Wayne Smith and Damien Rosario were elected as the councillors for River Gum Ward. 89391 Picture: DONNA OATES
By BRIDGET COOK
THERE’S no doubt the newly-elected River Gum Ward councillor will be able to learn plenty from his fellow ward representative.
Damien Rosario, who has been elected to the Casey council for the first time, will join veteran councillor Wayne Smith – Casey’s longest running councillor – as the representatives for River Gum Ward.
Cr Smith won quite convincingly, receiving almost a quarter of the votes in the field of 16 candidates.
Former councillor Lynette Keleher polled second in the first preference votes, but was defeated once preferences were distributed.
Cr Rosario said he was very excited to be elected to Casey Council.
“Being an underdog against the current sitting councillors, I had to work extra hard to prove myself to the River Gum Ward that I am here to make a positive difference in our community,” he said.
“Now, I have the chance to prove just that.
“The most motivating thing for me is that I can make a real difference for the community in my new position as councillor.
“I have my own opinions on what I believe needs to be addressed in our community.
“However, I believe a good councillor should listen to the needs of the community, and to that end, I welcome feedback from our residents and groups about local issues that they feel are important to address.”
Cr Rosario said some of the changes he’d like to see included easing the burden on ratepayers, improved road safety, public transport, increased support for education programs and institutions in the community and addressing the Hallam Road Landfill issue.
Cr Smith said he was extremely happy with his seventh election victory.
“I am very honoured that the voters in River Gum have overwhelmingly placed their trust in me for another four years and I promise to do the best I can, as I have for the last 16 years I have been on Casey Council,” he said.
“This should be a very productive term of Casey council – the unfortunate ‘thug’ and ‘sook’ element of the previous council has been removed by the voters and has been replaced by a committed group of old and new councillors who want to work together to make a difference.”
Cr Smith said he hoped to see Casey commit to and build a Casey Cultural Centre during the next term, so that performing and visual arts groups, schools, clubs and business groups will no longer have to travel outside of Casey to stage their productions, exhibitions, debutante balls, formals, graduations and business breakfasts and dinners.
Former Casey councillor Steve Beardon, who finished fourth in River Gum council election, thanked those who supported him, but said it appeared the council elections were nothing short of corrupt.
“Running mates, politically backed and financed candidates make it impossible for true blue residents to have any chance of securing a win,” he said.
“Where else in the world can you win with less than 10 per cent of the primary vote?”
Candidate Michele Halsall said thanks to everyone for their support and congratulated Cr Rosario and Cr Smith on their wins.
“Thanks everyone for your support and I’ll be running again in the next election,” she said.
“I hope Wayne and Damien do a good job representing River Gum.”
