Councillor for Colac Otway Shire

“A Lavers Hill local, I am committed to to helping the disadvantaged and refugees in our community. I will stand to continue improving Council's sustainability, both in terms of the environment and financially.”

Stephen has represented the community as a Colac Otway Shire Councillor for over ten years, having been elected in 2002, defeated in 2004, then re-elected in 2008 and 2012. During that time Stephen has served as Mayor in 2012 and Deputy Mayor in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Qualified in Economics, Stephen has served on Council's Audit Committee for all his time as a Councillor. He is the Chair of the Corangamite Regional Library Board & a Director of the Barwon South West Waste & Resource Recovery Group.

Stephen is committed to continue improving Council's sustainability, both in terms of the environment and financially. He believes that Local Government has an important role in addressing disadvantage by working with other organisations to improve educational outcomes, to help the disadvantaged and refugees in our community.

Stephen has chosen to stand with The Greens due to shared commitment to its peaceful policies. In 2003, he secured majority Council support for a resolution expressing concern about Australia going to war with Iraq. This was at a time when such a view was against the weight of popular opinion and Colac Otway was one of the first in Victoria to take such a position. Colac Otway Council has also become a “Refugee Welcome Zone”.