A few things we learned from our chat with him:

• He takes pizza very seriously
• He was technically in a Hollywood movie (blink and you’ll miss him)
• He thinks he can bench more than the other Councillors
• He won a Victorian OneWheel title (yes, really)
• And his perfect Geelong day involves the You Yangs, Little Malop Street and possibly karaok

His reason for running was pretty simple: after years of saying “someone should do something”, he decided to have a go himself. You can read more about his background, what he cares about locally, and what he would love to see change in Geelong in our latest Councillor Q&A.

Tells us about you: i.e. family, hobbies, profession, suburb where you live, background, anything else you’d like to add.

I live in Lara, have been here for a little over ten years now. I was born and grew up in the mean streets of Surrey Hills. Then I joined the Army and lived in Townsville (FNQ), Oakey (middle of nowhere... QLD), Cronulla (NSW), Marrickville (NSW).

I also spent 8 months in East Timor (Timor Leste) on deployment, if that counts towards places I have lived. My parents are now in Barwon Heads. Dad was a truck driver and Mum was a primary school teacher. I have been a Combat Engineer, Clerk, and Logistics and Loadmaster in the Australian Army. I have also been a Victorian Police member.

I was on the Richmond Divisional Van where we had lots of issues with drugs and petty crime, then was in the Public Order Response Team from around 2014–2017. I then joined the Critical Incident Response Team where I was one of the members who arrested Jonathon Dick, amongst other jobs. Then in CIRT, I became a negotiator, then finished up working the Geelong Divisional Van over the road from where I am now in the Council offices.

What achievement in your term or career as a councillor are you most proud of so far?

I have loved the interaction with the Geelong Venom and Geelong United Basketball, allowing them to prosper and seeing the difference from the first season to the second and the community that has created. Numbers rising and although on court we had some really unlucky seasons for some of the players, the crowd showed up and I love the vibe. Seeing the flags and community on Australia Day after the community was very vocal about wanting to be able to celebrate this amazing country was also great.

It is only early, so it has been learning about stewardship and the decisions made in this Council likely won't be felt until the next year or so. Nothing moves quickly and I was able to open the Anakie Netball courts along with the Lara Swimming Centre new roof and the Batesford Hall. These are things I was privileged to open, however the work had been done in previous years with Cr Aitken and Kylie Gryzbek and likely after me, a new councillor or, if I am lucky enough, I will be able to open some new community facilities in Lara.

What’s your favourite thing about your ward?

I love how vast the You Yangs ward is. It is – geographically speaking – the largest of 11 new City of Greater Geelong wards, and spans from Balliang in the north to Stonehaven in the south. We have an airport, airshow, Avalon Raceway, businesses supplying the world with life support systems, national and state parks and one of the most proactive RSLshe community of the Lara Sporting Club, Lara Lions, Bendigo Bank and Rotary all provide the backbone to this ward with funding and sponsoring so much. Along with the Bisinella family coming to assist with funds to help fight the incinerator coming to Lara.

Favourite food?

It's pizza, but like, a snob pizza.

Favourite movie and/or TV show?

Well, this is not fair as I am not a cinephile. But, depending on my mood:
Braveheart, Black Hawk Down, City of Angels, End of Watch, Blood Diamond and more. I have just seen Project Hail Mary and it was sensational and an emotional rollercoaster. I am also going to say War Machine (only due to being in it for like 3 seconds total time with 5 appearances, good luck finding me as an extra...).

Do you have any pets?

Currently, a ragdoll cat. Previously a rabbit, which I never thought would be as social and caring as they are. They also destroy everything! I am a dog person but too busy to commit to it currently.

Favourite travel destination?

I don't have a favourite. I have loved each place for different reasons. I loved USA and road tripping, get away from LA and the bigger places. Although everyone needs to do a Vegas trip at least once. New Zealand for the free spirit of adventure and lack of red tape for doing extreme activities! I would, however, love to do the Sturgis Route 66 run in its entirety and also go back to Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea not as an ADF member and just tour on motorbikes like I am Ewan McGregor on Long Way Round.

I haven't been to Europe but would love to see all the battlegrounds of Hastings from 1066, the beach at Gallipoli and just all the historical buildings that come from thousands of years of developing history like the ancient Greek buildings and Gothic architecture in Prague.

Do you have any unique skills or abilities?

I can bench more than the other Councillors. At least, I think I can.

I have flown a plane and a helicopter and ride motorbikes. I also have my Heavy Rigid licence. Most of my unique skills are more like Liam Neeson in Taken, so likely to get me on a watch list and shouldn't mention them here...

What does a perfect day in Greater Geelong look like to you?

Seeing the sunrise up on Big Rock in the You Yangs, then doing some breakfast on the Esplanade. I do love some Sailors Rest breakfast Benedict.
One-wheeling along the Esplanade all the way back to Hovells Creek.

Then lunch at Rod's Bakery in Lara is in there.

Perfect weather would mean hitting a beach. If the surf's up I would head to Torquay or Barwon Heads 13th Beach. If not, the Lara Pool is a great close hang out.
Dinner on Little Malop and some jazz or a show in the Arts Centre. Some ice cream or some Lukumades would be sweet. Then some karaoke!

What are you most passionate about in Geelong?

I want to see Geelong be the example to Melbourne. We have space and the opportunity to build the most amazing city. We have so many amazing natural features with the Barwon River, You Yangs, a large waterfront, Geelong Botanic Gardens etc and the chance to be better going forward. I would love to be doing what South Australia are doing to Victoria. Steal all the events Melbourne has and bring them here! I also would love the new Market Square to be iconic and something the whole region wants to flock to, not be embarrassed of. The flamboyant part in me would love to see something like the Luxor Hotel in Vegas with a light you could see in Melbourne haha.

If there is one thing you could change about Geelong, what would you change?

Market Square and the Bus Terminal. Besides that, turning Geelong into a proud tourist destination, food and wine leader in its food and beverage industry.