By Violet Li
Casey South election races have appeared tight with the early provisional results and candidates say they are eagerly waiting for the remaining counts and preferences later this week.
Group A votes – the majority, being those which arrived before 6pm on 25 October – were counted on Thursday 31 October, with Group B – received after the Group A time – votes and preference distributions to be tallied on Thursday 7 November.
In Correa Ward, former councillor Gary Rowe led the way with 4247 votes (29.9 per cent). Kanu Aggarwal was in second place with 3553 votes (25 per cent). Tracey Ryan had 3029 votes (21.3 per cent), Abdullah Neshat 1784 (12.6 per cent), Shegofa Naseri 1005 (7.1 per cent), and Onkar Singh Sandhawalia 575 (4.1 per cent).
Mr Rowe appeared to be the only former councillor sacked amid an IBAC anti-corruption inquiry in 2020 who might have a promising comeback.
He said he felt humbled looking at the early provisional results.
“There’s still lots of work to be done, and I’m very happy about it,” he said.
Mr Rowe said it was still too early to declare the win.
“You can never be certain in politics,” he said.
He said he wanted to thank his opponent in the same ward Tracey Ryan for her wonderful support.
Ms Ryan has publicly preferenced Mr Rowe.
“She put her hand up to run. When you people get to meet her or know her, she’s an absolutely wonderful and dedicated person, and she got a lovely family,” Mr Rowe said.
“It was quite funny when we were talking. I’m an ex-policeman. Her husband’s an ex-policeman. There were so many common things about her life and their life and my life.
“And it was just obviously meant to be.”
In Quarters Ward, independent and accountant Carolyn Eaves was in the lead with 2601 votes (20.6 per cent), ahead of Cranbourne Chamber of Commerce president Ian Wood on 2274 votes (18 per cent).
Craig Baird had 1961 votes (15.5 per cent), Aftab Hussain 1644 (13 per cent), Kuljeet Kaur Robinson 1582 (12.5 per cent), Jagdeep Singh Sukhija 1434 (11.4 per cent), David Rolfe 865 (6.8 per cent), and Ridvan Rasimi 270 (2.1 per cent).
Mr Wood said it was a tricky situation in Quarters Ward as he didn’t know who his opponent, Carolyn Eaves, was.
“She doesn’t seem to have any preference deal going.
“I don’t know much about this person. I can only think Cranbourne voters must have read her statement and liked it and must have voted for her.”
Ms Eaves has been contacted.
According to Ms Eaves’ website, she has been living in Cranbourne for over 24 years and has participated in many community groups and activities. She has experience in personnel, office and business management, financial management, corporate governance and risk management. She is currently running a small business in Cranbourne.
Ms Eaves’ candidate statement lashes out at the previous Casey Council.
“Never have I been more disgusted with any council than I am with our previous one,” she stated.
“The role of councillor is supposed to ensure the good governance of our assets. Instead, we saw our Councillors place their political allegiance ahead of us, and at our expense. Matters that should have been discussed in open meetings were made behind closed doors without any accountability.
“Money that could have been spent on support programs, playgrounds, community gardens (allotments) and fixing potholes, was spent on political promotions. Tales of political donations for favours and suitcases of money were exposed on TV, to our shame, and where is our last Mayor?
“I hold no political affiliation, nor do I hold any desires to become a state or federal politician.”
In River Gum Ward, in the battle between three ex-councillors, Lynette Pereira topped the Group A provisional results with a total of 3142 votes (24.4 per cent), ahead of Wayne Smith with 2172 votes (16.8 per cent) and Damien Rosario 930 (7.2 per cent). Mr Smith and Mr Rosario used to be councillors in the same ward until the council was dismissed in 2020.
Geoff Hansen had 1995 votes (15.5 per cent), Nazir Yousafi 1994 (15.5 per cent), Asher Coleman 1781 (13.8 per cent) and Garry Page 886 (6.9 per cent).
Ms Pereira, who was a previous councillor from 2008 to 2012, said she was pleasantly surprised to see the Group A results.
“But not going to jump the gun. I still want to see how the preferences will be distributed,” she said.
“But I’m very, very happy that I’m having such a high primary vote. That’s really nice after so many years. I really like to thank everyone for their primary votes.
“I think I’ve got pretty good preferences. But actually not having had a how-to-vote card from some of the other candidates, it’s hard to tell where the votes will form. But I can only hope.
