With the local government elections only three weeks away, I wanted to take this opportunity to inform the residents of the Wellington local government area of my intention to contest the upcoming elections, and to tell you all a bit about myself. My name is David Grant, I’m 31-years-old and I am coming to the end of my first term as one of your councillors. As an elected councillor for the past four years, I have learnt a great deal about the workings of local government, and the important role that I play in representing the interests of my fellow residents. In this time, I have been involved in a number of local committees as a council representative, including Geurie Bald Hill Committee, Geurie Pool Committee, Wellington Community Children’s Centre and Sports Advisory Committee. My involvement with these committees has provided me with the opportunity to work alongside passionate local residents who are willing to work with council to improve the services and facilities available to all in our communities. Supporting me during my time as a councillor, and as I put my name forward for re-election is my wife Allison, who I have been married to for eight-and-a-half years. We have built a home here in Wellington, and 18 months ago, welcomed our beautiful baby daughter Adelina into our lives. Both Allison and I have made Wellington our home, and believe it to be a wonderful place to start and raise a family. I value the importance of becoming involved in the local community, so apart from my council commitments, I am the President of the Wellington Senior Rugby Union, as well as Treasurer of the Wellington Lions Senior Soccer Club. There are a number of challenges facing our local area that need to be addressed; nevertheless there are opportunities on the horizon for our community leaders to take advantage of the benefit of our local communities. As I nominate for re-election, I would like to see improvements to our local infrastructure, improvements to our local sporting facilities, increases in police numbers to assist in crime prevention, development and support our local business community and continued efforts to promote the wonders of our beautiful local area. We are so lucky to live in an area that has so many natural and man-made attractions, and we need to take every opportunity to promote these.
Personally I feel Wellington has been sitting on the sidelines for too long, waiting for growth and development to occur, without being proactive in making it happen for ourselves. Now is our time. We need a council who is going to bring the Wellington area into the 21st century. We need community leaders who come to the role in council with experience, knowledge, passion and a real desire to see Wellington prosper. Wellington Council has a real opportunity to move forward at this time. We have a new general manager who is committed to making our council an efficiently run organisation. He is supported by a dedicated team of staff who are always trying to give their best with the resources available to them.
Wellington has a bright future which we need to capitalise on now. I ask you to consider me, David Grant, for re-election on September 8. I believe I can continue to bring a youthful approach to council, with the added benefit of four years experience in the workings of local government. I encourage anyone who would like to discuss any issues or ideas with me to please give me a call on 0418 644 186.