AKOONAH WARD
Suburbs: Berwick and Beaconsfield
Candidates: Mush Rahaman, Dianne Pagliuca, Patrick R. Ferdinands, Kushal Shah, Scott William Dowling, Samuel Dennison
Mush Rahaman
Suburb of residence: Berwick
How long have you lived in The City of Casey?: 11 Years
Political party (past or present): No Political affiliation (Both past or Present) – Fully Independent
Occupation, business/employer name: Self-Employed – Owner of La Baguette Cafe, Berwick
Property interests: I currently own the home I live in with my family which I’ve lived in the whole time I’ve lived in Berwick. This reflects our commitment to the community and our investment in its future.
Business interests: I own a hospitality business that creates jobs and fosters strong community connections. This experience has provided me with valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of our community.
Three most important issues for your ward:
Community Safety: Safety remains a critical concern for residents. We need to enhance our efforts by investing in safer roads and infrastructure, better lighting, and expanding neighbourhood watch programs to ensure all residents feel safe.
Support for Our Aging Population: Our aging population is a vital contributor to the local economy. By expanding programs that promote their wellbeing and social engagement, we can empower them to thrive and continue supporting their needs, assisting them to continue to access local businesses & services.
Economic Growth for Small and Medium Enterprises: To create a truly business-friendly environment, we must focus on reducing red tape and offering targeted grants. This will foster economic stability and generate flexible job opportunities, helping young families achieve a balanced life with financial security.
At the core of these efforts is the need for integrity and transparency in leadership. By addressing these interconnected issues—safety, support for our aging population, and economic vitality—while upholding strong ethical standards, we can create a stronger, more resilient City of Casey that benefits all residents.
Describe your involvement in the local community: I am committed to our community, volunteering my time and resources to support local initiatives. As a member of the Narre Warren Business Group, I collaborate with fellow business owners to promote economic growth. My goal is to ensure our neighbourhood thrives and every voice is heard.
Why are you standing for election? Berwick is my home, where I raise my three children and run a small business. I’m committed to our community’s growth and well-being. Through my hospitality venue, I’ve connected with many residents and understand the needs of local businesses. I believe it’s time for our voice to be heard, and I am dedicated to representing your interests on the council.
What is your campaign budget?: I am self-funding my campaign
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed?: I am self-funding my campaign and will not accept any donations.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I have not sought assistance or advice from councillors, ex-councillors, MPs, or ex-MPs for my campaign.
Who will you direct your preferences to? As an independent candidate, I prioritize the needs of our community above party politics. I am not preferencing or aligned with any other candidate because I believe it is your vote, and only you have the right to choose your preferences based on the merits of each candidate.
Dianne Pagliuca
Suburb of Residence: I reside in Berwick, Akoonah Ward.
How long have you lived in the City of Casey? 23 years.
Political party (past or present): no political parties past or present.
Occupation, business/employer name: Home duties.
Property interests: Own home.
Business interests: No business interests.
Three most important issues for your ward:
Delivery of core services, especially roads so as to ease congestion.
Poor planning practices allowing inappropriate or over-development at the expense of the environment and standard of living.
Safety and increased crime rates.
Describe your involvement in the local community: I have volunteered with kindergartens, schools, sporting associations, aged care and tree planting. I have recently completed the Community Leadership Program.
Why are you standing for election? Disillusioned with our current political system, I want to ensure that residents are heard and have the support they need.
What is your campaign budget? $500.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? Self-funded with no campaign donations so I can be a true independent representation for our community.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? Indirectly, I have been influenced by both my father and grandfather who were both Councillors for the City of Dandenong. Their legacy has fostered my dedication and commitment to the community.
Who will you direct your preferences to? I am not providing directions of preferences.
Patrick R. Ferdinands
Suburbs of Residence: I reside in Berwick.
How long have you lived in the City of Casey? I have lived in Berwick, the Ward of Akoonah, with my wife and two daughters since 2004.
Political party (past or present): I am an independent, never having been a member of a political party.
occupation, businesses/employer name: I have a private practice as an independent lawyer dealing with civil matters. I am also employed by Victoria Police as a Prosecutor/Manager.
Property interests: I own my home in Berwick, which is my principal place of residence.
Business interests: I run my own private legal practice, Ferdinands Legal. However, I am independent of any self-interest as my practice does not rely on local infrastructure.
