By Georgia Westgarth
CASEY councillors love to spruik their city as the fastest growing in the state.
And with growth, their often comes change.
But this year’s up-coming council election is proving to take everyone back to the future, with a number of former councillors and mayors re-nominating.
A total of six former councillors, including three mayors have their name down for re-election in Casey’s six wards.
All 11 current councillors are seeking re-election.
Ex Casey mayors up for a spot on council include Shar Balmes and Brian Oates for the Four Oaks Ward and Graham Smith for the Mayfield Ward.
Others, like Casey Neighbourhood Watch chairperson, Rob Ward, are trying their luck for a second time and some are keeping it in the family.
Rebecca Halsall, 22, is hoping to represent the Mayfield Ward, and kick out either former mayor Amanda Stapledon or long serving councillor Gary Rowe.
Rebecca is the daughter of former Casey mayor Janet Halsall and former councillor Bob Halsall.
A Beaconhills College graduate, Rebecca now works in administration and was uncontactable due to her job.
But her mother, Janet told the News she wasn’t surprised when Rebecca announced she was nominating for the Mayfield Ward.
“She’s very interested in issues in the local area and wants to achieve change for Casey,” Janet said.
If elected, Rebecca won’t be the youngest Casey councillor. Current Edrington councillor, Susan Serey, was just 21 years old when she secured the spot.
Other familiar faces who have re-nominated include former councillors Steve Beardon for the Mayfield Ward and Lynette Keleher for the River Gum Ward.
Paul Richardson served in Four Oaks previously and has now nominated in the Springfield Ward.
And an ex Casey councillor has jumped ships and nominated in a neighbouring municipality. Sam Afra, once of the old Casey Heatherton Ward is standing in Dandenong.
Below is a list of the 81 candidates standing for election.
CITY OF CASEY COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES:
Balla Balla Ward (1 vacancy):
Geoff Ablett
Frank Lamattina
Ross Luxmoore
Linda Sahhar
Tom Rennick
Edrington Ward (2 vacancies):
Anthony Dissanayake
Riley Baird
Tim Jackson
Larry Larkins
Ray Perera
Sandra Prvulj
Mick Morland
James Williams
Susan Serey
Four Oaks Ward (2 vacancies):
Shar Balmes
Rosalie Crestani
Natasha Mirra
Rafal Kaplon
Richard Barrow
Chris Sargeant
John Glazebrook
Rod Bagon
Nikolaous Palatsides
Lyndon Samuel
Milla Gilic
Afroz Ahmed
Nicholas Juricevic
Bart Tyszka
Brian Oates
Barry Erlenwein
Andrew Lawler
Dominik Lipski
Chris Andrews
Rick Beeby
Mayfield Ward (2 vacancies):
Steve Beardon
Hans Caspersz
Sid Banerjee
Parampreet Singh Rajput
Shabnam Safa
Sepalkumar Patel
Amanda Stapledon
Kuldeep Kaur
Gary Rowe
Jimmy Varghese
Rob Ward
Colin Crane
Aravind Putta
Suzanne Lokot
Graham Smith
Rebecca Halsall
Jenni Walden
River Gum Ward (2 vacancies):
Robert Sacco
Nagaraj Nayak
Lynette Keleher
John Gulzari
Pravin Ramdany
Damien Rosario
Gamini Fonseka
Aladin Rexhepi
Robert Flanigan
Anne-Maree Wise
Reuben Humphries
Wayne Smith
Malik Atif Mahmood
Elizabeth-Rose Skaliaris
Ian Spencer
Springfield Ward (2 vacancies):
Sam Aziz
Garry Page
Faisal Najibi
Louise Berkelmans
Paul Richardson
Kayla Harriss
Stephen Alter
Rhonda Mavroudis
Sukhminder Singh Grewal
Anthony Bargashoun
Waleed Hassan
Cassandra Gedye
Rex Flannery
Kasuni Mendis
Rory McCormack
