Walkup wins in two wards

By Sarah Schwager
TWO Greater Dandenong councillors will walk into their wards unopposed after a late withdrawal from the ballot paper by a young Dandenong mother.
Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades and Dandenong North’s John Kelly were the only candidates in their wards.
“I’m very humbled and pleased that I have got the opportunity to represent the community again,” Cr Blades said.
But she said she had not wanted to get her hopes up until it was official.
She said there were seven candidates in her ward at the last election.
“I was so convinced it was going to be a big campaign. I organised three weeks off work,” she said.
Cr Blades said it was great to see such a big number of candidates for the elections.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm about being on the council. I hope we can all work well together,” she said.
John Kelly will also serve in his ward for another term after his only other opponent, Kerry Cronjaeger, withdrew from the campaign. Ms Cronjaeger said she had decided to ‘retire’ from the election campaign because she felt she was not prepared and probably would not have won.
“I didn’t know you needed so much preparation. You need someone to show you the ropes,” she said.
The young mother of two said she hoped more young people would stand for council, especially since Clare O’Neil had decided not to run again.
“Young families are coming back into the area. There’s got to be more direct involvement,” Ms Cronjaeger said.
Cr Kelly said it was a nice surprise when council returning officer Bill Irvine rang with the news.
“I’m a bit more relaxed now. I look forward to working for council again,” he said.
He said he particularly wanted to thank those people in the Dandenong North Ward who supported him “through thick and thin”.
He said he would not be cancelling his free sausage sizzle on Saturday from 10am at Brady Road shops and noon at the Outlook Drive shops.