Local decisions

to guarantee that the voice of the membership is not only heard but valued and respected”, he added.

While better infrastructure, transport and recreational facilities top his agenda, he also hopes to stop Liberal government imposing freeway tolls and prevent overdevelopment of the region.

“There has been a rapid change in the structure of the population within Holroyd and this change has not frequently reflected in the change of service for these people. We need more community halls and sporting venues as much as good roads and footpaths,” he stated.

As well, he hopes to bring in more high profile events like Diwali Mela, UIA Friendship Fair to the region to boost the local economy.

“I care deeply about this community and am steadfast in my principles of ensuring Holroyd community for families of all ages and businesses of all sizes,” Venkatarangan continued.

A member on the advisory board of the iconic Parramasala and president of the Indian Australian Arts and Film association (IAAFA), Balaji is passionate about arts and culture, organising numerous events aimed at vibrant cultural exchange. Through this forum he has engaged the community, particularly youngsters and reconnected them with their values and heritage. He has brought in traditional as well as contemporary artists, besides organising film releases all over Australia.

Energetic and proactive, he has been a core member of community groups including the Parramatta, Holroyd & Blacktown Migrant Resource Centres, RSPCA, NSW Police, NSW Fire Brigade, Australian Red Cross, Recreational NSW, Aboriginal Artists of NSW, Art Galleries of NSW, Scouts and Guides NSW.

He has also led Indian Australian community through several forums.

“Back in 2009, at the height of the international student crisis, I was deeply involved with several community members and organisations like the Community Relations Commission of NSW, Ethnic Communities Council of NSW and NSW Police Parramatta Local Area Command, reaching a sensible solution”.

Local MP David Borger and then premier Kristina Kenneally acknowledged his efforts.

Venkatarangan has also lobbied for greater trade exchange between Indian and Australia in the minerals sector, particularly uranium.

Lobbying with unions and government is another asset he brings to this role, having represented AWU and AMWU, particularly in manufacturing, automotive and rail industries.

G U r D ee P S INGH

Liberal Party Hornsby Shire Council, Ward b (Asquith, Castle Hill, Dural, Cherrybrook, Waitara, Wahroonga, Hornsby, Normanhurst)

When Gurdeep Singh chose to settle down in Hornsby more than two decades ago, it was for the quality of life the north shore suburb offered. The bushland setting, transport connectivity and top class education facilities are cherished quite as much even today.

“The whole Shire has changed since and only for the better,” he told Indian Link Singh hopes to make a difference to the local community by improving services and amenities.

The convenor and secretary of the North Shore Sikh Association has been endorsed as Liberal candidate in upcoming local council elections for Ward B.

“I wish to preserve and propagate its heritage. I want to make the Shire a place where local government addresses local issues with a great degree of care and sensitivity. More importantly I want to reduce red tape-ism and roll out processes that are well thought out, consultative and transparent,” said the civil engineer, who runs an independent practice in the Sydney metropolitan area.

Deeply involved in the community, Singh is also an active life member of the Council of Indian Australians and a Vice President of the Indian Australian Association of New South Wales.

Naturally, he will bring to this role a wealth of experience not only as a professional but also in broader spectrum of core human values and relationships.

Having been extensively involved in community consultations processes, he values his cultural heritage as well as uprightness.

“Given a chance, I am only too keen to go the extra mile to serve the community that has encouraged and supported me,” he added He hopes to become the first Sikh Australian to represent the community in the local government area.

“I am truly honoured to be the first Sikh in Australia to be given the Liberal Party ticket”.

S USAI b e N j AMIN Labor blacktown Council, Ward 3 (Doonside, Seven Hills, Toongabbie, Prospect, blacktown, Huntingwood, Arnside)

“We are here to stay. So we need to have a say” is advocate Susai Benjamin message to the Indian Australian community. And politics he believes is the perfect instrument to effect meaningful change. The well-known social worker and legal rights campaigner could well become the first Indian Australian in Blacktown City Council, if elected from Ward 3.

“I won’t make promises I can’t keep but so long as it is compliant to rules and can be implemented, I am ready to listen and undertake to articulate on behalf of people’s needs,” Benjamin told Indian Link

His big vision for Blacktown is to emulate the example of Parramatta. “I would like Blacktown CBD to take shape and evolve as a future smart city,” he said. He also hopes to run a survey to find out what are the needs of small businesses at the grassroots level.

A review mechanism of Council infringement notices is top of his agenda. The hard-core Labor supporter, who heads the preselection list for the September 8 election has served the local community tirelessly since his arrival in 1987.

