An Ardeer mental health worker who says he was locked in a cage from the age of seven, will draw on his past to help other Brimbank residents if elected to council next year.
Simon Vallone, who has worked with LeadWest, the Sunshine Business Association and the council on numerous programs and projects, is the first resident to declare he will nominate for next October’s council elections.
Mr Vallone, who runs the popular Welcome to Melbourne’s West Facebook page, said working on transitional pathways for workers dealing with a changing local industry, addressing rising house prices and youth problems would be his key issues to tackle if elected.
A victim of sexual abuse as a child, Mr Vallone hopes to use his personal experiences to assist others if elected next year.
“My story is not uncommon in Brimbank …”
He said he has also used the pain of being a victim of sexual assault from the age of seven, as motivation for change in his own life.
“[They] would lock me in bird cages and feed me pet food and … tie me up at times,” he told Star Weekly.
“My story is not uncommon in Brimbank. After going to three friends’ funerals I decided something had to change.”
The 29-year-old, who grew up in Sunshine and St Albans, made his decision to run for council about a year ago.
“My goal is simple – tackle the issues and build a better community that we all can enjoy,” said Mr Vallone, who is a member of the Labor Party..
“It takes one action, one decision to change multiple generations for the better. I hope that we can do the same here in Brimbank.
“Growing up in the west, I’m quite knowledgeable about the issues we face.
“Community development is a skill of mine and is something council is currently lacking.”
Mr Vallone said he was bullied by students, teachers and parents at a Brimbank primary school.
Mr Vallone met his now fiancee while they were both in high school and her family took him in at age 22.
“That’s when my fiancee and I decided we had to change things in our life – we wanted to focus on community and helping others.”
