I would like to congratulate the mayor Peter Besseling and all the councilors elected recently.
I was a councilor candidate (for the Greens Party, ticket No 3) in the last election for local government to promote three issues: to in-source local food production; create agro-eco-tourism; and multiculturalism in our region. All these three issues can combat the urban bias management we have experienced, as we feel we at the hinterland are a low priority area. I would like to do more for closing the rural-urban gap, getting together and enjoying the benefits of the region between both types of residents.
Many of my friends in our village do not like council rates increasing without adequate services provided for us in Kendall and districts. I can relate to the feeling of the upland farmer in my country of origin Burma, as a neglected area. I was working for a watershed management project by the UN and trying to persuade the farmers to grow more trees to save the erosion of watershed area. This building up of watershed area will promote more water for downstream cities. However, the upland farmers are reluctant to grow trees, sacrificing part of their farmland for annual cash crop. When enquired they explained to me that they are like two brothers who inherit a cow. The elder is to inherit the fore part and the younger to inherit the back part. The elder has to feed the cow but the younger has the benefit of milk and cow manure. So why must they, the upland farmers, sacrifice their land for the lowland people? The village elders then tried to settle this problem by getting the brothers to alternate the feeding and receiving the milk every six months each. As this story goes, we in the rural part of the region, who pay rates, should also have more milk and manure, in our case the needs of our hinterland, such as facilities for infrastructure, farmers markets, schools and sports. For example, Kendall needs the tennis court for our children and youth. I have confidence in our mayor Peter Besseling who had helped us when he was a State member, and will always remember his good works for us. I would also like to request the newly elected council to be like the village elders in Burma, giving a fair chance to both rural and urban residents.
I was privileged to stand as a candidate in a democratic country, and can appreciate the freedom of expression as I have been a dissident for democratic change in Burma, having to face the persecution for standing for the needs of people. The two-way information flow between the Australian public and me as a candidate is an invaluable experience. For me, even if a few people who told me my ideas are good in each and every forum I have expressed my views, I feel worthwhile standing in for the election. I hope more people in urban areas can appreciate my views.
I would like to thank all the voters, friends and members of the Greens party who helped me in many ways. Also many thanks to organisations which invited us to come and speak at the public forums to meet the candidates.
Tin Hta Nu
Kendall
