What’s your connection to Derrimut?
I moved with my family from Sunshine to Derrimut about eight years ago. I have lived in a few western suburbs over the years but I can say without any doubt that Derrimut is a great suburb to live in. My children go to the local primary school. I just love everything about this place. The suburb has improved considerably over the last few years. I am very happy to have moved here.
What do you like about the suburb?
This is a nice and peaceful area to bring up a family. There are plenty of parks with kids playgrounds. Travel to CBD is easy and takes less than 15 minutes via Western Highway, and there are plenty of transport options nearby. There are train stations within a few minutes drive (Ginifer, Sunshine, etc.) and buses that run through Brimbank Gardens.
There are plenty of conveniences, gyms and good primary schools (Derrimut and St Lawrence) which are walking distance away from my house. It is a safe area and I have not encountered any problems so far.
What could make it better?
As this area is growing rapidly, the traffic is gradually increasing and in the peak time it can take up to 25 minutes to get to Sunshine. I also feel that we should have more community and open spaces where residents can go and have a good time interacting with other residents. It would also be nice if we can have a secondary school in this area.
Has it shaped who you are at all?
One of the reasons that I really like living in this area is that I have friendly and helpful neighbours. There is such a strong sense of community.
I also love the fact that there are people from different nationalities and backgrounds who live here and I really enjoy interacting and working with people from diverse communities to address issues that face us at a local level and then to find ways to address these issues.
I also get to learn so much from other people’s insights, knowledge and experience. Living and raising my family over here has helped me become a much stronger and a better person as a result of the strong relationships I have made with the local residents and other local community organisations.
Where do you take guests to “show off” your neighbourhood?
I feel very proud and lucky living in this neighbourhood as it has so much to offer and there are so many places to see.
There’s Sunshine golf course which has magnificent views to the city and has great meals and is very reasonably priced.
We have Altona beach that is just a short drive away. There are also a few good parks and other recreational facilities.
When and why did you start the Derrimut Residents Association?
As a local resident who is quite passionate about issues facing my local community, I decided to form an association with other residents who shared my passion to make a difference and work together for the local community.
It now has 20 members who meet regularly to address the most pressing issues facing the community and then find ideas, suggestions, and strategies to solve them.
DRWA’s main objective is to make diverse community members feel welcome and included.
It also encourages residents to become actively involved in their community.
DRWA is trying to reduce loneliness and social isolation by addressing barriers that stand between disadvantaged residents and active community participation.
What or who inspires you?
My biggest sources of inspiration are my parents who are my role models. They are my pillars of strength. They have given me the courage to battle obstacles in life.
My parents have made me understand what life is about and how to find that little ray of happiness in difficult situations.
I also consider my wife and my children as people who constantly inspire me.
