Asher leads Bellarine ward trio
OCEAN Grove’s Stephanie Asher triumphed at her fourth attempt to enter Geelong’s political fray, comfortably leading the poll in Bellarine when council election votes were counted at the weekend.
Ms Asher scored enough first preference votes (10,984) to automatically win her ward without preferences.
It was her first poll victory after running in Greater Geelong’s directly elected mayor election (2012) and by-election (2013), with a tilt at the federal seat of Corio (2013) in between.
An author and communications professional, Ms Asher watched the results online from Los Angeles, where she was attending a conference, and posted a brief message online, saying it was nice to finally experience an election victory.
“I know what it’s like to not win, and it’s utterly devastating for a few days ... then you get inspired to do it again. So I hope we see everyone again at the next election,” she said.
The centrist candidate has consistently pitched herself to voters as a team and culture builder keen to unify the council with a focus on strong protocols, governance and clear communication.
“I will call out unprofessional behaviour, party politics and bullying,” was her key campaign catchcry.
“The people of Greater member Jim Mason and Trent Sullivan, president of the Geelong Regional Young Liberals.
“I’m thrilled to be working with colleagues Trent Sullivan and Jim Mason, and together I look forward to providing the Bellarine with a super energetic and balanced team,” Ms Asher said.
She will be back in Geelong by the middle of this week.
“(I’m) looking forward to immersing myself in all things CoGG and making sure the Bellarine Peninsula gets prominence into the future,” she said.
The win caps a big month for Ms Asher, who recently launched her first book The Footy Lady, the authorised biography of businesswoman and prominent Western Bulldogs AFL board member Susan Alberti.