Jessica O’Donnell

Driving the wider community agenda is a goal of Jessica O’Donnell if elected to West ward.

However, the Drouin resident who works part-time and is studying for a double degree - bachelor of law and bachelor of arts (majoring in international relations) - said she didn’t have any personal agendas to push.

Ms O’Donnell has been involved in a number of community organisations, is a former president of the Committee for Drouin and said she has always been “politically astute”, a point that had been raised with her by a number of people that urged her to nominate for council.

An ability to engage with the community and value the opinions of all people are other attributes she believes she can bring to the council table.

Ms O’Donnell also says she is “not scared of criticism”, rather sees it as something that helps in engaging with people and the community in general.

She said she’d like people to see the towns as places where they want to shop and buy locally.

An expansion of exciting arts activities and events are also a keen interest for Ms O’Donnell having been a committee member of the Off the Leash Theatre Company and commended the current council on advancing plans to upgrade the West Gippsland Arts Centre.

She said councillors should serve and advocate for the whole community and be open, transparent and spend ratepayers’ money wisely.

Describing herself as a “good listener” Ms O’Donnell said she would commit to taking people’s telephone them.

“I want to learn more about people and their issues so that I can advocate for and represent them at council”.

It is the first time Ms O’Donnell has nominated for council.

She believes that as a young person proud to be living in Drouin with her family she can contribute new ideas and perspectives to council.

Ms O’Donnell has lived in Drouin for five years but has worked in the town for two years longer and has lived all of her life in Gippsland. calls and returning