It’s no contest for veteran councillor

By Kath Gannaway
O’SHANNASSY Ward councillor Monika Keane admits she is relieved she doesn’t have to fight for her seat at the upcoming Shire of Yarra Ranges elections.
She’s a popular councillor, a local ‘girl’ known to many of her constituents as ‘Cr Mon’, rather than the more formal Cr Keane, or Ms deputy mayor.
But there are no guarantees in politics local or otherwise.
“After six years of working with the community we have achieved so much and I wanted to finish off what I started, and there is more to be achieved,” she told the Mail last week barely drawing breath between assignments.
Married to Kevin, a local builder, and with strong support from her family, she says that at 29 when she first signed on, and even now, she doubts she could do the job successfully if she was working fulltime.
“I sold my business very early on for that reason,” she said.
“You can be doing something all day, every day, and while it’s about finding a balance, the workload is immense.
“This week, Saturday night will be the first night where I haven’t got something on.”
While the thought of being a ‘veteran’ at the council table is one she is happy to embrace, she says she finds the actual title a bit daunting.
“I don’t know whether I like the sound of that at 35, but I guess I have been around for a while and that will be another opportunity for me.
“From the very first day I was elected, Di (Cr Di Moore) took me under her wing and showed me the hows and whys,” she says with obvious gratitude and affection for the woman she describes as her mentor.
“I really don’t know whether I’d still be around today if it hadn’t been for her guidance and I guess it’s my turn now to help a new person learn the ropes.
“I’m looking forward to being on the other side and giving back what I have been given.”
Asked whether she thinks women bring anything different to the role… “apart from that I get to wear great shoes,” she quips, then, quickly readjusting her political correctness
“It’s just not an issue. I think when you look at the three women, Di, Robyn (Hale) and myself, we are all very different and bring different things to the role just as the different individual male councillors do.”
Her family keeps her grounded and being approachable by the residents she represents is part of who she is and how she does her job.
“At the end of the day everything I do and want is for what I consider my family.
“I don’t want to be seen as someone who is far removed from their community.
“Being really involved in projects, and being Cr Mon is part of that.
So is being out there when it comes to showing her support for the projects which are dear to her heart.
“I guess if it’s something I believe in, I give it 100 per cent.
“If that means taking off all my clothes and getting photographed (for the Wonderful Women of Warburton barealmostall post card project), or jumping into a pool (opening of the Yarra Junction Aquatic Centre) then that’s what I’ll do.”
Reflecting on major achievements Cr Keane says the two upgrades to public transport were satisfying but she is more than keen to look ahead to what can be achieved in the next three years and, who knows, beyond!
“There’s a lot to be done but if I have to choose any one or two things, I am really looking forward to seeing the Mechanics’ Institute Hall up and running again and the Children and Family Services Centre in Yarra Junction providing services to Upper Yarra families.”
By now, she’s on a roll “and just trying to make sure that the Upper Yarra grows responsibly trying to keep development appropriate to this area,” she concludes with the hint of the campaigner in her.