Latest News

Easter! A perfect time for a family bike ride to the park. We’re so lucky to have the beauty and serenity of Scotchman’s Creek Trail in our backyard. I hope you all had an enjoyable break with your families. ... See MoreSee Less

8 hours ago

Today is one of my least favourite days of the year; it’s the last day for Hot Cross Buns. And so begins the count down - 248 days until they’re back 😢 ... See MoreSee Less

19 hours ago

The fish tank is complete! 🐠

It’s been sitting in the garage for a few years and the kids begged me to bring it to life. Amazing how much joy children get from the simplest things. Squeals of delight watching fish swim around 🥰🐟 ... See MoreSee Less

3 days ago

Citizenship Ceremony #3 for 2019; still one of my favourite events on the calendar.

It’s such a privilege to share in one of the most amazing experiences in these people’s lives. It’s always a great reminder to me of how privileged I am to have been born in the greatest country on earth 🇦🇺 ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

Great afternoon at the Players Theatre Company’s performance of Madagascar. I love nothing more than watching teenagers putting together a production, the passion is contagious. I minored in Theatre at Uni, and I must say I miss it.

Their final production is on tomorrow at South Oakleigh Secondary College. Well worth the visit if you’re looking for something to do. ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

First Samantha Dunn and now Nina Springle. I have no idea what is going on in the Victorian Greens, but these are two women that I highly respected whilst in office & who worked damn hard for their constituents.

Extremely disappointing outcome. Wishing Nina all the best in whatever she chooses to do next.I haven’t posted on this Page for several months now and I’ve come to the point where I can no longer hold off explaining why that is. Just over three weeks ago, I tendered my resignation of my membership of the Australian Greens Victoria. My struggle around this decision has been very real and ongoing, which is evident by how long it’s taken me to make this public statement. Close to ten years is a long time to put your heart and soul into a cause and coming to the conclusion that you can no longer be part of that anymore is nothing short of heartbreaking.

For me the Greens were always a means to an end. A vehicle to address the pressing environmental and societal inequalities and abuses that were so obviously consuming us and our planet. A way to decisively work towards justice in an inherently unjust world. The foundational pillars of the Greens remain my values and that has categorically not changed. They are what made me choose the Greens in the first place when I embarked on this leg of my political journey all those years ago. But what has changed is how those values are enacted in the culture and modus operandi of the Victorian Greens. At this present time I just can’t perceive how they are that vehicle for the profound social change that we require at this juncture in our evolution.

I am not going to go into each and every detail of my decision making in this post, but I will offer two fundamental reasons for my departure.

Firstly, since the announcements of the election results here in Victoria, I have been watching carefully the responses offered by the Party. Nothing I have seen or heard has indicated to me that the leadership has a willingness to acknowledge the deep seated cultural issues that must be addressed if the party is to thrive and grow. Reforms that have been talked about tinker around the edges and go nowhere near the root causes of these problems. I’d be the first to put my hand up to do what needs to be done to right this course, but there isn’t even acknowledgement that the problems exist to the extent they do so there is no hope of solving them.

Secondly, there has been a progressive departure from authentic consensus decision making practice in the Greens in all forums. To the outside world this may mean very little, but in a nutshell it has resulted in the manipulation of power to support specific agendas. The outcome of this in a practical sense is a systematic erosion of equality and the recognition of the voices of anyone outside certain circles. Until this is addressed, division and exclusion will remain common place and I cannot be part of that. It is completely contrary to why I joined the Greens in the first place.

I want to end by saying that this decision is by no means indicative of how I feel about the rank and file members and supporters across the state who are good, salt of the earth people who just want to see solid, progressive policies implemented at every level of government. In almost every way, you are the reason this decision has been so difficult and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support and commitment. My heart is full every time I think of you and your contribution to what can be an incredibly difficult path to walk at times.

I will keep this Page open to share the next chapter in my adventures. Know that I am as committed as ever to striving for equality, justice and empowerment for all. ... See MoreSee Less

1 week ago

Here’s another crucial community service that the City of Monash provide - Immunisation. April’s just had her last one

Just as well Victoria Councils worry about more than just Roads, Rates and Rubbish! ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago

There was no funding in last night's Federal Budget for suburban public transport. Improving rail and bus services is the only way to actually reduce congestion in our cities. As part of the upcoming election we hope to see both parties take public transport funding seriously and commit to major upgrades of the Belgrave and Lilydale lines.

Share this post if you agree! ... See MoreSee Less

3 weeks ago