Brimbank’s newest councillor, Cr Thomas O’Reilly was sworn in officially last week having won a count back to replace former councillor, Trung Luu. The Harvester ward councillor shares with Tara Murray his connection with Brimbank and what local residents can expect from the newest councillor.
What is your connection to Brimbank?
Harvester ward’s history of manufacturing and acceptance of people from different cultures is part of my own family journey in Brimbank. My connection begins with my maternal grandparents, who migrated from Malta to Australia in the 1950s and settled in Sunshine West. My mother, a community advocate, has lived in Sunshine West her whole life. My father first came to Sunshine, travelling from country Victoria for employment, in the 1970s. I come from a diverse, working class family and I am a proud, third generation resident of Brimbank. I have lived in Brimbank my whole life and have grown up across Sunshine. I served on the Brimbank youth council for two terms, in 2020 and 2021, and graduated from the Brimbank community leadership program last December. I have also been involved with engaging community online, as well as initiatives focused on crime prevention, community safety, languages, education and mental health.
Tell us about your favourite places in Brimbank?
I enjoy heading down to my local shopping village for some spring rolls, dim sims and baked desserts. Businesses that sell any type of sweets are always a favourite for me. I also like spending time with nature along the Kororoit Creek Trail, and that helps me to take a break and to recharge.
What do you love about Brimbank?
I believe our greatest strength is the combination of our close proximity to the city and the diversity of cultures, opportunities and experiences that can be found within our local region. Brimbank is a place where people can live, work, study and shop locally. It is a place where people can grow up, have the opportunity to receive an education at the tertiary level locally, and become immersed in different cuisines and traditions. It is a place where people and businesses can capitalise on its untapped potential and geographical location, which is at the heart of the Western Region and as little as 30 minutes away from the Melbourne CBD.
How does it feel to be elected as a Brimbank councillor?
It has certainly been an unexpected opportunity that I have been given the privilege of taking up. I would like to thank the community for giving me the chance to step up and be their voice, Council and the Victorian Electoral Commission for their guidance in accepting the role, and my parents and my twin brother Christopher for their encouragement and support.
Whilst there are many things to learn and to take in over the next few months, I am very excited to be able to create change at a grassroots level. I am looking forward to continuing my involvement in the community as a councillor to create a more beautiful, safer, engaged and resourced Brimbank.
Whilst there are many things to learn and to take in over the next few months, I am very excited to be able to create change at a grassroots level. I am looking forward to continuing my involvement in the community as a councillor to create a more beautiful, safer, engaged and resourced Brimbank.
What can Brimbank residents expect from you as a councillor?
As the now youngest councillor representing Brimbank this term, I want to reassure the community that I want to be here and I understand our local issues and the functions of local government. For my time in Council, I would like to create further opportunities for authentic community engagement, and provide my support for council advocacy priorities. With the upcoming Melbourne Airport Rail Link, our population is expected to increase significantly over the following decades, and we need additional amenities to support this growth particularly in health, transport and education. I want to see a Brimbank that is more beautiful, safer and resourced which values amenities, services, sustainable developments and more open spaces. I believe in a community first council that takes into account our history, our heritage and the needs and perspectives of local voices in decision making.
