Former Benalla school teacher Vince Branigan has joined the race for council. The Ensign caught up with him this week.
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Why have you decided to run for council?
I have always been interested in local government because it’s the one that has the greatest impact on our immediate quality of life.
Think for a moment about the footpaths we walk on or the quality of many of the roads we drive on; the parks; gardens; library; and sporting facilities where we spend our recreational hours.
They are all some of the many things that we take for granted that are provided by our local council.
As well, the decisions made by our local council also have enormous implications for potential investment in our shire and subsequent employment opportunities.
In the post COVID-19 period, it is essential that council plays a major leadership role in assisting businesses and sporting clubs return to normal.
Splash park ready for grand opening
Have you been on a local council – or similar group before? And, if so, how will that experience help you in council?
My election slogan is leadership, integrity and vision.
I have never been a councillor before, but as a very passionate and innovative secondary school English, drama and history teacher since 1979, I have had numerous leadership positions in schools.
On World Teachers Day in 2011, I was one of only 10 teachers in Victoria recognised by the Victorian Institute of Teaching as a "teacher who matters".
In the local community, I was president of the Benalla Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club for 12 years, president of the local branch of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society for four years and, since 2012, an active member of the organising committee of the Benalla Festival.
I was responsible for the introduction of the popular Benalla Festival writing competition and historical walks.
In 2017 I was named Benalla Rural City Citizen of the Year.
Pool being refurbished in advance of re-opening
Tell me a bit about yourself for those in town who might not know you?
I was born in Benalla and raised on the family farm at Swanpool (which has now been in the Branigan family for five generations).
During my formative years, the importance of living in a vibrant community was instilled in me.
I was encouraged to be a "participant and not a spectator" by my wonderful teacher of four years at Swanpool Primary School, Harry Dennis.
I can trace my love of literature and the performing arts, the importance of studying history, how sport builds a good character and the need to care for our environment back to him.
A keen sportsperson, I still play competitive tennis, jog and swim regularly.
Between 1989 and 2003 I completed 15 Melbourne marathons (42.2 km) and each January since 2004 I have completed the 1.2 km Lorne Pier to Pub swim.
What policies/programs/initiatives etc would you like to work towards in the next four years if you are elected?
● Economic development – building on what has been done over the past four years and continue to attract investment that creates real employment opportunities;
● In the post COVID-19 period, support businesses that have been impacted by lockdowns to get back on to their feet. For example, to assist the hospitality industry with the provision of vouchers to ratepayers to eat locally
● Support our wonderful sports clubs across the shire to continue to provide first class facilities;
● Continued improvement of rural roads and bridges;
● Greater weed control, for example blackberries that are a major problem along rural roads and are choking waterways;
● Greater control of feral pests, such as foxes;
Council candidates: Mayor Danny Claridge
● Supporting our rural communities’ innovations;
● Having lived in Benalla in October 1993 when 2000 houses were flooded, supporting the SOS campaign – "The obvious and simple solution is to move 1.3 km of the current XPT line to the other side (western side) of the Benalla railway station";
● Continued development of our parks and gardens;
● Continued support of festivals, cultural events and the performing arts;
● "It takes a village to raise a child". Supporting local philanthropic organisations, such as Tomorrow Today and their Connect 9 program; and
● Continue to support council’s delivery of aged and disability care;
What has been your opinion of the current council/councillors during their time on council?
I actually think that the 2016–2020 Benalla Rural City Council has been quite effective and a massive improvement on the dysfunctional one that it replaced.
In my role as a member of the Benalla Festival organising committee, I worked closely with councillor Barbara Alexandra and events co-ordinator Sharon Geer.
I always found both to be extremely professional.
They were a major reason why the Benalla Festival has gone from strength to strength.
Benalla’s Ceremic Mural: The prehistoric Chameleon
Do you have anything you would like to add?
I would like to encourage voters to seriously consider how they allocate their preferences.
They will determine who their seven Benalla Rural councillors will be for the next four years.
However, I respectfully request that you give me your first preference and Vote 1 Vincent Branigan.
I won’t let you down.
If elected, I pledge to work constructively with my fellow councillors and staff to develop Benalla Rural City Council into a high-performing and innovative organisation.
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