Three most important issues for your ward:
Community Safety: Residents prioritise a safe environment, emphasising the need for reduced crime, well-lit streets, safer roads, and a more inclusive community where trust among neighbours is fostered.
Social Connection and Infrastructure: There is a strong desire for greater community engagement, with calls for more family-friendly activities, multicultural festivals, and support for new residents. This also includes proactive planning to accommodate rapid population growth through enhanced infrastructure and social opportunities.
Transport Infrastructure and Urban Growth: Residents are concerned about improving transport options and managing urban expansion. They seek better public transport, active transport options (eg walking and cycling tracks), and careful planning to maintain a balance between development and the community’s desire for a peaceful, small-town feel.
Addressing these issues is crucial for fostering a vibrant, safe, and connected community in Casey.
Describe your involvement in the local community: Whilst my focus has been on justice and equity across the community more broadly, my goal
in pursuing a position on the council is, if elected, to focus on enhancing community involvement in council matters. I am committed to ensuring that decisions reflect the needs and ideas of today’s residents, fostering an environment where diverse voices are heard and respected.
Why are you standing for election? In short, to serve our community. I have been blessed with the community I have raised my children in and I just want to give back in a way that benefits the community with my unique skills and knowledge. As a prosecutor, I learned the importance of fairness and justice in maintaining public confidence, while my role as board chairperson involved championing open communication, fiscal responsibility, and member engagement.
What is your campaign budget? It is minimal and I am funding my own campaign with no input from others.
Who are your campaign donors? How much have you contributed? I have no campaign donors. I have no intention to put myself in a conflict of interest or even a perceived conflict of interest. I wish to retain a truly independent voice on the council, should I be fortunate enough to earn the trust of the community to be elected to the position.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? None.
Who will you direct your references to? I will allow the local community to direct their preferences as they wish.
Kushal Shah
Suburb of residence: Berwick
How long have you lived in The City of Casey? 20 years
Political party (past or present): None
Occupation, business/employer name: Board Director of Public Sector organisations and Business Owner of a specialist Professional Services Firm advising Private Sector organisations
Property interests: Place of Residence
Business interests: Owner of a specialist Professional Services Firm that only advises and provides solutions to the Private Sector
Three most important issues for your ward: (1) lack of integrity, (2) misgovernance, (3) financial mismanagement. These 3 issues collectively are the root cause of the community’s high level of cynicism, mistrust and dissatisfaction. All other issues are symptoms of these problems – unless these 3 root causes are not addressed, any reforms or solutions will be ineffective.
Describe your involvement in the local community: I am actively involved at both the macro and micro-community levels and have been delivering successful community outcomes for a very long time. As a Board Director on public sector organisations like public hospitals, aged care, art and leisure, languages and water corporations, I have used my professional expertise to improve governance, financial management and organisational performance at these organisations which ultimately enhances the community outcomes and satisfaction. I am also active in industry associations and professional bodies. At a micro level, I am actively involved in the local footy, cricket and soccer sports clubs and also at my kids’ school parents association in Berwick and surrounds. All this macro and micro-community involvement gives me unique insights into the community’s needs and expectations. I wish to leverage these unique community insights and design and deliver ‘fit for purpose’ solutions to the wider community through the Council.
Why are you standing for election? Casey residents are harbouring deep cynicism and mistrust towards Casey Council – in fact lots of residents in the Akoonah ward have expressed a preference for the State Government appointed Administrators to continue instead. Looking at this state of affairs, a famous saying came to my mind – ‘the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good and competent people to do nothing’ and I realised there is no point sitting on the sidelines and complaining. Casey Council has a highly complex legislative, strategic, financial and governance environment that requires a high level of professional competency and experience to excel and add value to the community. Having good intentions and passion for the community is not enough. Looking at the past Councillors and some of the current candidates up for election I remembered the famous saying ‘Be the change that you wish to see in the world’. Being a Chartered Accountant, Lawyer, Executive MBA with 25 years of proven professional expertise in governance, financial management, law and organisational performance, and a track record of delivering community success through my Board roles, it would be highly amiss of me not to use this professional expertise for the benefit of the community that I am so closely involved in, am a part of and where my young children are growing up. I realised I needed to make a positive contribution to the next generation.
