C MELBOURNE GROW TEAM
- Competent
- Committed
- Community Minded
- Cross cultural
- Can-do
Councillor Catherine Ng
Lord Mayoral Candidate for Melbourne
Catherine Ng has been a strong independent Councillor for the City of Melbourne for the past seven years. She has developed a reputation as a hard working, common sense, no-nonsense, accessible and ethical Councillor always looking after Melbourne’s best interests.
She fell in love with Melbourne from the first day she arrived in 1987 and has strived to serve Melbourne passionately ever since.
Her experience speaks for itself. Catherine has worked in managerial roles in small and large businesses in the public and private sectors for the last 20 years. She is currently working as the international business manager at the William Angliss Institute developing international projects in tourism and hospitality.
Catherine was the Masters of Business Administration Student of the Year at Victoria University in 1999 and she was later honoured as the Faculty of Business and Law Legend[1] by Victorian University in 2006. She also has a Certified Developer of Enterprise and Diploma of Company Director, valuable cross-cultural skills and can speak three languages.
Catherine was elected as Councillor in 2001 and again in 2004. She has served seven years as the Chair of the Planning Committee covering both the strategic and statutory planning of the City. She is also serves on many other Committees contributing to policy and strategies in city services, infrastructure, international relations, marketing, finance and corporate governance.
Catherine has overseen the planning and development of the City during one of the fastest periods of population growth in Melbourne’s history.
She has presided over many major initiatives including the very successful reintegration of the Docklands, implementation of strong mandatory height controls to protect city heritage; instigation of tougher noise management measures on behalf of residents; negotiated a vastly improved plan for the building of the Commonwealth Games Village; successfully challenging several inappropriate developments in support of local objections, the Bourke Street Mall revitalisation, the popular introduction of free bus services around the city and pushing for much stronger liquor licensing conditions.
Catherine cares deeply, but she also has the Capabilities, strong Credentials, Commitment that is needed to guide the future of Melbourne.
Key Commitments of Team
C Melbourne Grow team provide a clear strong vision for the future of Melbourne. It is a vision that will build on the city’s strong financial position, its unsurpassed reputation as a great cultural, shopping, dining, entertainment magnet, its undeniable standing for being a wonderful place to live and do business, and its status as the events capital of the Asia-Pacific.
Melbourne must be made safe for its residents and visitors at all times of the day and night. Melbourne must be made more environmentally sustainable to meet the challenges of climate change. Melbourne must maintain its quality of liveability while managing the continued influx of new city residents. Melbourne must reshape itself to become more relevant as the capital of Victoria. Melbourne must not rest on its laurels – it must continue to forge ahead and take every opportunity to stay where it is, the best place to live, work, visit and do business in Australia.
Catherine and her team are looking forward to working with all Melburnians from shopkeepers to new residents to help improve their lives and their businesses.
Terry Makings AM
Deputy Lord Mayor Candidate for Melbourne
Terry brings a breath of local government experience to the role of Deputy Lord Mayor with a keen sense of what makes Melbourne tick, both from inside the organisation and as a long-term resident.
The former Royal Australian Navy officer understands the importance of business activities and living standards in our great city.
He brings practical knowledge that will strongly contribute to rejuvenating our City’s infrastructure, the foundations of Melbourne. He also has a strong commitment to good environmental practises
Highly qualified, with a Masters of Business, his commitment to the community is unquestionable and includes achievements such as:
- Fellow of the Institute of Engineers, Australia.
- Governor of the Shrine of Remembrance
- Director of City Services at the City of Melbourne
- Graduate - Institute of Company Directors
Terry is married to Pammie, has three adult daughters and is not a member of any political party.
COUNCILLORS TEAM
Councillor Brian Shanahan
Brian's demonstrated commitment to resident needs made him the stand out choice as lead Councillor candidate. Brian’s experience and knowledge as a North Melbourne resident includes:
- Current Chair of the Council’s Finance and Governance Committee [2004-2008] and Council’s Audit Committee [2004-2008].
