By Ethan Benedicto
With a strong focus on cultivating the youth, Kim Ross has announced her candidacy for the upcoming Casey Council elections this October.
Running as an independent for Casuarina Ward, Ross sees the need to address the need for further support of not just her ward, but Casey’s youth, acknowledging that tackling their issues means tackling the municipality’s issues.
With over 17 years of experience as a psychologist working on children, families and adolescents, Ross said she is well-equipped to address the unique challenges that face young people, but also to navigate effective communication with residents when it comes to their concerns.
“When I woke up one night, I was contemplating running [for council], and I said, it’s got to be youth first, you know?” Ross said.
Using Max Pawsey Reserve as an example, Ross added that previously, it was a strong way for everyone to connect to the community, but the lack of development since council cited it in 2016 has “highlighted the lack of transparency in council”.
“How hard it is to get information about a public resource, as well as how plans change without any explanation,” she said.
With a youth-centric lens, Ross is looking to tackle topics such as climate action, accessibility such as footpaths, bike paths and reserves like Max Pawsey, but also local employment.
“Getting local work experience is really hard, its difficult, but it’s also school engagement; we have a lot of schools [in Casey] and we have a lot of school refusals, school disengagement.
“What happens to those kids? That 16-25 age bracket where it’s so easy to fall through the gaps with education and employment?
“It’s about creating a space where young people don’t have to leave the area to belong, where they don’t have to go out there and do fun things; why aren’t they here?” Ross said.
From councils to everyday adults, Ross is adamant that there is a critical role to be played, one that has adults “stand up, take committed action and be the leaders the youth need”.
“We can’t rely on the youth to fix the problems, we have to show them, we have to give hope back.
“We know the youth are lonelier, they’re more anxious, they’re less happy.
“As parents, as a mum, as a psychologist, a mental health leader, and as someone that’s been here for 25 years, we need to stand up.”
Citing a widespread belief of councils needing to “stay in their lane”, Ross agrees that there is a must for tending to the roads, the grasses and transparency with decision-making and policies, but “we’re also more than that”.
A need for proactive and compassionate leadership is a must for the new council, where the well-being of all residents, including “queer young adults, the disabled, the anxious and disengaged – everyone”, is a must.
Ross, who has been a long member of the Narre Warren Business Group is adamant that a comprehensive approach to governance is what Casey needs, coupled with proper collaboration with all parties involved, from the LGA to state and federal levels.
A vision of inclusion, much-needed transparency between leadership and the people, and responsibility, is what Casey needs, “we provide leadership now with committed action and hope, or we send ourselves down a path of increased fragmentation”.
“So when we strengthen connection and show this, the youth grow up believing that we will do right by them, that the adults have their back.
“It’s a buy-in, to show that there is hope, and hope brings more action, so it’s not a choice, it’s a must,” Ross said.
The focus is not just addressing immediate needs, but also laying the groundwork for a better, more connected community in the years to come.
“I want my kids to feel proud living in Casey, I want them to see us, if not as leaders, then right up there next to whoever is leading – joint leadership with driving for a better future.
“I know my kids need it, I know my clients need it, they have to see adults putting their money where their mouth is and doing the hard stuff,” she said.
How Ross said she can contribute to that is through her years as a psychologist giving her the perfect platform of hearing different people’s perspectives and finding the best path to a levelled solution.
Being able to discern differences from common standpoints, agreeing on those and “highlighting commonalities” is what’s on the table.
“Using things like reflective practice, acknowledging thoughts and feelings, bringing in a nonjudgemental nature to processes and helping foster curiosity about things is key.
“So it’s to stop and listen and really hear what someone is saying, and what might be underneath what they’re saying, whether it’s pride, fear or other things and being able to pull that out – being able to look beyond emotion,” she said.
Realistic of the challenges ahead, there is recognition from Ross that extensive work must be done to restore trust in the council, emphasising the importance of internal reform and ethical leadership.
This rings true especially for Casuarina Ward, considering it’s one of the largest wards in Casey with nearly 23,000 as of July 2023.
Covering Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Cranbourne North, Ross said that she wants to induce a ripple effect where she makes it known that anyone can come and speak to her and voice their concerns.
Speaking about whether she was to be a councillor or not, she said the future council “has to be careful not to promise too much”.
“If you do that and you get elected, and you’re not going to be able to keep your promises, you’re off to a really bad start, and it’s easy to get caught in that trap.
“It’s going to be a hard fight to get the trust, you have to balance it, you can’t be accessible 24/7 unless you’re the mayor, so you have to be clear about your boundaries.
“If people know what you’re doing, the clearer and more direct councillors are, and the less you obfuscate, the better, and that’s going to be crucial for trust as well,” Ross said.
As the election is fast approaching, Ross’s message is clear, Casey is in need of leadership that is transparent, committed, and focused on the future, a future where the youth are empowered, the council is trusted and the community is strong.
