Hi, I’m standing for the seat of Brunswick district election on 26 November 2022.
I’ve lived in the Brunswick district for over 50 years. I’ve been actively involved in community issues, and through my work as an employment officer at the CES (Commonwealth employment service for over 22 years, and I have devoted much of my time to community work, including over 16 years as a counselor and three terms as a Mayor in the City of Moreland.
Many people over the years encourage me to take the second step and go for seat of Brunswick district as they not happy with the performance of the current member for various reasons I will mention some:
many attempts to remove parking from Sydney Rd (what will happen to the traders and their business)
the name changes of the city of Moreland (I believe over 85 % against the name change)
no proper consultation with the constitutes and during the last four years I haven’t seen any representatives from local council or state attending any forums or community events.
We need competent representation in the state and effective performance in a dynamic government. My experience and proven ability will add strength to the renewal of the parliamentarian's team.
I have never deviated from my promises for the sake of political expediency and will not be silenced when a matter needs to be raised, my loyalty and accountability will be to the residents and people of Brunswick district.
Nothing is more important than the safety of our loved ones I will work to make our community a safer place.
I believe that the quality of services to the elderly and families should be improved and not to be allowed to deteriorate.
I’m an experienced representative who has proven to be accessible and responsive to resident’s needs, a tireless worker, a campaigner for the preservation of our life style.
I have an exceptional track record on environmental issues, and I will continue to do so to improve our state.
Together, we have and will continue to make a difference, please feel free to contact me with your suggestions or any questions at any time.
Anthony Helou
Candidate for the seat of Brunswick District
Mob : 0422333999
Email : a.Helou@me.com
www.anthonyhelou.com.au
Face Book Page : www.facebook.com/heloucandidate/
Summary
Born in Lebanon, came to Australia in the early 1970’s and settled in Brunswick. I managed to get work in a Brunswick Textile factory as a machine operator. The work involved was to spin yarn which was hard work for someone like me as I didn’t speak any English nor did I have any family member or relative here to help me. I didn’t expect to start work immediately.
Shortly after helping myself with English classes and lots of reading I started to help others. I have held several positions in the private and public sectors.
In March, 1998, I became the Third Mayor of the Local Government of Moreland and was re-elected Mayor for the second term in 2004 and for a Third term in 2006 and a Councillor since 1996 to 2012.
Prior to local government, I had extensive experience with various community groups, spanning the 50 years in which I lived, worked and raised my family in the City of Moreland. One of my enduring areas of interest and involvement has been working with various non-English background communities.
This in part arises out of my own experience arriving in Australia as a migrant. This personal insight has enabled me to assist others to understand the system of the Australian society. My expertise in these areas grew out of my personal role with the Commonwealth Employment Service. This has been built upon my capacity as a Councillor, Mayor, Board Member, and Chairman of various boards and as a Public Office Holder. I have developed, addressed and negotiated with groups representing industry, residents, various professionals, bureaucrats, politicians and ministers.
I have completed nearly 25 years of involvement in a Local Community Health Centre and many other groups and associations in Victoria. This has involved frequent analysis of situations through research, reading reports, discussion, consultations and the analysis of statistical data across a diverse range of disciplines such as Immigration, Human Services, Centrelink, Local Government, State and Federal, Newspapers, Television and many other agencies.
I am able to set goals and priorities, have a good capacity to organise my workload and work well under pressure. I also have been active in policy development and implementation at all levels on a variety of issues.
In conclusion, I am from Non-English speaking country and I have faced the barriers that most of the migrants have faced and what I have learned is based on my ability and desire to learn.
