Community involvement in

Winchelsea 

Looking to the future

Change is unstoppable.
Let's see if we can direct it.

OPEN

TRANSPARENCY

A culture of secrecy seems to be invading government at all levels. Increasingly, we're told what's good for us and that we don't need to know why.

I believe in being open and transparent about why decisions are made, and what policy decisions are based on.

This is particularly important for the people that you choose to represent you. 

Of course there are differences of opinion. Of course everyone won't get what they want every time. But you deserve to know why and how decisions are made that affect you.

Stay in touch with your Councillors so they know you're interested.
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COUNCIL

ADVOCACY

It's no secret that Councils across the country (the world?) come in for a bit of stick. You're closer to your Council than to State and Federal government layers, and are more likely to personally interact with your Council, especially for a region such as the Winchelsea Ward.

Plus, bureaucracy has a tendency to get out of control, to lose focus on what it exists for, to head off down its own pathways to justify its existence.

This can lead to great frustration. Labyrinthine forms and processes. Lengthy application delays. Nonsensical language and requirements.

Ask your Councillors how we can streamline, improve, speed up, and simplify. It is definitely a challenge to make this happen, but your ideas need to be passed on and acted upon.


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RATEPAYER

CONSULTATION

As Councillors, it's their role to represent the community and its diversity of needs. It isn't for them to have pre-fixed opinions and attitudes.

Consultation with Winchelsea Ward residents and organisations is a necessary step in finding out what the community wants. The input of experts adds to this - there are legal limitations, there are over-riding requirements. But most important is what you want from your Council.

This all feeds into forming policy decisions and taking directions that benefit the majority. I'm a strong believer in democracy - proper democracy, not just the loudest voice or the squeakiest wheel or the wealthiest lobbyist.

So be sure to demand your chance to have your say - directly with Councillors, and through them to Surf Coast Shire.
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The Winchelsea Ward

Facts about Winchelsea Ward


Voters:
Around 7,700 voters

Area:
Around 870 sq km.

Towns:

Barrabool, Bellbrae, Buckley, Connewarre, Freshwater Creek, Gherang, Gnawarre, Modewarre, Moriac, Mount Duneed, Ombersley, Paraparap, Wensleydale, Winchelsea, Wurdiboluc

Your Councillors
2020-2024

Heather Wellington
Adrian Schonfelder

BACKGROUND

Who Am I?

As a resident of Winchelsea, I have long been involved in community - Chair of Winchelsea Community House, Secretary of the Winchelsea Star community newspaper, an active firefighter with the Wurdale CFA Brigade, and in times past involved with the Winchelsea Business & Tourism Association (now merged into Growing Winchelsea) and stints as Secretary and Treasurer of the Winchelsea Lions Club.

I run my own business, Winch Websites, which provides digital marketing (websites, newsletters, internet automation) to small and micro businesses and non-profits. I have a particular focus on community centres.

I'd like to see our local communities and the Surf Coast Shire continue to be great places to live, work & play. Not good or OK, but great. This is wonderful part of the world to be, we'll need to actively participate in keeping it that way.