and now he’s a close friend. You look at the current group with Clare Le Serve and Michael Whelan, who’s been an amazing deputy mayor. There’s a lot of good memories as mayor. I’ve had such amazing support.
Declaring a climate emergency. When Michael [Cr Michael Whelan] first raised the issue he had to talk me into it. I wasn’t quite ready for it. But the more I looked at it the more it made sense. I’m so proud we made that call and of the work we’ve done on Bass Coast’s climate action plan.
BCP: What did you hope to achieve as a councillor?
BT: So many of the last council came in with an agenda. I think they would agree – the agenda was against the establishment – and most of them quickly realised that the view from the inside looking out is completely different from the view from the outside looking in. They realised that to get things done you work as a team, which includes the staff, and we achieve a lot more.
It’s an amazing role as a councillor because you work together and you forge some very strong friendships. I was so lucky to have Pam Rothfield as mayor in my first term. I’d never even heard of her five years ago. She taught me so much. Now I consider her a mentor and a very close and dear friend.
I’d never heard of Stephen Fullarton five years ago and now he’s a close friend. You look at the current group with Clare Le Serve and Michael Whelan, who’s been an amazing deputy mayor. There’s a lot of good memories as mayor. I’ve had such amazing support.
New Bass Coast councillors, 2016
With the first council [2016-20], Pam led it at the start. Five years ago we went out for dinner with our partners before we even started and we built that rapport straight away.
This time I was in charge with trying to bring the group together. It’s been harder because we’ve come together on screen. Bang, you’re into a meeting, then “Stay safe everyone” and bang, you’re out. I get a lot tireder and a lot more drained. Because I thrive off other people’s energy and you can’t get that on screen.
I’m really looking forward to having that opportunity to get together and just have a chat about things outside of council, to get to know what’s happening with other councillors in their family life.
This time I was in charge with trying to bring the group together. It’s been harder because we’ve come together on screen. Bang, you’re into a meeting, then “Stay safe everyone” and bang, you’re out. I get a lot tireder and a lot more drained. Because I thrive off other people’s energy and you can’t get that on screen.
I’m really looking forward to having that opportunity to get together and just have a chat about things outside of council, to get to know what’s happening with other councillors in their family life.
New Bass Coast councillors 2020
BCP: You’ve changed a lot since you started. Can you describe yourself as a new councillor back in 2016.
BT: I would say I was arrogant, not in a smart-arse sort of a way but my little bubble was very comfortable. I had the footy club, my family life was good, life was pretty good. But I very quickly learnt … when I met a young girl who wanted to finish school. She was living at the Miners Rest caravan park, she was just trying to make a life for herself and being at the caravan park was her best situation because home was difficult. That smashed me between the eyes and made me realise that sometimes you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. It made me realise – just be a bit more understanding. I had heated discussions with locals who said how happy they were to see the end of the Miners Rest Caravan park and good riddance to all of the people in there. When I said “Hang on a minute … where are they going to live now?” It’s made me appreciate that a lot more.
BT: I would say I was arrogant, not in a smart-arse sort of a way but my little bubble was very comfortable. I had the footy club, my family life was good, life was pretty good. But I very quickly learnt … when I met a young girl who wanted to finish school. She was living at the Miners Rest caravan park, she was just trying to make a life for herself and being at the caravan park was her best situation because home was difficult. That smashed me between the eyes and made me realise that sometimes you don’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. It made me realise – just be a bit more understanding. I had heated discussions with locals who said how happy they were to see the end of the Miners Rest Caravan park and good riddance to all of the people in there. When I said “Hang on a minute … where are they going to live now?” It’s made me appreciate that a lot more.
I think I appreciate other things a lot more. A perfect example is our natural environment. I never took the time to appreciate that. Now I do. The simple things are a lot more important to me. My son had a stroke early in my first term and my family were front and centre. Eventually you’ve got to grow up and mature. I really think this job has helped me do that.
