By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong CEO John Bennie placed a box of tissues at retiring councillor John Kelly’s seat before his final council meeting got underway.
The 25-year local government veteran spoke with plenty of emotion but managed to get through his goodbyes without shedding a tear.
He even managed a few laughs as he reflected on his decision to not recontest his Silverleaf Ward seat at the Saturday 22 October council elections.
Cr Kelly’s youngest son Matt was just two weeks old when he attended his first meeting in 1991.
“Matt’s about six-foot-three now,” he said.
“That’s what happens when you feed them.”
Matt and siblings Josh, Sarah and Tim “used to wreak a bit of havoc” on a chair lift on the staircase at the old Dandenong council chambers, Cr Kelly recalled.
He thanked his wife Liz and his parents, aged 91 and 93.
“I have no regrets,” he said.
“I’ve enjoyed the journey and I thank you.”
Cr Kelly did acknowledge that the role wasn’t easy, and said he’d been criticised more often than he’d received a pat on the back.
“My motto has always been ‘I don’t care what your race is, I don’t care what your politics are, I don’t care what your religion is – if I can help you, I’ll try’,” he said.
He even contested a motion of no confidence.
“That’s life in a big city,” he said.
“You’ve got to take those things on the chin.
“I’ve had a chance to reflect and move on, although I’ve mentioned it so perhaps I haven’t moved on.”
He served as mayor in 2008 and on several boards and committees, with waste collection and Dandenong Market his passions.
“I’ve been involved at the market since I first got elected,” he said.
“There’s not many cities in Australia that have a market so old and with such diverse businesses in there.
“What a great asset.
“That brings a lot of people to this city.
“And when I first got into council, Tirhatuan Park in Dandenong was just a wasteland.
“Now it’s definitely the best park in Dandenong, it’s a hidden gem.”
Red Gum Ward councillor Jim Memeti said he was sat next to Cr Kelly when he was first elected 11 years ago.
Cr Memeti said his colleague urged him to stand up and move motions relating to his ward.
He recalled his first opportunity to do just that, and Cr Kelly egging him on.
The mayor then asked if there was any opposition to the motion.
“Cr Kelly stood up!” Cr Memeti laughed.
“We don’t always agree on anything, it’s not personal.
“I think you said Maurie Jarvis gave you that advice when you were first elected.
“It’s going to be a strange place without you being there.”
In a public question, resident Colin Riddiford wished Cr Kelly all the best “on behalf of thousands of ratepayers he’s helped”.
“Let us hope that it is a short retirement,” he said.
