Town Talk | Retailer turned mayor is making small towns greater

Lately, several times, I have wondered about our mayor. Okay! I knew he was relatively young — but from my perspective, just about everyone is young. I knew he was a member of a well-respected Shepparton family, and I was also aware he had some responsibility for three local fashion stores. Add three children to the mix, and he’s a busy man.

Then, he became chair of Regional Cities Victoria, which includes 10 of the state’s largest regional cities. Now I want to know more about him. In short, I want to know what drives him.

So, one Saturday afternoon — about 1pm — I sent him an email. Could we have a chat? I wanted to learn about the man, the husband, the dad. An hour later, we had sorted out a day, time and location and made a date.

We were both early, and the place, normally peaceful, was loud. Shane asked a staff member to find us a quiet corner, and we settled in with our coffees.

In my regular chats, I open my notebook with a list of questions to ask. This time was different. The conversation was easy; we found a lot to talk about, and he was leading the conversation. He was relaxed, and so was I. I discovered we had a shared passion: the City of Greater Shepparton. He said he wanted to make our home a better place, and, in my weird way, that’s what I’m trying to do. Shane emphasised that his responsibility was for all of Greater Shepparton, and the smaller towns were as important to him as the city.

He spoke about his youth and said he grew up in the mall because that’s where his parents’ retail shops were. Later, he became a member of the Shepparton Show Me committee and enjoyed making a contribution to all local businesses. That’s when he began thinking about standing for local government and hopefully making things better for all residents.

We spoke about his busy and beautiful wife, Lirie. He said they met at school, and later, she had managed to chase him down. I looked at the laughter in his eyes and knew this wasn’t quite accurate. It is far more likely, I’m guessing, that it was the other way around.

Lirie does the buying for two of the stores and works on the floor at one location. They have three children: Jacob is eight, Lachlan is six, and Chelsea is almost three years old. Shane says his daughter is “very lively” and, perhaps, if she had been born first, they may not have had more children.

Shane’s parents, Hismet and Mary, are still active in the businesses, and this, with Lirie’s assistance, makes it possible for Shane to do the work he does while still being a husband and dad.

The boys have athletics on Saturday and basketball, tennis and swimming during the week. They also go to footy training with their dad. Shane said he’d only got in a few games with Shepparton United last year but kept up with training — when possible — on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I didn’t ask what position he plays, but surely he’s a ruckman. He also goes to the gym on a regular basis.

This sounds like an average, busy family — but then consider that the father is our mayor. His is not a nine-to-five job. Shane said he and Lirie discussed the mayoral role extensively before a decision was made. He is enormously grateful for her support and understanding, and also that of members of his extended family, whom, he says, can always be relied upon to give him real opinions and to tell the truth as they see it.

“I love my job,” he said.

Our mayor usually manages to get home for dinner with the family, but dinner times vary. Sometimes, on a summer evening, they ride bikes to his uncle’s orchard.

Shane said that, although he didn’t have much time for TV (he watches some sports) or reading, he always found time for the News, given its relevance to his job.

He enjoys reading about Greater Shepparton. He also appreciates that the newspaper is still locally owned and wants it to stay that way.

We talked about his family and the passing of his Uncle Sam. He said that in recent times, he had learned to truly appreciate the contribution Sam Sali made to this region. He mentioned that his father and the two Shepparton-based uncles had contributed to three very different but important areas: agriculture, retail and transport. He also said that his Uncle Avni, though no longer Shepparton-based, came home regularly — and that Avni’s children, though not Shepp-born, saw our city as their spiritual home.

I asked about the Sali Scholarship, which is presented annually at Grahamvale Primary. He said it came about because his uncles and father had all attended there and greatly appreciated the school. I am also a ‘fan’ of the Grahamvale school, particularly after attending an Anzac service there. To see hundreds of young people taking their places in an orderly fashion — in silence — and showing respect for their history throughout the service impressed me greatly. It is an important lesson to learn.

Okay! Out with it, Marnie!

I have yet to mention a couple of reasons why this conversation was taking place.

The first seemed like an anomaly to me.

During several conversations with callers complaining about Greater Shepparton City Council, not one person said anything negative about Shane Sali. A little odd, I thought. So, I began deliberately introducing his name into the conversations — and got the same response. “Oh, he seems to be doing a good job” or a similar comment. Why, I wondered, was our mayor not being ‘tarred with the same brush’ as the broader council?

The second reason emerged when Shane became chair of Regional Cities Victoria. Is he thinking about another role — an even larger job? Has he set his sights on Spring St or Canberra? I took my notebook out, and when I knew that I’d get a complete and honest answer, I asked him.

He talked about his passion for and commitment to the City of Greater Shepparton. He, once again, mentioned his desire to make our home a better place and that he had no political plans other than this. If things were to change, the community would tell him. “But never say never.”

My conclusion

Our meeting took place on Monday, January 15. The next morning, he would read — yet again — about council’s Australia Day decision and the opinions of some of our readers. So, I warned him, and we discussed it briefly.

Recently, one of Town Talk’s long-time readers told me to retain my rose-coloured glasses; he felt they were working well. Nevertheless, in a situation like this one, I’m aware of my tendency to see the world and its people in a different way than Roger.

However, I can only write as I see and feel — and I think Shane Sali is the ‘real deal’. I think his dedication to his home town is genuine, and I know he wants to make things better for the people of Greater Shepparton. And, if leadership is taking the people with you, he is born to lead. Perhaps the latter goes some way to explaining the anomaly I encountered in our readers’ opinions.

There is also something else that could benefit him and us. He is strong — tough, even. He does not appear to be the sort of person to fall with the first punch. There is a resilience that could serve him well.

In learning about the man, the husband and the dad, I also learned a fair bit about the politician.

With total sincerity, I wish him well.

Until next week

Last night, I read a sentence in a book that reminded me of so many of you: “There is an obligation to fulfil potential and to put it in service to the community and the country.” Many of you do just that — across a variety of organisations, churches or clubs. I’ll not name you because that is intrusive and, perhaps, embarrassing. However, it is something I think is important.

And, as I have mentioned previously, Michelle Obama has written, “One engaged community can ignite those around it.”

Thank you for all you do.

Look after yourselves, and may it be easy, my friends.

Marnie

Email: Towntalk@sheppnews.com.au

Letter: Town Talk. Shepparton News. P.O. Box 204. Shepparton 3631.

Phone: Send a text to 0418 962 507. (Note: text only. I will call you back if you wish.)