BCP: I guess you were mixing with people you hadn’t mixed with before? People who were interested in social justice and the environment.
BT: Through Geoff [Cr Geoff Ellis] I met Sally [LGTQI elder Conning]. I learnt about First Nations people. I’ve had conversations with Patrice Mahoney and Safina Stewart and Aunty Dosina Fergie and Uncle Anthony. You become more appreciative of that. You’ve got to be willing to cop it on the chin but you learn as you go. I’ve certainly grown a hell of a lot. Into a better person, I think. I prefer where I am now to where I was.
BCP: I guess you were mixing with people you hadn’t mixed with before? People who were interested in social justice and the environment.
BT: Through Geoff [Cr Geoff Ellis] I met Sally [LGTQI elder Conning]. I learnt about First Nations people. I’ve had conversations with Patrice Mahoney and Safina Stewart and Aunty Dosina Fergie and Uncle Anthony. You become more appreciative of that. You’ve got to be willing to cop it on the chin but you learn as you go. I’ve certainly grown a hell of a lot. Into a better person, I think. I prefer where I am now to where I was.
Bass Coast flies the rainbow flag, 2021.
| BCP: No one would have accused you of being a greenie before you were elected. What do your friends make of the change? BT: I haven’t copped too much, to be honest. A few have little digs. But I see myself as a socially aware greenie. If we can avoid a tree, let’s avoid it whereas previously I probably would have said just knock the tree over. I have a greater desire to look after our environment. It’s our economy. I’ve said that so many times. At the start, did I believe it? Probably not. Now I do. If we don’’t look after our environment our economy’s in strife. BCP: Wonthaggi today is a very different place from the Wonthaggi of five years ago when you got onto the council. | The mayor's last gasp Brett Tessari’s last official act as mayor is to take part in a charity run to raise funds to buy core pulse machines for local ambos. Metro paramedics are supplied with these machines – which do CPR compressions – but not regional and rural ambos. The machines cost $21,000 each. Brett will run for an hour, attempting to reach 10 kilometres, at the Wonthaggi Plaza on Saturday, November 13. “I’ve nearly got one machine covered before I start. I’m asking community residents and businesses to sponsor me, either per kilometre, or just make a donation. And that’ll be my last gasp as mayor.” Email Brett.Tessari@basscoast.vic.gov.au or contact him on Facebook. |
BT: It’s just “Hang on!” at the moment. Our team are working so hard to get in front of the game but it’s happening so fast it’s really tough. When I first got on council I think we had an estimated 30 years of land supply. If that lasts five years I’ll be amazed. It’s just going so quick. I’m excited by it, I really am, but also nervous. The house price rises are insane. My house value has gone up 150 per cent in four years. That’s awesome but the only ones that are prospering are real estate agents. I’m really concerned at land prices at the moment.
BCP: Speaking of that, what next for you – are you going back into real estate?
BT: I’d like not to. It’s always there for me to go back to. Now that I’m finishing up as mayor I have to do something. I’ve got to earn a dollar. I’m looking at options
BCP: Your CV would look pretty impressive these days.
BT: More impressive than it was when I started! This role has given me amazing opportunities.. I would like to ease into something else where I can choose what hours I put in because I’ve still got a commitment to represent the community at council meetings and I’m on other boards that take up time. Who would have thought – 52 years old and I have to re-evaluate what my next chapter will be. That’s rather exciting!
BCP: Speaking of that, what next for you – are you going back into real estate?
BT: I’d like not to. It’s always there for me to go back to. Now that I’m finishing up as mayor I have to do something. I’ve got to earn a dollar. I’m looking at options
BCP: Your CV would look pretty impressive these days.
BT: More impressive than it was when I started! This role has given me amazing opportunities.. I would like to ease into something else where I can choose what hours I put in because I’ve still got a commitment to represent the community at council meetings and I’m on other boards that take up time. Who would have thought – 52 years old and I have to re-evaluate what my next chapter will be. That’s rather exciting!