Star reporter Natalie Gallenti went one-on-one with Melton City Council’s new mayor Kathy Majdlik to find out more about the woman behind the politics.
By NATALIE GALLENTI
MELTON mayor Kathy Majdlik is a firm believer in standing up for what you believe in.
The youngest of eight children in a “loud, robust European family”, Cr Majdlik had to work hard to be heard – but she always was.
This commitment, she believes, has paved the way for her latest role – leading the City of Melton.
Cr Majdlik came from humble beginnings to get to where she is now. Her parents migrated from Czechoslovakia to make a home for their young family in Australia and she was a student at St Albans East Primary School and St Albans High School.
“As I got older I always thanked them for uprooting themselves to give their children a better start in life. It’s mind boggling how much they sacrificed,” she said.
After completing high school, Cr Majdlik married her sweetheart Andrew and they had a child, Amy. Up until five years ago, the thought of entering local government had never crossed her mind.
“My husband encouraged me to nominate, he saw it in a local paper and thought I could give it a try. Before that I had started to get involved with families with children with a disability and that’s where it all started.”
The former Sunday school teacher admitted her underlying goal is to one day establish a charity for people with a disability. But right now Melton City Council is her number one priority and with one term under her belt and another just beginning, Cr Majdlik believes this is what she was destined to do.
“A person said to me once local council gets into your blood you can’t get it out.
“I enjoy it on every level. You get to meet a lot of people in the community and hear their stories, and know there are so many people in the community you can help.”
Cr Majdlik is looking forward to the next four years and said the council is up for the challenge. She said providing adequate facilities for young families, youth and seniors as the City’s priority and supporting sporting and community groups.
“The focus (of the next 12 months) is on creating a unified council and getting council to work as a team. Sure we will have differences of opinion and will not agree, but we are all on the same page and in it for the total benefit of the community.”
