Warrnambool veterinarian Michael McCluskey is the latest person to put his hand up for a spot on the city council.
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Born and raised in Warrnambool, Dr McCluskey has fond memories of flying kites and riding billy carts down the hill where Flagstaff Hill maritime village was later built.
Dr McCluskey said he believed his strong community focus and diverse employment experience along with his firm belief in the importance of a collegiate and cooperative council were key attributes he could bring to the council table.
"I aspire to a harmonious relationship with councillors blended with respectful independence of thought," Dr McCluskey said.
"Group think and alliances can stymie good governance and creative thinking and are rarely in the best interests of the community."
He has worked in a number of jobs, including as a dairy farm hand and as an employment officer for the federal government.
In that role he helped both job seekers and employers dealing with employment challenges, Dr McCluskey said.
He then followed this with many years working as a veterinarian, which included servicing the local agricultural industry.
Dr McCluskey is a member of the Warrnambool Riding for the Disabled Association, a role he is extremely passionate about, and also served as director of finance on the board of management of a local sporting club.
He said he had no political alliance or leaning and believed his strong grounding in business plus his extra university study in the fields of economics, psychology and law gave him an unparalleled background to bring to the council table.
"I make decisions based on the best available evidence rather than being blinded by a particular ideology," Dr McCluskey said.
"The economic and social well being within a community are deeply intertwined and both need to be nurtured.
"The local economy has been hit hard and needs support and advocacy.
"Council also needs to care for crucial social and environmental issues such as domestic violence, mental health, affordable housing and sustainability," Dr McCluskey said.
Other new candidates in the election include Matthew Walsh, Peter Sycopoulis, Lynn Hudson and Anthony Earnshaw.
The last time a Warrnambool City Council election was held, in 2016, there were 25 candidates.
Preferences played a crucial role in determining the outcome of the election.
No candidate reaching the required quota of 2517 votes on first preferences alone, which meant the distribution of preferences from excluded candidates was the deciding factor.
The council election will be conducted by post and voters will receive a ballot pack in early October.
Profiles about the new council candidates will feature in The Standard over the coming days.
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