In 2008, councillor Wendy Boglary ran for council, promising to always be open and honest and to work hard.
Fifteen years later and as one of two long serving councillors, she believes she has never wavered from that promise.
She is also proud of her achievements in that time.
“It is the small things really, like the couple who always used to walk to catch the train to the city, but then found they needed a breather”
Councillor Wendy Boglary
“Now there’s a chair at the halfway point. There’s the pram ramp so the elderly can ride their mobility scooters.
“These are the things that touch me.”
Cr Boglary said she was lucky enough to work for Division 1, encompassing Wellington Point and Ormiston, although part of her role was also to work for the whole city.
“There is a lot of pressure on the area. We have the train line running through this division, so there is a push to increase density along this structure,” she said.
“It’s a balancing act to do this without destroying the character and the liveability of what we have and love.
“Planning for the future is hard. I concentrate on building community.”
Division 1 is known for its softball and cricket grounds, historic Ormiston House, village precinct, bush and beach.
“It is the small things that make this a tourism and place destination,” Cr Boglary said.
“It’s the footpath linkages which mean that everyone can be joined to their business or school or sport.
“There are the cameras at the Point. But most of all this place is built on the strength of its community.”
Cr Boglary said most of all it was the people she had met in the past 15 years that gave her pleasure.
“There’s the woman who pots plants for the Cancer Council stall. The person who picks up rubbish in the area every day. There are the people who care for wildlife and the bushcare workers who make this a unique and beautiful location,” she said.
“And when I started, I had no idea about the work the volunteers do.
It’s inspirational.
“Council couldn’t afford this work and don’t have the resources to do it.”
Cr Boglary said she still had plenty to do.
“I want continued advocacy on behalf of the community, empowering the community with clear, accountable and transparent facts,” she said.
“There has to be a trust between councils, governments and the community. It is my aim to build this trust and work together.”
