By Shelby Brooks
Growing up with a father heavily involved in local government, it’s not surprising Cardinia Shire’s Mayor Brett Owen followed in his dad’s footsteps. Brett’s commitment to his young family echoes his own childhood, always including his children as much as he can in council activities. As Brett prepares to finish his third term as mayor, he takes a moment to reflect on his 16 years in council.
To say local government is in Brett Owen’s blood would not be an exaggeration.
Brett and his twin brother Matthew were just two months old when their father, Ted Owen, became Shire President for the then Shire of Pakenham.
The family already had a set of twin girls who were six.
Brett credits the success of the family during that time to his mother Gail.
“Two sets of twins and Dad was Shire President. She was absolutely amazing and still is,” Brett said.
Ted would often bring his children to different events around the shire, which sparked Brett’s interest in local government.
“I definitely got my love for local government from my Dad,” Brett said.
“I was really interested in local government back then and community.
“I read the Gazette every week as a teenager to see what Dad was up to and see what the issues were. I’d debate with Dad and say you should have voted this way or you shouldn’t do that.
“I’m proud of his achievements. He spent over 30 years in local government for Berwick, Pakenham and then Cardinia Shire.”
But Brett didn’t originally follow in his father’s footsteps.
After finishing up at Pakenham High School as one of the school captains, Brett spent two weeks in university studying accounting before being accepted into the police force.
He’s in his 25th year with Victoria Police, having worked at stations including Pakenham, Cranbourne, Dandenong and Narre Warren.
“I’m in a community engagement role – proactive policing. I love working with the community in the policing space, it really complements what I do at council and vice versa- having that understanding about community and what people need,” Brett said.
“Our community does have its problems, whether it’s homelessness, alcohol and drug abuse or disengaged young people.
“I see the warts and all of the community and I do get satisfaction in helping people and bringing that knowledge to the council, I think is extremely beneficial for a council role.”
At 28, Brett was first elected onto council in 2005, just two years after his father Ted had stepped away from local government.
“In my opinion, there was concerned community regarding the council at the time,” Brett said.
“There were concerns about the council wanting to close the outdoor pool. There were also concerns that the council would sell off the golf course and there was concern about senior management and engagement with the community.
“I definitely wasn’t happy with the then council so I decided to put my hand up. I was lucky enough to be successful and be elected.”
Since then, Brett has served five terms on council and said he is most proud of helping to establish quality facilities for different sectors of the community, particular in the hills.
“We’re seeing much more investment in the hills areas where I think personally, there was under investment in the past,” Brett said.
“We’re just seeing that investment around the whole shire, which I think the community has seen and really appreciate it, but it was definitely time that we spread the love, spread the financials and really upgrade and improve facilities across our shire.”
Upgrades to playgrounds and recreation reserves which help engage young people and provide all abilities access is also what Brett has been passionate about.
“In 2005 when I began, I didn’t think council had a strong focus on providing access and inclusion for people of all abilities. So we’ve seen some dramatic improvements in that space,” Brett said.
Other highlights include creating Deep Creek Reserve, developing a permanent exhibition space at the Cardinia Cultural Centre and the establishment of My Place Youth Centre.
“It was a really great achievement to have a dedicated facility for young people and associated services where young people can access the help that they need and now we’ve just announced that we’re building a new facility in James Street three times the size,” Brett said.
And of course a memorable moment was when the Cockatoo Kindergarten was saved from demolition and turned into an Ash Wednesday Bushfire Education Centre and Memorial Garden.
“I was really, really happy that I met with the community up there and really listened to them and that council had a change of direction in that because of the community voice,“ Brett said.
“It’s an example of where the council got it wrong and listened to the community and changed their opinion and were able to deliver with the community something very special.”
Family has always been a strong focus for Brett during his time on council.
His three children, Max, Will and Maggie are regular attenders at council events and activities.
“I started on council before I was married, before kids, so my kids know nothing different. They’re having a similar childhood to mine when my Dad was on council,” Brett said.
“I’ve really enjoyed, whether I’m mayor or a councillor, bringing them along to council activities.
“I experienced that, I loved that. It’s really given them an understanding of what community is about so I think they’ve got a worldly approach about where they live and the issues affecting them in their community.”
Juggling family, police work and council commitments requires fastidious scheduling and support from his wife Jackie.
“I just thank my wife Jackie, she is very understanding. She sacrificed with her own career to allow me to fulfil my love of being a councillor,” Brett said.
“Jackie finished study last year and she wants to get her master’s degree. And she was working all through Covid from home and home schooling. She’s amazing.”
Reflecting back on the last 12 months as mayor, the Covid-19 pandemic had a bigger impact than anyone thought in 2021.
“When I was first elected as mayor in November last year, I was talking about recovery from Covid and assisting the community and businesses in recovery. What’s amazing is that now in my final week, we’re here again talking about recovery and the need to support community businesses,“ Brett said.
“But what I’ve been really, really proud of is how our community is at 95 per cent first dose now.”
Brett said he is looking forward to continuing on for the rest of his term as a councillor and is looking beyond to the next election.
“This is my fifth term and I feel really lucky to get back in at the last election and I was really happy with the support that I received this time around,” Brett said.
“I’m as motivated and enthusiastic as I’ve always been. People ask if there should be caps on terms but I think no, not if someone has still got something to give, is really enthusiastic, does the work and responds to residents.
“I think I’ve still got a lot to offer. We’ve got three years to go but I’m really enthusiastic and looking forward to the future.”
