KEYSBOROUGH WARD
Suburbs: northern part of Keysborough and part of Springvale South
Sitting councillor: Vacated by Tim Dark
Candidates: Melinda Yim, Reinaldo Ivan Pincheira (Australian Labor Party), Peter Brown, Hemara In (ALP), Tevyn Gov (Victorian Socialists), Daniel Dang (ALP), Sinan Akkurt (ALP)
No survey response: Pincheira, Gov
HEMARA IN
Suburb of residence: Keysborough
How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong? 24 years
Political party (past or present): Labor Party
Occupation, business/employer name: Telecommunication Engineer at VicTrack
Property interests: I do not have any rental properties.
Business interests: I do not own any business.
Three most important issues for your ward:
I would like to work and to be able to contribute to the improvement of our local roads and footpaths; to be able to contribute positively to the town planning; and to see if we can use our rate more efficiently without having to increase it annually.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I have worked and enjoyed working for my community, starting with the youth group since late 80s and continue to work with my community today.
Why are you standing for election?
After living more than 20 years in Keysborough, I would like to serve the people of Keysborough and I believe I can contribute positively to the improvement of the City of Greater Dandenong.
What is your campaign budget? Limited
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? None
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? Former Councillor and Mayor, Youhorn Chea, has been assisting me with my campaign.
Who will you direct your preferences to? As a proud member of the Australian Labor Party, I will direct my preferences to other, genuine ALP members who share my values; however I will not direct preferences to people who are merely attempting to use ALP membership as a means to bolster the strength of their own campaign.
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PETER BROWN
Suburb of residence: Ratepayer for over 30 years.
How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong?
Political party (past or present): I am a genuine Independent and not a member of a political party.
Occupation, business/employer name: I am a secondary schoolteacher.
Property interests: I have property interests but no business interests.
Business interests:
Three most important issues for your ward:
1. family, the aged and children’s services provision by Council.
2. improved management of Council assets such as reserves, roads and active response to rubbish removal.
3. Community safety with strategic CCTV to deter and identify wrongdoers
Describe your involvement in the local community:
Why are you standing for election?
What is your campaign budget? My campaign budget is for printing, advertising and associated costs.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? There are no campaign donors.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
No third party councillor or politician, has assisted me for the forthcoming campaign. I am an Independent candidate. I am relying on my previous experience as a councillor.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
My second preference in voting, myself being first, will be recommended for Daniel Dang and my third preference is recommended for Melinda Yim. If I am not successful, I wish them success.
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SINAN AKKURT
Suburb of residence: DANDENONG NORTH
How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong? I have lived in City Of Greater Dandenong since 1985 where we were living in Keysborough. We then moved to Dandenong South and I started my primary schooling at Dandenong south P.S until grade 2, then once we moved to Dandenong north I completed my primary years at Woorana Park P.S. I started and finished high school at Carwatha college in Noble Park North, I graduated in 2001 and briefly lived on the gold coast before returning to my home which is Dandenong North.
Political party (past or present): I am a Labour member
Occupation, business/employer name: I have just ceased employment as Operations Manager of Agcab portable cabins and am about to open my own Kebab businesses South East Kebab Station. I am the founder and President of South East United FC
Property interests: No
Business interests: No
Three most important issues for your ward:
Parks and sports facilities need urgent upgrading in the Keysborough ward, and in the whole municipality as a whole.
Road safety issues around our school need urgent remodelling, especially during school drop off and pick up, creating easier options for parents to be able to pick up and drop off their children without the risk of receiving a fine.
We need to increase the number of CCTV in Keysborough to minimise youth crime alongside eligible dumping of rubbish and keeping our ward and municipality clean.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I have been involved with the community my whole life, growing up in Dandenong and witnessing the early struggles of youth issues. As I got older, I was able to contribute to youth programs within the football clubs I was affiliated with. In 2011, I joined a club called Dandenong Wolves Soccer Club, where I worked alongside the committee to support youth through sport, keeping them on the right path. In 2013, I became president of the club, growing it to include 10 junior teams, a women’s team, a men’s Sunday league team, and a competitive senior and reserve team in State 4 of Football Victoria. In 2015, I helped a fellow club, Dingley Stars, grow by merging with them, which gave me time to step away from the presidency and focus on youth work. During that period, I assisted female members facing domestic violence and helped them through their struggles. After three years, I realized that sports offered a vital safe haven for youth and female community members. This led to the creation of South East United FC, which has been running successfully. The club includes junior teams, some starting as young as 4 years old up to u15s, two of which won their leagues, and a men’s team that also claimed a league victory this year. South East United FC was also the first to hold the GoGirls and Soccer Mums licenses in the municipality. I am currently still president and continue to help youth with issues both on and off the field, and I will carry on this work for the community.
Why are you standing for election?
I am standing for election because I want to provide a strong voice for my community, ensuring that residents get the attention and support they deserve. Having grown up in Dandenong and experienced the challenges faced by youth and families first hand, I am deeply committed to addressing local issues like housing, road safety, and sports facilities, especially in underrepresented areas like Keysborough. My passion for community service, particularly through my work in sports and supporting vulnerable members, drives me to create positive change. By running for election,I aim to enhance the well-being of my diverse community, focusing on youth development, female participation in sports, and ensuring all residents have access to the resources and amenities they need.
What is your campaign budget?
My campaign budget is about $2k
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?
I have one friend who has donated a small amount. The bulk of it is my own contribution.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign?
Being a president of a sports club I have worked alongside many past and present councilors, mayors and MPs. They have all been very supportive to see myself excell further by seeing the work I have done in the community already.
Who will you direct your preferences to?
I haven’t decided yet as I am looking forward to meeting each candidate and absorbing their interest for the community and I will decide in the best interest of the ward and municipality.
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DANIEL DANG
Suburb of residence: Springvale
How long have you lived in Greater Dandenong? Since 2015
Political party (past or present): Labor
Occupation, business/employer name: Director. Ando Auto Group
Property interests: Keysborough
Business interests: Expanding business into Retail Sector
Three most important issues for your ward:
– Improve local roads, public parking and community facilities to support the growing population.
– Affordable housing: as the area experiences growth and increased demand, helping to support diverse community needs.
– Community safety: including better street lighting and security cameras, create youth education programs to help reduce youth crime.
Describe your involvement in the local community:
I have been involved with SEMVAC Help, to provide community engagement, support and help to improve lives for family and senior residents.
Why are you standing for election?
I want to bring new ideas with different approaches. My focus is on improving infrastructure, ensuring affordable housing, and enhancing community safety. I believe in communicating with our local residents and working together to create a better community for everyone.
What is your campaign budget? No budget
Who are your campaign donors? No donors
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? No one at the moment
Who will you direct your preferences to? I would like to ask voter to give me the first preferences. Vote 1 for Daniel Dang. I would love to talk to other candidates to have better understanding.
