Wyndham election nominee Mehak Sheikh says improving council services, particularly those accessed by youth and women, will be one of her main aims if she is elected.
Ms Sheikh, 24, is the youngest candidate standing in the Chaffey ward.
She is also just one of four women running in the ward, along with 21 male candidates.
Postal votes for the election must be posted by 6pm this Friday, with the results expected to be declared by November 13, subject to recounts.
Ms Sheikh said that if she was elected, she wanted to improve council services for people who are “often left unheard” – such as those living with disabilities and First Nations communities.
“My decision to stand is so that our governance structures reflect our community – diverse in views, experiences and thoughts,” she said
Ms Sheikh has volunteered with many western suburbs organisations, including the headspace Werribee Youth Advocacy Group and the Wyndham’s District Advisory Group to women’s’ rights.
Ms Sheikh said she has seen how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the west, including impacting upon young people’s career aspirations; placing essential workers at risk; and intensifying the inequalities many women already face.
Ms Sheikh said the pandemic had provided an opportunity “to create a better community for all” into the future.
“It’s surfaced the unequal experiences we already knew were taking place and insisted that we build back better,” she said.
“We cannot go back to where we were.”
Meanwhile, Harrison ward candidate Rohit Singh last week said he hoped to make Wyndham into the next “Silicone Valley”.
Mr Singh said he has started an IT and software company from home, which he hopes will become very successful and provide jobs in Wyndham.
Mr Singh said he has been subjected to racist abuse and bullying on social media while standing for the election.
