Large field for Council race

By Kelly Yates
NEXT month’s City of Casey council elections will be contested by a field of 52 candidates, the fourth-highest number of nominees in the state.
Former VFL/AFL football star Geoff Ablett and Narre Warren Chamber of Commerce president Bob Burns have both put up their hands for the November election.
Mr Ablett played more than 200 games for Hawthorn and is the station manager at Casey Radio 3SER.
When nominations closed on Tuesday, current mayor Janet Halsall and husband Bob confirmed they would team up to represent neighbouring wards.
Cr Halsall, who represents the River Gum Ward, told the News she supported her husband’s nomination.
Mr Halsall, a professional actor, will bring a background in finance and business to the council chamber for the Springfield Ward, according to Cr Halsall.
President of the Hampton Park Progress Association Warren Calder has nominated for the River Gum Ward.
Cranbourne North resident John Rickard, 22, will join Casey Kidz Klub co-founder Amanda Stapeldon and former Cranbourne MP and Shire of Cranbourne councillor Gary Rowe for one of two spots in the Mayfield Ward.
The Rotary Club of Narre Warren’s Roger Hall will contest councillors Rob Wilson and Paul Richardson in the Four Oaks Ward.
Mother and daughter duo Beverley Hastie, the ex-wife of former mayor John Hastie, and Karen Baxter will also join the race in the Four Oaks Ward.
Cr Rob Wilson said he was quietly confident he would be re-elected. “But you can never count your chickens,” he laughed.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said he was surprised only two candidates made themselves available for the sole position in the ward. “But both nominees are good candidates,” he said.
During the past few months, first-time candidates have told the News they wanted to inject a fresh outlook into the council and put a stop to the “outrageous infighting”.
Almost 1980 candidates throughout Victoria have formally nominated to secure a spot in their local council, with 452 current councillors standing again.