People Power Care for Country

People Power Care for Country

“I feel extremely proud to be able to announce the fourth member of the People Power Team”. Clr Larry Whipper said today in announcing Virginia Brousse as the fourth member of his People Power Team. “

Virginia has a business background and was self employed for 20 years she has an extensive understanding of the difficulties facing self employed people especially for women facing family pressures as well.

Virginia brings a feminine insight and perspective to the team, but also as a direct descendant of the Ellsmore Family she can boast a connection with the area back to the 1830’s. There are very few people who can claim to speak with such a connection to the Wingecarribee Shire. “I believe strongly   that I have responsibility to care for this country that I have inherited” Virginia said.

Virginia sees herself as a caretaker of her family’s property and our collective heritage.   She  believes in preserving the agricultural aspects of the Southern Highlands through selective and sustainable development.

 Virginia says ”The preservation of our water resources and preserving the characteristics of the Wingecarribee for future generations is without doubt what has motivated me to Stand for Election to Council.”

 Virginia is also a member of the Southern Highlands Coal Action Group. “I could not sit on my hands any longer and watch this Shire, the land, I love and our water being threatened. 

“There is a proposed mine under my property and I know the properties of other Highlands residents are also at risk, so I felt that it was time for me to act to preserve the highlands from destructive coal mining and CSG” .

 Virginia feels that this threat has empowered her and has given her  a chance  to re assess her  life and commit time to the community in order to preserve our water and the health of children.

I believe that Larry’s People Power Team have a genuine empathy and commitment to the same values that I hold. People Power is indeed what is needed to stop the rot that is eroding our land, water and lifestyle, without any thought for our children’s future”.

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People Power gets a caffeine boost

GLORIA Jeans Bowral owner Angela Kosac has joined Cr Larry Whipper's People Power team to replace the departing Liam O'Hara.
Ms Kosac and husband Richard moved to Bowral in 2010 with their two children Julia and Alannah.
Ms Kosac supports many charities and initiatives and was a member of Bowral Chamber of Commerce and Retail Sub-Committee.
Being a small business owner, Ms Kosac said she was very aware of the economic hardship in the highlands.
"As a one-income family, we understand the high costs in everyday living all too well and are also aware of the retail hardship in the Highlands," she said.
"Development of Bowral needs to be seriously considered before any further decisions are made that may negatively impact the township particularly parking, and transport and to attract people back into the CBD.
"Our youngest daughter Alannah has special needs and I am passionate about helping mother's groups and know firsthand about the need for more facilities and community initiatives to give respite for parents and siblings to assist in keeping families together.
"I believe in the youth of this community as it is a part of my life on a day-to-day basis and I see the need for more sporting facilities and activities to keep them occupied.
The team was rocked last week by the departure of Mr O'Hara who claimed he had different views on the direction for the team than Cr Whipper had.
Ms Kosac will be the number four candidate on the five-person ticket.
 "Photo courtesy of Southern Highland News" and "Reprinted with permission from Southern Highland News"

Power of five down to four

Power of five down to four:

A member of the People Power election team has pulled out of the campaign only days after Cr Larry Whipper finished announcing all of the five candidates.

“It is with regret I have to announce that Liam O’Hara has agreed to leave the team,” Cr Whipper said.
“This has not been an easy decision. It is, however, a decision that has been endorsed by the team and we wish him well.
“I believe Liam has a lot to offer, has a lot of skills and talent, but there was some intrinsic differences in terms of values and the overall direction our team wanted to go.”
Mr O’Hara said he left the team because his direction for the community was “somewhat different” to that of Cr Whipper, but not necessarily the team as a whole.
“I am of the opinion that team members should be able to express an internal team view about community concerns without detriment to their position on the team,” he said.
He wished the team good luck.

Mr O’Hara was still considering whether to play a part in the elections himself.
Cr Whipper said the team was now negotiating for a replacement for Mr O’Hara on the five-person team.
“We think we’ve got a sound replacement for Liam and it’s somebody who is very involved in the community as well,” he said.

