Former Wyndham councillor and prolific volunteer Marcel Mahfoud has lived in the municipality for 15 years. He chats with Alesha Capone.
What do you like most about Wyndham?
I suppose the opportunities we are creating here. People say there are huge challenges with growth. I say, we’re creating new communities and we’ve got the chance to get it right.
I love Watton Street, I love Wyndham and I love the Werribee River. My children are what drives me. Everything I do is for them.
What has been the biggest change in Wyndham in the past 15 years?
Probably its transformation from a sleepy town to a vibrant city.
Tell me about some of your volunteer work in the community.
I’ve been school council president since 2015 at The Grange P-12 College. I came in at the same time as the new principal. We were able to look at the school holistically and make a big effort in improving learning outcomes. There is a strong connection to the community – the principal says almost daily that students are going to do something out in the community.
One thing will also be a focus on sports as part of the college’s new sports academy. There is also an emerging performing arts program. There is amazing talent here.
I have three presidencies at the moment – the college council, the Weerama committee and of Truganina Community Group, which we’re getting advice on changing the name to be a Wyndham-wide community group.
I’m also treasurer of the Wynbay Blue Light Disco.
How long have you been involved with the Weerama committee?
Weerama was cancelled in 2015, I came in after that. We brought it back from the edge of extinction, a small team and myself. I’ve realised in the last few years how important it is to the community – that’s what keeps driving me.
What were some of your proudest achievements as a councillor?
I was a councillor from 2010 to 2012, in the Chaffey ward. One of the biggest things was the Active Schools Program. I put that through as a notice of motion – it was one of my proudest moments. Now several Wyndham schools are involved in it.
With other councillors, I was also involved in the expansion of the Senior’s Festival program, facilitation of the Universal Organics Collection Service, a bicycle crossing networks feasibility study and the council’s plan for community health, wellbeing and safety strategy. I was also on several committees, including the Youth Task Force Committee, the Western Region Environment Centre and the Wyndham Extended School Hub Partnership.