Nicknamed nil-fee lawyer, it all started when he offered free legal advice to new migrants.

“Since then, people have come routinely door knocking on all matters legal or quasilegal”, he remembered. This trend has continued despite his hectic professional and electoral commitments.

In 2007, Susai spearheaded the establishment of Toongabbie Legal Centre after extensive community consultations.

Offering free legal aid to people unable to access this service because of prohibitive costs, TLC is now an iconic local institution with a large network of volunteer solicitors and law students.

Having worked with numerous state government organisations like NSW Treasury, Work Cover Authority and State Authorities Superannuation Board, Benjamin has extensive public service experience.

As well, he is a regular at community events, championing the cause of multiculturalism.

“I believe in walking the talk and to this end I founded a not for profit company Australian Multicultural Forum Ltd,” he stated.

The organisation, he explained, encourages “dialogue among people who care to identify key obstacles to harmonious living”.

He was appointed as Executive Committee member of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW and as a board member of Migrant Resource Centres in Blacktown and Parramatta. He also served as the Board member and later the President of Multicultural Arts Alliance of NSW.

Significantly, he served for two terms on the Australian Government’s Australian Multicultural Advisory Council (AMAC). Through AMAC’s contributions, Benjamin believes that Australia now has a Multicultural Policy.

Early this year, he was appointed as ambassador for multiculturalism, one of only forty named by federal government.

Susai is also involved at the professional level and has held many positions in professional organisations, such as the Council Of Australasian Tribunals (COAT), the Australian Institute of Administrative Law (AIAL), part-time member of the Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal (GREAT) and many other activities.

He has been invited to many international forums, speaking passionately about community development, adult education and environment. Both Susai and his wife Anne, former executive director of Catholic Schools in western Sydney, are very active in their parish.

“I have always been in the business of reviewing policy and making laws. My job is to listen to people and implement their needs,” he added.

TANV eer A HM e D Liberal Party City of Canada bay Council, Drummoyne Ward

Psychiatrist, author, columnist and comedian, Tanveer Ahmed is all set now to don a new mantle – that of Councillor. He is contesting on a Liberals ticket from the prestigious Drummoyne constituency of the City of Canada Bay Council, featuring high on the pre-selection table.

Born in Bangladesh and raised in Sydney’s western suburbs, the former Sydney Grammar student has been outspoken on migrant issues. Multiculturalism and mental health issues naturally are hot favourites and he has written passionately and extensively on both subjects in the Sydney Morning Herald

Named as one of the future leaders of Australia under the age of 40, Ahmed has a very visible public face and he has chosen to leverage this in aid of his pet causes.

“As a resident of Drummoyne, where I recently moved and as small business owner, I thought the best way to express myself in the community was through the local government elections,” he told Indian Link

“A young family has made me more interested in the core aspects of local government, which is sometimes reduced to the 3 Rs - roads, rates and rubbish. But I am very interested in how the area evolves, given we have moved in there recently and can see our children being raised thereschools, parks, roads, better shop areas,” he explained.

“I have become more conservative in the past decade and given I am a small businessman now running a medical practice and am quite individualistic - the Liberal party made sense,” he added.

Council elections will be a road test for talented Tanveer who nurtures bigger political ambitions. “Perhaps the Federal arena down the track,” he revealed. “Yet I see local government as a kind of practical politics and look forward to getting involved”.

b e TH e L Perer A Unity Party Holroyd City Council, east Ward (Merrylands, Granville, Westmead, Holroyd, part of Wentworthville)

Bethel Perera is an amalgam of many cultures. Proud of her Indian heritage that combines Hindu and Muslim ancestry, Fijian born-Australia raised Perera was brought up with Christian beliefs. The young communications professional, who works for AusGrid is married to a Sri Lankan Buddhist.

“All of these values coexist harmoniously. I was brought up to respect individuality. We may not agree with a different ideology or values but we need to accept their choice,” she stated.

This is what attracted her to Unity Party, which was born in 1998 to challenge Pauline Hanson’s vision of a “white” Australia. Equality and multiculturalism, fairness and acceptance are focal points of her rainbow of religions.

“It’s interesting how opportunities come to you”, she recalled. Having worked in events for a decade now both professionally through her husband Ritchie’s business and passion-inspired pet projects, she was introduced to Unity Party head Peter Wong and then Kogarah deputy mayor Annie Wang.

“I had engrossed myself in data and statistics relating to issues and changes within the community. This was the point when I grew hungry to get involved and make some positive changes. This prompted me to take part in local government and represent ethnic Australia,” she explained.

