About Andrea

I have a lifelong association with Nepean Ward and substantial local knowledge.  Growing up, my family had a well used beach house in Rye.  My parents retired to the area in the early 2000s and I was pleased to become a permanent resident of Blairgowrie with my husband in 2014.  Fun fact - our wedding reception was held on board the old passenger ferry Nepean when it was operating as a charter boat.

 

We have travelled extensively and lived in Canberra for 8 years, but there is nowhere else I would rather be than this wonderful part of the world.  I love our front and back beaches, as well as the amazing history of the area, especially stories of local characters from pioneer settler families, which many beaches, streets and reserves are named after.  

 

My qualifications include a Bachelor of Arts/Commerce majoring in economics and politics from Monash University, as well as a Master of Taxation from UNSW.   

 

I was a Federal public servant for 14 years, including 18 months in a Minister’s Office as the Departmental Liaison Officer in Parliament House.  This role involved acting as a conduit between the Department and the Minister’s office, similar to a Councillor connecting the local community and the Shire. 

 

I was also heavily involved in user-centered design processes for new policy implementation and had secretariat roles for several consultative committees.  I’m a big advocate for public consultation and its ability to identify unintended consequences and improve implementation.

 

After moving to Blairgowrie permanently in 2014 I worked in real estate administration for several years and gained a better appreciation of the many challenges faced by those running a small business.

 

I have never been a member of a political party and am a completely independent candidate.  

 

As a member of Council Watch (formerly Ratepayers Victoria), I appreciate their work to promote transparency and accountability in local government.  

 

I was recently appointed to the Shire’s new Coastal Advisory Group for Port Phillip South (covering parts of Rye, Sorrento and Portsea).

 

It would be a huge honour to have the opportunity to serve as Nepean Ward’s next Councillor and work with the local community and the Shire to achieve better outcomes in the future.
 

“Great candidate.  Andrea will work for the community with a common sense approach."

Wayne Mercer - Lyndways Builders - Blairgowrie.

 

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"Andrea is someone who listens to understand and speaks to inform. This together with her balanced sense of equity, education and background make her our ideal Local Council Representative."

Gary Naughton - Sorrento Observers and Stakeholders

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"Andrea is an effective advocate for local rights and justice. She is thoughtful and compassionate, lives in the local area and has a history of advocacy for the community. We recently worked together (with others) to develop and refine a response to Council’s proposed Dogs in Public Places Policy. 

 

Andrea’s experience as a high level public servant means she has developed the skills and knowledge to better represent our community on Council. She wants to work for us, not as a means to a political career but rather as a genuine mission to make Council more responsible and responsive to the community. 

 

I will be voting for her and I hope you will too!”

Dr Christine Healy OAM - Administrator - Leash Free Mornington Peninsula (Facebook) 

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Having worked with Andrea I am impressed with her extensive local knowledge of the Southern Peninsula and passion for local issues.  I was not at all surprised when she told me she would be running for council and am confident she would do an excellent job.  She is conscientious, pays attention to detail and has never let me down.

Melodie Stewart - Saltwater Escapes

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