Nominations

For over 20 years, Kingston has been home to my family. As a proud parent of two children, dog owner, community volunteer and member of both Primary and Secondary School Councils for nine years, I understand what matters most to local families. As an Occupational Health and Safety professional and community advocate, twice nominated for Kingston’s Woman of the Year and once for Citizen of the Year, I have spent years listening to residents and working to make our community safer, stronger and more connected. I am standing for Council because I believe Kingston deserves practical leadership, integrity and a clear focus on local priorities. I will advocate for sustainable growth that protects our green spaces, upgraded parks and sporting facilities, support for local businesses and vibrant shopping precincts, improved roads, traffic management and parking, and affordable childcare and kindergarten services. I am also committed to helping families through the cost-of-living crisis by supporting responsible Council spending, increasing pensioner assistance, tackling illegal dumping, improving access to aged care and mental health services, and creating a more inclusive community. Together, we can build a safer, greener and more connected Kingston. Vote 1 Nikki Kaur and fill the other boxes as preferred.

Melaleuca residents have been without a voice on Council for nearly two years. This by-election is our chance to restore strong, genuine local representation. As a Melaleuca resident, I understand the issues because I live them every day. I’m standing as a practical, independent voice for our community — because party politics don't belong in local council. I will fight for sensible development that protects neighbourhood character and ensures infrastructure keeps pace with growth. I will demand responsible spending, real value for money, and genuine transparency so residents know how decisions are made. My experience in civil construction and water infrastructure gives me the knowledge to properly scrutinise Council projects & deliver outcomes that actually benefit residents. As a wildlife rescuer, I am committed to protecting our green wedge, parks and open spaces from overdevelopment and preserving Kingston’s liveability. Having survived a recent violent carjacking, I understand the impact of crime and antisocial behaviour. I will push for stronger police action to improve community safety in our streets and public spaces. I will also tackle traffic congestion and road safety — particularly on McDonald Street — and fix local flooding and drainage issues. Vote 1 Louise Black for results this time in Melaleuca.

Warm welcome from life-long Kingston resident, Peter Brown: This by-election should be a catalyst which brings a stronger focus: Councillors need to work better together to achieve outcomes which benefit the whole municipality. I am seeking your support to work as a Council team member to advance the interests of Melaleuca Ward and all Kingston ratepayers. My professional skills and training include Commerce and Law degrees from Melbourne University, and a Masters in Law from Monash University specialising in administrative and criminal law, plus many years' experience as a secondary school teacher including at Parkdale Secondary College. We recognise the challenges currently facing Kingston Council. Council must resist demands to impose the purple, third big bin at a cost of several million dollars and high annual operating costs. Recyclers have capacity and capability of separating glass from paper. Wasted millions of our money are not necessary to do this. Council’s development issues primarily stem from overdevelopment, traffic congestion, loss of community input. Too many local planning decisions bypass Council and are determined by VCAT. Council must be active in applying the protection provisions of our Kingston Structure Plan especially Parkdale and "Mordialloc-Aspendale Urban Design Framework". Pride of the Bay.

The community of Melaleuca has been incredibly good to me. I want to give back. Council needs a strong voice of reason and non-partisan. Value for money to the rate payer. Timely services, opportunities of local employment and support for local businesses to grow, a community that feels safe and lower rates to people most in need. I will seek your constant feedback and advocate for good governance while focusing on solutions. Recognise economic challenges, engage with local businesses to enhance our local economy, improve vital services, and help preserve the environment. I have been working since the age of 19, married for 32 years with two kids. After university and 11 years in managing hospitality and office automation services, I found my passion in the Melbourne Train Network. From learning to teaching, I bring valuable experience in managing demanding situations, keeping focused, connecting with people, and getting the job done. I seek your trust to build 'Your vison for Our city' and provide me with your priorities come July. I will always carry your opinion to council. Please consider putting Bronwyn 2 and complete all other boxes. Contact me on LDM4Kingston@gmail.com or 0478531499. Help Llew to help You!

