CORREA WARD
Suburbs: Cranbourne North, Cranbourne, Cranbourne East, Clyde North
Candidates: Abdullah Neshat, Tracey Ryan, Gary Rowe, Onkar Singh Sandhawalia, Kanu Aggarwal, Shegofa Naseri
TRACEY RYAN
Suburb of residence: Cranbourne North
How long have you lived in Casey?
Over 35 years
Political party (past and present):
Always voted labour
Occupation, business/employer name:
Housewife, volunteer, director of charity
Property interests:
Owe our home, no other property
Business interests:
none
Three most important issues for your ward:
Crime, roads, rates
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I have not had much to do the Casey community but I do volunteer for a couple of organisations this is a 24/7 “job”. I am also a speaker for National Breast Cancer /Inherited Cancers Australia (formerly known as Pink Hope) and Young Pink Sisters Charity. I am also an unpaid director of Young Pink Sisters Charity.
Why are you standing for election?
Very good question since I am not political at all but I do have something to say and I want to try and improve things here in the City Of Casey.
What is your campaign budget?
Nil – I am not doing flyers or posters just word of mouth
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
None
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
None but I will say Gary Rowe has introduced himself to me.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
Gary Rowe
GARY ROWE
Suburb of Residence: Narre Warren South in excess of 26 years
Political Party:
Previously the State Member for Cranbourne for 10 years 1992 to 2002 for the Liberal Party. Defeated in 2002 by Labor.
Retained active membership for a short time perhaps 5-6 years. I am no longer an active member.
Occupation:
Various Banking and finance rolls, including establishing Bendigo Community banks at Carrum Downs and Marriott Waters. I was initially the Chair of Carrum Downs Financial Service the management of the Community Banks for seven years and then steeped back. I continued as a Director for 3 more years when Bendigo offered me a role within the Bank as a Business Development Manager, I remained in that roll for 10 + years and have recently stepped back and accepted a new role as Board Member responsible for Business and Community Engagement. I am a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and hold a Diploma of Financial Services and I am Registered Company Director
Property Interests: Nil
Business Interests:
No current interest outside my current role and Casey and Cranbourne Community in general.
Three most important issues for Correa Ward:
1. Safety in the Community, as a former VIC Pol member Community Safety in the Home and in the Streets is of the highest priority.
2. Security of Employment and developing a City that welcomes industry and oppurtunity.
3. Extension of the Cranbourne rail Line with the establishment of two to three new stations, A project close to my heart having achieved it from Dandenong to Cranbourne.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
Cranbourne and its communities have always been my love and work for over 30 years, I started As a Councillor for the Shire of Cranbourne, to being the Member for Cranboune in Parliament to a Councillor it has been a huge part of my life, we achieved a lot in the roles I have taken on and there is much more needed with Casey having the highest number of new citizens of many different back grounds.
Why are you standing for election?
There is lots more to me done, Cranbourne and Casey have been a huge part of my adult life and they are will continue to be for many years to come.
What is your campaign budget?
How long is a piece of string, Its what I can provide without impacting the family budget. I have spent just over $6,000 ask me again in two weeks.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
I have none. I do have friends within the community that convinced me to run and are helping with walking the streets.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
I have received no assistant from any MP’s, ex MPs or past Councillors at all.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
You’ll see on the Ballot, but I only have one that is worthy and I don’t know the rest.
SHEGOFA NASERI
Suburb of Residence: Cranbourne East
How long have you lived in Casey?
I have lived in Casey for 2 years.
Political party (past and present):
Standing independent
Occupation, Business/Employer Name:
Community Support Coordinator and Bi-Cultural Support Practitioner
Property Interests:
N/A
Business Interests:
N/A
Three most important issues for your ward:
1. Youth engagement and support
2. Drug addiction and related challenges
3. Road safety and addressing local infrastructure needs
Describe your involvement in the local community:
For over three years, I have been actively involved in the community, working as a Community Support Coordinator and Bi-Cultural Support Practitioner. My experience has given me deep insight into the needs of our community, particularly with our youth. As someone who has grown up here, I am passionate about addressing these needs and providing meaningful support to young people.
Why are you standing for election?
I am standing for election because, as a young person, I want to be a voice for our youth. I’ve seen firsthand the challenges they face, especially around issues like drug addiction and lack of political awareness. My goal is to create opportunities for our youth to learn about how the council works and to encourage their future involvement in local decision-making. I want to ensure that our community’s needs are met and that we have a safe, supportive environment where young people can thrive.