- Extensive local government experience as a former mayor and Councillor with the City of Essendon and Melbourne City Councillor
- Adviser to the Victorian Cabinet Secretary, the Victorian Minister for Health and Secretary of the Victorian Ethnic Affairs Commission.
- Recognised for his community contribution, he received the Federation medal in 2002 and an award from the Governor in 2003 for services to multiculturalism.
- President of the Celtic Club – Australia’s first Irish club from 1995 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2006.
Presently a consultant in the area of community relations and migration, his passions include increasing local government’s responsiveness to community needs by improving the amenity of local residential areas and assisting business development to improve Melbourne’s financial base.
Cr Shanahan, aged 61, is married to Marlene and has two beautiful independent adult daughters.
Connie Paglianiti
With strong ties to the City of Melbourne over the past 26 years, Connie is perhaps best known for her commitment to the vibrant Carlton precinct, where she was President of the Carlton Business Association for seven years.
During that time she:
- Involved in the development of the Italia Piazza,
- Amalgamated the two separate traders association,
- Created a strong working relationship with the Carlton Residents Association,
- Put the traders association on a strong financial footing by eliminating debt,
- Increased events and promotions of the area,
- Supported and promoted La Mama within the association
Mother of a young child, Connie currently runs two businesses based in Melbourne, a software development company, and an events company, that has just taken on the job of revitalizing the Lygon St Festa.
Connie brings to the team a passion for making Melbourne a better place to live, and run a business. She understands the links between business and the residents of the city. She believes residents and businesses want to be in Melbourne because of its dynamism created by all elements of the community.
Neslihan Dastan
A resident of West Melbourne and a business owner, Neslihan understands vertical living and has a commitment to achieving innovative outcomes for residents and business owners.
This vibrant 28-year-old lawyer will bring youth and fresh ideas to Council, which spring from her track record of helping the community.
Neslihan is the Chairman of the Owners Corporation in the building in which she resides, as well as a Committee member of the Owners Corporation of the building which her firms office is situated.
She believes grassroots’ issues are fundamental to the harmonious existence and sustainability of businesses and residents sharing the City of Melbourne.
Neslihan will encourage residents and stakeholder groups in contributing actively to the administration of Council.
Neslihan will encourage residents and stakeholder groups in contributing actively to the administration of Council.
Con Christopoulos
Con’s contribution to Melbourne is renowned through the iconic restaurants and cafés he has owned and managed for nearly two decades.
Founder of Café Segovia in 1992 and later manager of the European and Melbourne Supper Club, Con knows the key ingredients that contribute to Melbourne’s strong café culture that has underpinned our city’s reputation as the world’s most liveable.
A father of two young children, Con understands city living and what it takes to balance a commitment to family with creating robust and successful businesses.
In his spare time, Con has represented Australia in the world championships of beach tennis.
John DawsonBA, FAICD, FAIM, ANZIIF (Fellow), CPT
John has over 30 years leadership experience, including senior executive roles in trade associations and as MD of a financial services group with operations across Australia, NZ and the UK, and a turnover of several hundred million dollars. He has lived and worked internationally, giving him a broad perspective on leadership, personal life and culture.
For the past 16 years he has been Managing Director of Dawson McDonald & Associates, Performance Improvement Consultants, based in Queen Street, Melbourne, with large corporate and public sector clients across Australia. His company is also part of the Persona Global consultancy group, spanning 45 countries.
While John has not stood for public office before, he has served as elected President of various organisations. This and his senior executive roles in trade associations has given him strong skills in consultation, stakeholder management and the importance of listening to and valuing competing views.
John is keen to use his experience and skills to help the Council and Administration to ensure
- Sound strategic direction and financial management in these uncertain times
- Accountability for the management and spending of ratepayers’ money
- That Melbourne is a vibrant, liveable City that functions well for business and residents
- Co-operation with the State Government and Victoria Police to make the City a safe and enjoyable place, especially at night
- Support and encouragement for access to the Arts within the City