City of Kingston 2008
Club Life Member Peter Davis has advised the Club that he has nominated for Central Ward in the upcoming City of Kingston Council Elections in Central Ward and is seeking the support of club members and supporters.
Central Ward includes Cheltenham, Mentone, Parkdale, Moorabbin Airport, Mordialloc and Braeside.
Peter is standing on being accessible to residents, (his telephone number is 0417357634, email ), greater support by council for our volunteer groups, sporting clubs and disability services, obtaining maximum funding from State & Federal Governments for facilities upgrades, cutting back waste so ratepayers receive value for our rates, stopping inappropriate development and creating a climate smart council, supporting our green wedge through the Moorabbin, Heatherton, Braeside and Aspendale Gardens areas.
Peter has always had an interest in Local Government, firstly whilst working as an electorate officer for the former MP for Mentone Peter Spyker and standing for Council in the old City of Mordialloc to protect club interests when the then Council indicated it’s intention to sell off land in Remo Street for housing against their own policy of purchasing all properties in the street as they come available for eventual use by the club.
Peter has been particularly active for the club over the past four years, firstly obtaining a lease on the Southern Road Reserve for our use enabling us to grow, gaining support from local MP Janice Munt for funding of the Mentone Reserve top dressing at the end of the 2007 football season and gaining support from Mayor Bill Nixon for the purchase of 9 Remo Street Mentone this year. The property was purchased by Council for over $700,000. Peter has also gained some minor funding for the club this year, again through Mayor Bill Nixon, he has applied for funding of $5000 which would complete the new Gents and Disabled toilet facility.
Most club members would be unaware of Peter’s work over the years which officially commenced in 1977 when he first became a Committee member. (Peter’s father Jack was a Trainer during the sixties when Mentone F.C. won Premierships in 1967 & 1968) In 1979 the Mentone Junior Football Club was formed and mid way through the 1980 season he became Secretary. A position he held every year except 1987 until the start of 1993 when work commitments took him to Tassie. Peter was one of the instigators of the merging of Mentone Football Club, St Bedes Old Collegians Football Club and the Mentone Junior Football Club back in 1992. Peter was made a life member in 1985 and in 2004 was inducted into the club’s 100 year celebration ‘Inaugural Hall of Fame’ function. Peter was again elected Secretary in 2005 and part of 2006 and continues to assist the Senior team on match days.
Earlier this year Peter presented a visionary document to the State Minister for Sport James Merlino seeking future funding for a Community Hub project in collaboration with Central Bayside Disability Support Services. Central Bayside uses the Mentone Pavilion Monday to Friday.
When asked of his chances Peter advised the club that there are 21 candidates standing so he is trying to contact as many residents as possible between now and the end of November. “This election sees major changes to the boundaries and votes required are much higher that in past elections”. “The election is conducted by the Victorian Electoral Commission and is by postal vote”. “Past elections in Kingston were seven individual wards, where now it will be 3 wards electing 3 councilors”. “I need a quota of around 5500 votes so even though St Bedes / Mentone Tigers are the largest sporting club in the City of Kingston, I really need every member to raise the council election with their relatives, friends and neighbours”. “Votes are posted out between November 11 and 13 and must be returned before 6.00pm November 28”.