For an elected council to be most effective, it is my belief that they must be first and foremost in unity. Incumbents will have their reasons for being on council; perhaps rates and roads, social justice, economic growth or Indigenous opportunity — to name a few. The reality is among the nine that are elected, they will see things from sometimes vastly different perspectives. And this is what we need! As long as they are committed to unity.
What sort of councillor is a team player? In my view, the answer is clear, one with exemplary character — one that is truly there for what is good for our city, not what is good for them. I think we are well within our rights to insist that our incoming new council team be people of character first, even before they are people of policy.
What does a leader of character look like? Firstly, they must leave their ego at the door. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is a great place to start. It needs to be about we the ratepayers, and not about personal agendas. Councillors should be actively seeking great outcomes for our community before seeking for their name to be in lights, or their next photo opportunity. One of a leader’s biggest tests is how they are affected by the praise they receive. A councillor who is fulfilled by achieving great outcomes rather than one that is energised by receiving praise is the one we need to be looking for.
I’m looking for a leader who truly values the councillor they disagree with. We humans tend to react with toxicity to those that are very different to us, rather than appreciating God may have put them in our lives to help round us out if we only embrace their different way of seeing things. Many a personal blind spot has been exposed by someone annoying in my life, that I’ve had to humble myself to value rather than resent. I now thank God for all the annoying people in my life — you’ve helped change me for the better!
Speaking of humility, that’s the other main character trait I’m looking for. C.S Lewis said, “humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less”. For me, humility looks like passing the praise of others onto God, untouched. We should be demanding our new councillors approach their responsibilities with the utmost of humility, willing to be lowly in order to lift others up. A helpful analogy is the humble councillor is one that helps the community stand on their shoulders to see and get further than we’ve ever been before.
In conclusion, I’d like to warmly thank each candidate for putting up their hand to serve our city of Greater Shepparton. We appreciate each of you. As we vote and the election reaches its conclusion, let’s continue to remind each other that which is most important — that we all work together for the good of the city, coming from the right place, genuinely doing what’s best for the collective, not the one, and holding each other to account when we stray from this which is best.
Jeremy Rensford, chair of Greater Shepparton Ministers’ Association
