Potshots were fired at journalists, social media trolls and all-promising council candidates by outgoing councillors at the first meeting of the new Wyndham term.
Former councillors Marie Brittan, Adele Hegedich, Gautam Gupta and Michele Wharrie, who were all voted out at last month’s election, were at Monday’s meeting to receive acknowledgements and say their farewells.
Ms Hegedich, who had re-contested Harrison ward for a third term, spoke of the massive competition for one of just four spots.
“Getting elected in a ward of 41 candidates was never going to be easy,” she said. “Especially when I had a small network, shallow pockets and a deep position on the ballot paper. I know a friend who did not vote for me simply because he couldn’t find my name on the ballot paper. With a high informal vote, and others failing to vote, those elected were extremely lucky.”
Ms Hegedich reflected on an article from some years ago that alleged she was missing in action, saying she was, in fact, in hospital.
“While I suffered a personal grievance, journalists, fuelled by social media trolls, used my pain and anguish,” she said.
Ms Brittan reflected on this election campaign and promises made by candidates.
“When one delves deeper, you find that the fight [for better infrastructure] has been going on since the 1980s,” she said. “Growth is not a new phenomenon in Wyndham, neither is a perceived lack of infrastructure.
“I heard many candidates in the election, some now elected, saying they’re going to tell the politicians what we need. I hate to burst any bubbles in saying there’s not a politician in the state or federal government, Labor, Liberal or otherwise, that doesn’t know about Wyndham, it’s growth [and] needs.”
