By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
IT’S doubtful anyone other than Robin Dzedins can say they’ve attended every public council meeting since the City of Casey’s inception.
It means Robin has sat in more than 500 meetings over the almost two decades since they were made open to the public in 1998.
That’s not to mention the couple of years worth of meetings the community stalwart attended when her local council was still the Shire of Cranbourne before it merged with the City of Berwick.
“I’m interested in how our city runs, I’m interested in helping it be good,” Robin, who lives in Lynbrook, told Star News.
“I’m interested in contributing, I’m interested in hearing how its run.”
Robin – who is a member of the council’s conservation advisory committee, access and inclusion committee and the multifaith network – has seen a lot in the chambers over all these years.
“There have been some unpleasant times where there was extreme tension between councillors so it wasn’t easy for them to work together,” Robin said.
But to counter the lows, Robin, a previous Casey volunteer award winner, said one of the biggest positives for council and the community was the looming development of Bunjil Place, council’s new cultural precinct.
“That’s a standout for me, I think it will be so good for the city,” she said.
“I’m dying to see an arts centre, and for us to have a big library.”
An avid bird watcher, Robin has been passionate about the environment for as long as she can remember.
“I’ve always been interested in attending council meetings because of my interest in environmental matters,” she said.
“I’m always very aware of any council decisions that might affect the environment.”
Going forward, Robin said the biggest issue for the City of Casey will be managing the municipality’s ever burgeoning growth.
“It’s grown so big that many people living in Casey have utterly no idea where the borders are,” she said.
“I find that sad.
“I think if you live in Casey it’s good to know about it and to know exactly where it is and what it includes.”