“I’m apprehensive to call anything yet. We do need to wait and see next week.”
Mr Rosario said he expected his results as he did not campaign or put out any material.
“I just do my volunteer community work,” he said.
“I wish to serve my community, but there are other ways to do that and maybe politics is not the only way.”
In a tight four-way contest in Kowan Ward, Labor member Kasuni Mendis with 2874 votes (21.2 per cent) narrowly led independent Bernard Brian Carr, who secured 2741 votes (20.2 per cent), Christine Skrobo on 2606 votes (19.2 per cent), and Shane Taylor on 2574 (19 per cent).
They were followed by Jawad Erfani 1115 (8.2 per cent), Joby George 745 (5.5 per cent), Gagan Bumrah 499 (3.7 per cent), and Raj Nayak 416 (3.1 per cent).
Ms Mendis said she was happy to lead the way now, but it was close.
“I’m hopeful for a positive outcome and hopeful that I get to represent the people of the Kowan Ward,” she said.
Mr Carr said as the Group B first preference votes would add almost 2800 votes to the current tallies, nobody knew which way they would go, much less which way preferences would be allocated.
In Tooradin Ward, pharmacist and independent Anthony Tassone was first with 3456 votes (27.2 per cent), closely followed by lawyer and independent Jennifer Dizon, who harvested 3338 votes (26.3 per cent).
Kuldeep Kaur had 1564 votes (12.3 per cent), Andrew Gai 1518 (12 per cent), Ali Yaghobi 1223 (9.6 per cent), Brenton Kelly 1118 (8.8 per cent), and Singh Ravneet 482 (3.8 per cent).
Mr Tassone said he was grateful to everyone who had preferenced him and kept him in this really tightly contested election.
“I can only now wait and hope that results go favourably from here on. But I am very grateful for the support I’ve had, and I wish all candidates luck for the remainder of the calendar,” he said.
“I’m very grateful to the residents of 3,000 homes that I doorknocked over the past almost four months’ campaign.
“Whether they voted for me or not, people were so generous with their time and really open about what they wanted to see from their elected council, and that’s something I will always be grateful for.
“It will be an honour and privilege for whoever is fortunate enough to be elected to represent the resident of the City of Casey.”
Ms Dizon said she was pleasantly surprised and incredibly honoured to have gained the support of 3,338 people in her community so far.
“I’m very grateful for all the support I’ve received from my fellow residents,” she said.
In reflection, Ms Dizon said her campaign was more about building meaningful relationships with the community.
“While I highly respect that other candidates have invested more in campaign materials, I chose to allocate minimal funds for this purpose,” she said.
“I believe there’s value in a more personal approach rather than heavy spending on campaign materials. By connecting directly with residents and discussing the issues that matter most to them, I hoped to demonstrate my skills, experience, and genuine commitment to improving our community.
“For me, building these meaningful relationships felt like a more impactful way to share my vision for a better Casey.
“I think people may have voted for me because of the way I connected with them, showing my genuine passion and being present in the community.”
Ms Dizon said it would have been beneficial if she started her campaign earlier.
“Beginning sooner could have made a difference,” she said.
“Nonetheless, I feel incredibly grateful and privileged to have gotten to know my fellow Tooradin ward residents. Win or lose, my commitment to supporting our community will continue.
“It takes a lot of courage to put your hand up for this role, and I have nothing but admiration towards my fellow candidates.
“I wish everyone the best of luck, and whoever is elected hopefully will represent our community well.”
In Cranbourne Gardens Ward, Michelle Crowther had a lead with 4480 votes (33 per cent). Anthony Lake came second with 3245 votes (23.9 per cent). Tamas Kapitany had 2538 votes (18.7 per cent), Jo Muir 1303 (9.6 per cent), Blessing Nhliziyo 1046 (7.7 per cent), and Mary Beth Melton 976 (7.2 per cent). John Ternel and Carmen Powell (Grevillea).
Ms Crowther said she was thankful to all of the Cranbourne Gardens Ward residents who put their trust in her and had given her their first preference.
“I am very pleased with the provisional results at the end of Group A ballot counting,” she said.
“However, Group B counting and preference distribution is still to come, and I am nervously awaiting the official results.
“I do hope I can earn the privilege of representing the Cranbourne Gardens Ward.”
