A NEW face has entered the fray for the upcoming local government elections – 28-year-old Merbein resident Carli Leishman.
Contesting the Millewa ward, Ms Leishman is the secretary of the Merbein Development Association, and an evaluation and quality lead for Diabetes Victoria.
She said she was compelled to run for council after a community petition calling for improved pedestrian safety at Merbein was met with silence at the June council meeting.
“Councillors were asked if anyone wanted to speak in support of our petition, nobody spoke up,” Ms Leishman said.
“Pedestrian safety is a huge issue, it came through on the community plan as one of the absolute major themes, and it was a missed opportunity.
“Council could have really taken on that advocacy for us and really acknowledged and validated how important this issue was, and they didn’t.
“Then I thought, well if they’re not going to, I’m going to have to stand up and throw my hat in the ring and do it myself.”
She said the Merbein community deserved a strong community representative, one that would speak up when a petition including 497 signatures was being considered.
Ms Leishman moved from Melbourne to Sunraysia in 2019, and has taken on numerous volunteer roles during her five years in the region.
She said her volunteer role with the Merbein Development Association had given her a strong understanding of the priorities for the local area community.
“I’m out there surveying community members about the skate park upgrade, getting people to sign our petition, organising the Merbein Australia Day breakfast and awards, I’m out there in the community and listening to what our community wants,” she said.
She also participated in a Women Leading Locally fellowship program from August 2022 to August 2023, to learn more about community leadership and governance.
Ms Leishman was undeterred by the size of the Millewa Ward, which takes in a 4675 square kilometre area, stretching from Yelta to Lindsay Point.
“It’s not really about what I think are the priorities, it’s about what the community thinks are the priorities, and my job if I’m elected is just to elevate that voice and to advocate,” she said.
“I’m going to have to get out there and head out to the small farming communities, head to the Werrimull pub, and chat to as many residents as I can.
She said with the retirements of several councillors in October, there was an opportunity to refresh the deck.
“I would love to see some more fresh faces nominating for council and hopefully being elected at this coming election,” she said.
