Council
9 September, 2024
Councillor Massey closes council chapter
Yarriambiack Shire residents will have to say goodbye to long-time councillor Graeme Massey this October, following his decision not to run in the upcoming local council elections.
Mr Massey was born in New Zealand in 1947 and moved to Melbourne, Victoria, when he was nine years old.
He went to Surrey Hills Primary School and Box Hill High School, before studying at Monash University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in history politics.
This led him to complete his Diploma of Education.
Mr Massey taught history and politics to secondary school students, beginning in 1971 in Ouyen.
"It used to be called 'social studies'," Mr Massey said.
After three years, Mr Massey decided to travel the world for a year, and in 1975 he met his wife, Mary.
"We met on the ship on the way to Europe," he said.
The couple moved to Warracknabeal when they married, 49 years ago, and had two daughters, Kathryn and Jo, who both live out of town now.
Warracknabeal Secondary College became Mr Massey's new home for teaching in 1975.
He stayed there until he retired in 2010 to take up a career in local council.
"I was looking for something to contribute to the community," Mr Massey said.
"I also liked politics."
Mr Massey was elected mayor in 2016, and served for five years at the head of council, before stepping back to allow current mayor Cr Kylie Zanker to step into the role.
"It's an interesting role to have," Mr Massey said.
"Seeing inside council, it's a different perspective."
Mr Massey has worked closely with three CEOs in his time: Ray Campling, Jessie Holmes and Tammy Smith, and said everyone in council gets along well with one another.
"The CEOs all brought something different to council and were excellent to work with," Mr Massey said.
"With Tammy on board, Yarriambiack is going in a positive direction.
"It really makes a huge difference when you've got good shire staff to work with."
A major change in council that Mr Massey highlighted came about during the Covid pandemic, with the restrictions and quarantine rules.
"That was the biggest change," he said.
"It's not the same contact anymore, everything is done via Teams and Zoom."
After 12 years, Mr Massey is ready to close his council chapter to make way for new blood, and is looking forward to spending more time with his family and the community groups he volunteers for.
"The older you get, you lose the drive ,and I didn't want to stay on council and not give 100 per cent," he said.
"You're priorities change a bit and I wanted to leave on my own terms."
Mr Massey is president of the Warracknabeal RSL, chairperson of the Warracknabeal and District Historical Society, and chairperson of Warracknabeal Neighbourhood House.
He is also a member of Legacy, Warracknabeal Lions Club, and is a trustee of Anzac Park.
"I'm happy I stood, and I enjoyed my time as mayor," he said.
"It's a rewarding position to have."
Mr Massey imparted some words of wisdom for those considering standing for council in this year's elections.
"You realise the need to devote time to reading and understanding issues, which comes over time," he said.
"You need to make yourself available to the community, and you'll learn how to balance work, life, family, and council."