I have been the butcher in Parkdale for a great many years. I’ve gotten to know thousands of people in our community, and I hear what matters most to them, their concerns, their dreams and their hopes. I’ve watched their kids grow up and have families of their own. My business is a hub of local activity. It has been my honour and privilege to be part of this great community. I’m running in this election because we need a Council that works for us, instead of us working for them. Politics has taken over Kingston. They’ve taken their eye off the ball, wasting our money and pushing things we don’t want. Our local families are doing it tough. They work hard to pay some of the highest rates in Victoria. And what do we get in return? More fees, more fines and shocking waste. We’re over-governed. I support the underdog. I believe in giving people a fair go and I’m no stranger to hard work. How about a Councilor who’s available every day across the butcher shop counter? Not a bad idea. Could be worse. Vote 1 Glenn Dumbrell and fill in other boxes with your preferences.

I believe strong local leadership starts with getting back to basics - listening closely, being present and focusing on the practical things that make everyday life better. I’m a proud Parkdale local, a father of two young children and someone who cares about our community. Having lived here for many years, I understand the real pressures facing families, commuters and small businesses. I’m currently studying to become a paramedic, driven by a commitment to practical service and supporting people when they need it most. Through my studies and community involvement, I’ve built strong connections across Kingston and developed a deep appreciation for the grounded, community-minded spirit that defines our area. I’m passionate about strengthening local infrastructure, supporting safe and vibrant neighbourhoods and ensuring community voices are genuinely heard. I bring energy, integrity and a fresh, practical perspective to any role I take on. Above all, I’m committed to serving Melaleuca Ward with honesty, respect and a focus on meaningful, common-sense outcomes - working collaboratively with residents, community groups and local organisations to support a stronger, more connected community.

I'm running in Melaleuca to show that the councillor role can be done differently. If elected, I will return a significant portion of my councillor allowance to the community: over two years, giving $50,000 to local support groups who provide food relief and winter blankets, and to junior football, cricket and netball clubs, other sporting groups, and local U3A and seniors clubs. For years, I have seen council and councillor priorities miss the mark. Early in my career, I worked in local government doing hands-on jobs such as mowing lawns, driving trucks, pruning and planting trees, and collecting rubbish. I then spent 25 years organising activities for seniors and coordinating major seniors’ festival events. These experiences have shown me what council priorities should be, and I will speak out against wasteful agendas that do not pass ‘the pub test’. I know I will not change everything overnight, but I believe a different approach, and a stronger focus on unity within council, can make a difference. If you want to be part of a journey that benefits the community, I ask for your vote. If you prefer another candidate, please consider giving me your second preference. Cheers, Gavin.

Make our streets safe and our communities thrive. This sums up why I’m running for Kingston Council to make our neighbourhoods the best places to live, work and raise a family. My wife and I have lived in Parkdale for forty-two years; our two sons attended local public primary and secondary schools. With 25 years of experience at Monash University, including Head of Criminology, and with 5 years employment at the Victoria Police Academy, I believe that Kingston Council needs to support our young people and to concentrate on community safety. I have been involved in local cricket for 40 years, including a decade as captain-coach of the Old Mentonians Cricket Club, and am the voluntary convenor of Criminology classes at U3A Kingston; such commitments demonstrate a practical and lasting connection and dedication to community welfare. Active neighbourhoods can be fostered where every generation is supported and empowered. I’m committed to supporting local recreation and arts, strengthening connections through schools, libraries and sporting clubs and championing community wellbeing. Please vote 1 for David Baker and then for Bronwyn Currie for a progressive council fostering a safer, more vibrant local area. Dr David Baker, PhD, MA, BA (Hons), DipEd

I am proud to be standing as a candidate for Melaleuca Ward in the Kingston Council by-election. As a former Member of Victorian Parliament, Chartered Accountant and small business owner I bring a strong record of community involvement and practical experience. Most importantly, I am a local resident who cares deeply about our community. I have a long connection to the local area being born at the former Mordialloc Hospital and attending St John Vianney’s Primary School. I live in Parkdale and remain actively involved in community life. As a father of three daughters and a proud grandfather, I understand the importance of great local services and community facilities. Every Thursday I look after my two-year-old granddaughter, Pippa. Our visits to the library, parks, cafés and beach remind me how important council services are in supporting families and creating connected communities. I have firsthand appreciation of the vital role quality services play in supporting older residents with my 90-year-old mother living at Parkdale Aged Care. If elected, I will focus on responsible financial management, protecting and improving local amenities, supporting local businesses, and ensuring Kingston remains a great place for families, seniors and future generations. Experienced. Energetic. Committed to Kingston.

