Mayor Shane Sali, Cr Seema Abdullah and Cr Greg James have shared their journeys in the Victorian Local Governance Association handbook Represent, aimed at culturally diverse Victorians contemplating political involvement.
Yorta Yorta man Cr James is the first First Nations person elected to local government in Shepparton in 140 years — since its establishment.
“I thought it is time we had a person in our community put their hand up,” he said.
“I feel like I’ve opened a door, so I talk to young Indigenous leaders, I say put your hand up, I want you to come on the journey.”
Cr James said he had invited four young leaders to council to shadow him in his role.
“An Aboriginal person is the best example of culture that anyone could ever want,” he said.
“We bring to the government a real-life perspective of the traditional — walking, living, breathing culture.
“We just need to promote opportunities and we’ll see some remarkable changes. It’s a changing of the guard, a changing of the mindset.”
Cr Abdullah grew up in Pakistan but in 2004 she settled in Melbourne before making her way to Shepparton.
She never imagined that in such a short time she’d be in local government, breaking “many glass ceilings”.
“I am happy and humbled that I am the first Pakistani-born, first-generation migrant-Muslim woman from a middle-class family who became a councillor, mayor and deputy mayor in Greater Shepparton,” she said.
“This is perhaps also the first in the whole state of Victoria and in Australia.“
As a third-generation Albanian migrant, Cr Sali said Shepparton was an anchor for a lot of other multicultural communities.
“I don’t think there is a place like this in Australia,” Cr Sali said.
“You can’t create this environment unless the foundations have been put in place to support migration and diversity over many years.
“I love sitting around with eight other councillors that have a sense of love and connection to the region and want to see it prosper. The conversations are positive.”
The handbook includes information on council and its positions, and considerations before running. It includes 13 interviews with diverse Victorian councillors on navigating local government.