By representing her electorate, she wants to improve quality of life.

“I want residents to be happy and feel safe,” she stated. “I also want to reach out to our youth. This is an area that needs to be addressed but it takes a certain kind of person and I know I can do it”.

Upgrading local parks and facilities, exploring parking issues, particularly around Westmead station and Plaza as well as investing in childcare, are among her immediate priorities.

“There is a nice garden at the park behind Lane Street in Wentworthville but to create a shaded area with a non-smoking area would offer the locals a life style,” she pinpointed.

Bethel believes her subcontinental heritage will work in her favour. “We always like to support someone we can identify with or who we feel is our own. Influencing supporters based on my cultural heritage (Fijian or Indian) or by my Sri-Lankan last name (by marriage) will happen,” she said.

Husband Ritchie, Bethel revealed, has been her “strategist, engine room and advisor”.

And the warm response from the people has been a welcome surprise.

“This may be my first year running, but the reception from my electorate has been nothing short of positive,” Bethel admitted. “I am touched by their support and faith. It has made me realise there are so many levels that we relate and connect to people on”.

rA j IV bHANDULA Liberal Party Strathfield Council

“It is a matter of pride and acknowledgement of my contribution that I have been preselected for Strathfield Council,” Rajiv Bhandula told Indian Link.

“Having spent the first two decades in the country establishing my family and my professioinal interests, I am now committed to wholeheartedly serving the community”, he stated.

Bhandula is inspired by the figures that have emerged from the latest Census. “It shows the Indian community in the Strathfield area has grown significantly and it’s time to represent the same in council as well, so that council can also serve its people effectively”.

He believes it is time that Indian Australians participate actively in governance at all three levels and strengthen the multicultural fabric of society.

“The Liberal Party has always been an inclusive party but the perception in the community needs to be changed. Being a Liberal candidate for Strathfield Council, I will help the party, the council and the Indian community for better understanding and coordinated cooperation so that we can serve this wonderful nation better”, he stated.

Talking about pre-selection, Bhandula explained that local MP Charles Casuscelli and Liberal candidate for Reid Craig Laundy invited him for talks.

He believes his greatest asset is his strong community links and excellent business rapport. He has established an extensive network among the business community.

While his priorities are Liberals based, his campaign is ‘Local for Locals’. He hopes to encourage greater interaction among residents.

M4 extension and reducing traffic congestion figure high on his agenda.

“There will also be some work which will be focused towards the needs of people from the Indian subcontinent. These includeallocating Council facilities, such as hall, library, etc for community events, as well as programs for exhibitions and celebration of festivals associated with people of Indian Subcontinent,” he highlighted.

Bhandula firmly believes that the Liberal Party is totally committed to having a proper representation of the Indian community.

“Our strategy is to bring the subcontinent community together so that Strathfield Council can adapt new policies to meet the demands of people from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Fiji”.

N AV ee N G AND r A Liberal Party Liverpool Council, North Ward

Naveen Gandra came to Australia in 2001 to pursue higher studies at University of Wollongong. The computer science student from Hyderabad fell in love with the people and lifestyle and soon adopted citizenship.

“Working and living in Liverpool each day, I am in constant contact with residents (my neighbours) and the business community through my work as a business banker with Westpac”, Gandra indicated.

“I see each day the difficulties that this community faces, and I want to do my part as a member of the Liberal Council team to work for a better Liverpool, for families and small business,” he added.

He has been endorsed for the North Ward in the upcoming Liverpool Council elections.

“I want to make Liverpool a better place for families to live and work,” he stated. “Community safety in Liverpool is a big issue, so we are committed to introducing CCTV cameras in the CBD. At the moment the residents are very scared about break-ins and being robbed on streets. We will also increase infrastructure budget, focussing on footpaths and street lamps. Better parks and reserves are also on our agenda. We are also campaigning for fairer hours of operation for the Parking Meters. Currently they operate for too long, and it is hurting business”.

According to Gandra, the Liberal Party hopes to inject more resources into junior sports clubs and grounds. “We will provide more Council support and funds to junior sport,” he promised.

The Council currently has an enormous debt from the failed Labor Oasis project. “We will work to balance Councils budget, work to pay off Labors debt, and fight Federal Labor’s Carbon Tax, which will hurt small business and push up rates”, he continued.

Gandra and his Liberal team have been door knocking for every vote and meeting leaders and community groups. As well, he has set up street stalls for direct interface.

“This election is about a fresh approach, who the community believes will listen and deliver for them,” he reiterated.

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