A graduate of Melbourne University, I built a decades-long career in a competitive industry where success depends on understanding people, solving problems under pressure, and leading teams to deliver complex projects. Working on some of Australia’s most successful television productions, I have managed teams and competing priorities, mentored emerging practitioners, delivered results, and maintained strict budget discipline. As a business owner since 1999, I understand the realities of managing finances in uncertain times. Freelancers and small business owners know that prosperity can quickly be followed by lean periods, making careful budgeting, planning, and financial discipline essential. For the past decade, Kingston has been my home. Beyond my professional life, I volunteer on the Board of Management of the Mordialloc Theatre Company, helping strengthen community connections, create opportunities for creatives, volunteers and audiences, and successfully secured charitable status for the organisation. Strong communities need both responsible financial management and vibrant cultural opportunities. However, every investment must be balanced against the need to deliver essential services and value for ratepayers. My experience in leadership, communication, governance, financial oversight and community engagement has prepared me to be a strong advocate for residents and help build a thriving, inclusive and connected Kingston.

Back to Basics: Rates, Roads, Rubbish and Respect. Kingston Council should focus on the basics, delivering value to ratepayers and families with a local councillor who listens and then acts. Melaleuca Ward deserves strong representation, sensible decision making and a cohesive council doing what you and your family need. My extensive experience of: public service; consultancy; family business management; board director and; a long history of involvement in community and volunteer organisations will help get Council back on track. Life has taught me accountability, practical leadership and working with everyone is important. Safe neighbourhoods, reliable services, well maintained roads, quality parks and responsible financial management are not extras. They’re the core responsibilities the council. As a parent and community advocate, the issues that matter to local families, seniors, businesses and residents are important to me. If given the great honour of being elected, I’ll be accessible, transparent and only focused on you, not destructive politics. I’ll listen carefully, represent residents fairly and work hard to ensure community voices are heard. Like you, I’m committed to delivering common sense management and solutions. Please consider putting Llewellyn Dixon-Mason 2. Contact me bronwyncurrie4kingston@gmail.com 0458559789. Back to Basics.

My name’s Joe Crupi and I’m running for Council as an independent. My focus is to get Kingston back to the basics. I was born and raised in the area, I attended Parkdale Secondary College, and I own a small business. It’s not often you get a second chance Melaleuca. We need genuine, stable representation and that is why I have put my hand up. What we don’t need is another dishonest, fake independent that is Labor aligned who is more concerned about living a lavish lifestyle on the ratepayers’ pocket then providing our community with the service and support we deserve. Council needs to stop unessential spending and direct funds to fixing potholes, making small business easier to run, and expanding services for our most vulnerable in the community, such as the elderly. Kingston Council increasing rates without passing on any more value to the ratepayer is unacceptable at a time when their own data says 20% of residents struggle put food on the table. I stand for protecting our neighbourhood character from inappropriate over development, safety, responsible financial management, connectivity and liveability, reducing red tape, and disability support. Vote 1: Joe Crupi Vote 2: Gavin Nolan!

Kingston Council has spent too much time on infighting and not enough time getting things done. It's time for strong leadership, clear priorities, and practical results. After raising two daughters in Parkdale over the past 20 years, I know what matters to local families because I've lived it. Residents want safe streets, reliable services, and a Council focused on the community not political agendas. My priorities are straightforward: better parking in Mordialloc, cleaner streets through graffiti removal, improved rubbish collection, well maintained roads, quality parks, and responsible financial management. These are not ambitious promises they are Council's core responsibilities. With experience in public service, consulting, family business, board governance, and community organisations, I know how to make decisions, balance budgets, and deliver outcomes. Melaleuca Ward deserves a councillor who will lead with common sense, stand up for residents, and hold Council accountable. If elected, I will be visible, accessible, and focused on one thing: delivering results for our community. Less politics. More action. Better outcomes for Melaleuca. Talk to me at lockie.mcd@gmail.com or 0400070350