What is your campaign budget? $4,000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? It’s time to restore the community’s trust in elected Councillors and have a transparent and demonstrable break from the past. As a result, I am an absolutely independent candidate and am funding my own campaign. I wish to resist the potential of any future conflicts of interest arising from any donations received. I know any potential conflicts of interest can be appropriately managed but I do not wish for such a situation to ever arise.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? None. I do not know any politicians as I am not a politician and do not wish to be one. Local Government level should be apolitical and all about the community, we can leave the politics to the State and Federal level of governance.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Undecided.
Scott William Dowling
Suburb of Residence: Berwick
How long have you lived in the City of Casey? For 20 years, I have had family here for three generations.
Political party (past or present): NIL
Occupation, businesses/employer name: Real Estate Agent, Scott Dowling Real Estate
Property interests: I own my own home.
Business interests: Coffe Forum trading at Akoonah Market on Sundays, Scott Dowling Real State; both businesses are registered and trade in Berwick.
Three most important issues for your ward: Public safety, thriving neighbourhoods and safe roads.
Describe your involvement in the local community: I am on the board of a not-for-profit Musical Theatre Company that puts shows on at Beaconhills College Theatre in Beaconsfield. It creates a great platform for all youths and adults who would like to be involved and build their confidence.
Why are you standing for election? I believe in our city and the people; I will make sure my key criteria are adequately funded. The previous council ruled with self-interest and the current administrators are on autopilot, they are not invested in the community.
What is your campaign budget? $3000
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? I am self-funded.
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? Norma McCausland previous City of Casey Mayor.
Who will you direct your preferences to? Samuel Danniels
Samuel Dennison
Suburb of residence: Berwick in the ward of Akoonah.
How long have you lived in The City of Casey? I have lived in the City of Casey for the majority of the past decade, building my first home here in Cranbourne West and more recently residing in my home in Berwick.
Political party (past or present): I hold a Liberal Party membership, but emphasise that politics has no place in the council. My entire campaign is independently funded and run by myself, family and friends and no big business or political party help. I am not endorsed by any political party or union and will continue to put my case forward to be the best representative for the people of Berwick and Beaconsfield.
Occupation, business/employer name: I have a share in a small automotive audio-visual business based in Carrum Downs called MTX Audio. I have been lucky enough to find a career that I enjoy, employs others and allows me the flexibility to dedicate time to the election campaign and as a councillor if I am lucky enough to be successful.
Property interests: The only property I own is my home here in Berwick.
Business interests: As mentioned above, I own a share in a small business based in Carrum Downs. Some residents have signalled their preference for candidates to have their business interests outside of the Casey electorate.
Three most important issues for your ward:
– A number of locals have shared their concerns over an increasing number of break-ins and aggravated burglaries in homes and businesses. We need to tackle this at a local level, by installing and improving lighting and CCTV systems, marketing local community neighbourhood watch groups and working with local law enforcement to ensure the community is taking the necessary steps to keep their homes and businesses safe.
– Aside from rates and rubbish, another core issue is our road and pedestrian infrastructure. I recently repeated the need for a safe pedestrian crossing across the Princes Highway to Wilson Botanical Park. Speaking with the Friends of Wilson Botanic Park, we cannot afford to leave this issue any longer, following two tragic deaths of those trying to cross this road. (Link to story)
– I’d also like to focus attention on the heart of our community – Berwick Village. It’s time to celebrate the history of our little village, clean it up, sort out the parking and bring back some of the successful events, like the Christmas lights and night markets.
Describe your involvement in the local community: I have been a proactive neighbour, helping out with forming a WhatsApp group to help combat crime on our street. I have volunteered around Casey for over 4 years with the Sikh Volunteers Australia and attended local not for profit clubs and charities such as the Casey Rotary Club, local RSL and Mens Shed and the Mental Health Foundation Australia. I also love attending cultural events such as the Holi Festival earlier this year and recently a Janmashtami event both in Akoonah Park.
Why are you standing for election? I care about our local community and have witnessed the ongoing growth of our area and changing demographics. Residents and businesses deserve to be supported by a local representative that values honesty, accountability, integrity and responsibility – things we cannot afford to have abused or neglected again. I believe it’s time to have a fresh team with new ideas and passion to shape a better municipality for everyone now and into the future.
What is your campaign budget? TBD
Who are your campaign donors? How much have each contributed? I am funding the majority of my campaign personally, the only additional help I have had is from friends and family (thank you!)
What councillors, ex-councillors, MPs or ex-MPs have assisted or advised your campaign? I have reached out to all local representatives, The State Member for Berwick, Brad Battin has offered his support where possible.
Who will you direct your preferences to? TBD