What is your campaign budget?
N/A
Who are your campaign donors? How much has each contributed?
No one donated with my campaign
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs, or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
Mayor Lana has been a great support throughout my journey. She has offered invaluable guidance and provided essential information about the election process.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
(N/A)
ABDULLAH NESHAT
Suburb of residence: Cambourne East
How long have you lived in Casey? Since 2018 years
Political party (past and present): ALP
Occupation, business/employer name: Bright tiling & stone
Property interests: Own our home in Cranbourne East.
Business interests: Small Business Owner, Bright tilling & stone Pty Ltd.
Three most important issues for your ward: commuting, crime and cost of living
Describe your involvement in the local community: I used to be an interpreter with Home Affairs and Centrelink. community interpreting.
Fundraising for bushfire relief in 2020. Founder and former President of Nawin cultural and social associations.
Why are you standing for election?
I am running the council election for integrity, transparency, and addressing key issues that matter to residents. I am committed to ensuring that decisions are made openly, with full accountability, and that the concerns of the community such as infrastructure, safety, and service quality are addressed fairly and responsibly. To make strong local government.
What is your campaign budget?
Around 18k from friends, family and myself.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
My donors will be public and they will donate around $15000k
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
I have received advice from ex councilors Dale Wilson
Who will you direct your preferences to?
I will Direct my preference to Shegofa Naseri.
ONKAR SINGH SANDHAWALIA
Suburb of resident: Cranbourne East.
How long have you lived in Casey?
Been living here since 2016.
Political party (past and present): None so far.
Occupation, business/employer name: Bus Driver & Disability Support Worker.
Property interests: NA
Business interests: NA
Three most important issues for your ward: 1. Crime 2. Network 3. Infrastructure maintenance.
Describe your involvement in the local community: An active dad who is dedicated to sports. Older son plays for soccer club and I help organise events. Also for local group’s elders gathering events.
Why are you standing for election?
To secure my neighbourhood.
What is your campaign budget?
$5k
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
None.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
No advise.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
NA
KANU AGGARWAL
Suburb of residence: I live in the Cranbourne East.
How long have you lived in Casey?
More than 5 Years
Political party (past and present):
Local councils are for local people. We are not talking about State or Federal Elections here.
Occupation, business/employer name:
I am a registered teacher and previously I was teaching in Special School. Now I am a care sector tafe teacher.
Property interests: I own my house with Mortgage.
Business interests: N/A
Three most important issues for your ward: List is long and that’s what happens when people’s voices are unheard since last 4 years. Traffic, Congestions, parking, Crime, Rising rates so on.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
Casey Citizen of the Year 2022, Nominee of the Women of the Year 2024. I selflessly provided relentless hope, guidance and advice to children and their parents in a rather difficult and uncertain time during COVID 19 when the education system failed to provide certainty. Being an ardent and vocal supporter of community service, I counselled people who had lost their jobs and were impacted by COVID-19, by assisting them in making smooth transitions in their respective careers, thereby enabling and empowering them. I helped to organise an online ‘Maths Olympiad Scholarship Test when NAPLAN was cancelled and donate $300 as scholarship prize for the winner. I am empathetic and community-driven and celebrated my son’s first birthday in an age-care home in a rather unorthodox manner by donating presents to senior-citizens, spending time with them and bringing them joy and happiness! In 2023, I was awarded with the ‘Women Leading locally Fellowship,’ which is a program designed to provide a platform to exemplary women, enabling them to advance in public offices and assume leadership roles.
Why are you standing for election?
To lead, to advocate for my local community and especially for those people who ‘s voices are unheard since a long time. Someone have to take lead, and I am happy to do that. A leader must have skills, knowledge, wisdom and vision and I am fortunate enough to have all those skills developed through out my life. I am still learning and taking life lessons which will continue further.
What is your campaign budget?
Did not estimate yet. Spending my hard earned money at the moment.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
Did not estimate yet. May be $200 from my family and friends and 2 bars from a kind person while I was standing out in a market to meet and greet residents.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
They say that it takes a whole village to raise a child. Same it takes a whole village or community to help a woman to grow and thrive to foster a strong, united future of the community.
Who will you direct your preferences?
As a candidate, I believe in empowering voters to make informed decisions. My focus is on running a positive, issue-based campaign. I encourage everyone to support candidates who align with their values and vision for our community and who have skills and passion for the community service.
