Annette Borradale is the latest local person to throw her hat into the ring for the 2024 local government elections.
She aims to bring a deep passion for the community and knowledge of employment services, specifically for young adults and the disabled, to the table.
She said it was a conversation with outgoing Benalla Rural City Mayor Danny Claridge that sparked the idea.
“I’ve been in services that have been disability employment-related for 14 to 15 years, and then I’ve moved into a service here in town, which is NE Tracks LLEN, and we now help students to find work experience placements,” she said.
“That’s opened my eyes to a lot of different issues in town, where it’s not just about work experience placements and school-based apprenticeships and so forth.
“So that’s really sparked my interest, and when I was having a chat with Danny he made mention that the council elections are coming up.
“I spoke with my family, and we all thought it’d be a good idea, if it gave me an opportunity to give my perspectives about what things in town could change and what might be a benefit to the local community.”
Ms Borradale said she felt councils across the country could benefit from younger voices.
“That isn’t meant to sound derogatory, but if you look at councils everywhere, typically the demographic is over the age of 60, possibly retired or semi-retired and generally male,” she said.
“I’m in my early 40s and I feel at the moment there is no real voice for the mums, the families.
“I want to be that voice and do what I can to support local families, and keep kids in Benalla after school.
“But there’s got to be activities for them to do, and there’s got to be work opportunities.”
Ms Borradale said if kids could find permanent work after completing school, that was one thing, but their parents and older siblings need good jobs too.
“We had one student who did work experience at Schneider Electric, and his dad actually ended up getting a role there as well,” she said.
“And all of that assists people to make it through the cost-of-living issues we’re all going through.”
Ms Borradale said it was important for councillors to listen to their community
“We need the voice of the families, the younger families, the younger mothers, to be heard,” she said.
“We need to hear from the fathers, the shift workers, the youths, the business people, all the people in town.”
Ms Borradale said she would also like to advocate for more businesses to open in Benalla, with many shops sitting empty in the CBD.
If you have any questions for Ms Borradale you can contact her on 0473 677 463 or aborradale@gmail.com