"Reprinted with permission from Southern Highland News" 

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Spilarewicz joins Whipper's team.

COUNCILLOR Larry Whipper has announced the fifth and final member of his People Power Team, Chris Spilarewicz (Ziggy).  Mr Spilarewicz has a background in local and international sport.  He played professionally in Scotland with his local soccer club, Raith Rovers, and moved to Australia in 1968 where he played with champion club side Sydney Hakoah and captained NSW.  When he moved from the city he played with Picton Rangers and Highlands United becoming a life member at both clubs. He also he played for and coached Highland United. Mr Spilarewicz now coaches junior soccer  "I love the sense of community here in the Southern Highlands. It is a fabulous place to bring up a family. Fresh air, a healthy environment and a strong sporting community are well worth protecting," he said.  Mr Spilarewicz has three children and five grandchildren, and for the past 22 years he has worked as a Juvenile Justice officer in Bowral helping young people through the court system and in many cases putting their lives back on track.  "I believe young people have enormous potential and deserve a fair go. I see many young people turn their lives around significantly when given support and understanding," he said. See your ad here  "The recent threat of losing the Juvenile Justice in the Southern Highlands came as a shock to many people and made me aware of how vulnerable and at risk our local youth would be, without local advocacy services.  He said he believed in People Power and said it had an ability to influence positive political outcomes.  Cr Whipper said he has know Ziggy for about 20 years.  "I know beyond doubt that he is a man of integrity, social conscience, strong community values and is certainly a local icon, particularly in sporting circles," he said.

 "Photo courtesy of Southern Highland News" and "Reprinted with permission from Southern Highland News"

This is what some self interested people in the shire are trying to deprive you and your family of!

Even though Council have voted to build the Moss Vale Aquatic Centre, and the JRPP have given approval pending  a few outstanding requirements, there are still some self interested people in the Community who are even now trying to deprive you and your family of this all year round swimming facility.

You could be swimming in and enjoying this in about 12 months time all year round, if the meanies would just go away. Maybe they have already lost anyway!! Shame they will not admit it!

moss-vale-indoor-aquatic-centre-walkthrough

Whipper will contest seat again

13 Jun, 2012 12:00 AM

GREG Franklin's announcement last Friday that he will run for council appears to have opened the floodgates, as one more sitting councillor has announced he will stand.Cr Larry Whipper made a formal announcement on Monday, following the announcements of Mr Franklin and Cr Mauger on Friday, that he would contest the September 8 election and was now finalising his People Power ticket.
He said he believed that he had a proven track record with 13 years' experience on Wingecarribee Shire Council.
"I will head a People Power team once again and continue with my no-nonsense approach on council and a renewed commitment to continue to be a gatekeeper and ensure that local people control and protect the specialness of our shire," he said.
"l will keep on working hard without fear or favour for environmental responsibility, social justice, economic sanity and credible governance.
Cr Whipper first threw his hat in the ring in 1995 and was subsequently elected to Council in 1999.
He said he and the People Power team believed our future was worth fighting for.
"Our water and agricultural land and open spaces are again under threat, from mining and inappropriate development, including the proliferation of Big Box Development," he said.
"I believe it is important to have people on council who know how to engage with the community and advocate for the things we see as important in the Wingecarribee Shire.
"We will not give in though. We will continue the fight and expose the agendas of those who put their own interest above those of the collective."
Cr Whipper's announcement leaves councillors Jim Clark and Ken Halstead as the only two sitting councillors yet to announce their intentions for the upcoming election, which is now just 13 weeks away.
 "Photo courtesy of Southern Highland News" and "Reprinted with permission from Southern Highland News"

Permanent Aboriginal Cultural Centre

You are all invited to attend the Official Opening of the Permanent Aboriginal Cultural Centre.
The event will be held this Saturday the 7th of July from 10am-2pm at the Mineral Springs Reserve. Rainbow Road, Mittagong. This is truly an Historic Event and one that will bear many fruits long into the future.

A traditional lunch of Kup Murri will also be served. Join us and become a part of our local History.
Larry