Are you thinking of running as a candidate in the upcoming local government elections?
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)’s Stand for Council Program is visiting Bendigo tonight at the Capital theatre to help prospective candidates understand what’s involved in being a councillor.
Hosted by MAV CEO, Kelly Grigsby, the session is full of information and inspiration for potential candidates thinking about standing in the Council elections later this year in October.
“We are really hoping the Bendigo region turn up in force tonight to hear about the role of council and to understand the importance of being a community representative,” Grigsby says.
In partnership with Victorian councils, the MAV is delivering a number of information sessions for the community and prospective candidates. These sessions can be attended either in-person or online.
“We’re really keen to hear from a range of people across the community who are interested in standing for council, they may have already been a councillor before or an interested community leader who is ready to take that next step,” she says.
At tonight’s session attendees will hear about:
- The role and responsibility of a Councillor, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and CEO
- Local government and the important role councils play for our local communities
- The election process and candidate requirements
- What newly elected councillors can expect soon after the elections
- Councillor training and development opportunities
This year’s council elections are an opportunity for Victorians to elect the candidates who they think best represent, at the local level, their vision and interests for a better, stronger and more sustainable future.
Grigsby says local democracy hinges on the need for councils to represent the diverse needs and aspirations of our local communities.
“Being a local councillor is a really important role in shaping the city you that live in, your community and really making an impact to ensure that the council is actually delivering services that your community needs and that are really tailored towards the neighbourhood, the priorities that matter in terms of local infrastructure and making a difference to the community you live in,” Grigsby says.
Grigsby says the perfect candidate is someone passionate about their local community and really wants to make a difference.
“That’s the kind of person we’d like to see stand for council in these elections, people who are community minded, keen to make a difference and passionate about shaping the future of the community,” she says.
To support and encourage a range of diverse candidates the MAV will also be hosting a number of additional sessions to assist potential candidates from under-represented groups.
Please note: These sessions are not the Local Government Compulsory Candidate Training.
For more information about this please visit the Local Government Victoria Website
