Philpott (Cr) Andrew Michael
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Andrew Philpott was Councillor for Carleton Ward in 1995 - 2000.
Like many people I have always been interested in the environment and environmental management. In fact, while studying a Graduate Diploma at Adelaide University I wrote a major paper on the role of local government in environmental management. During the research of this essay, I realised that indeed LG is a major player in looking after our environment.
It was about this time that a friend suggested that there were unfilled positions for candidates in the upcoming local government elections for the Ward of Carleton in Gawler. I was living in a rental property in Daly Street helping my partner to raise two teenage boys and as such the idea of joining council and contributing to the community became more and more interesting.
I recall registering my intention to stand as a candidate about the same time that two other people also registered. As such there was need to go to an election and I had my first experience of canvassing local residents for their support. It is during this process of meeting residents that you realise you must have your facts in front of you and you have to enunciate a clear vision as to what you stand for if you are to be elected to Council.
Anyhow it came to pass that I was elected to the Town of Gawler in 1995. I recall receiving a phone call from the then Mayor, Dr. Bruce Eastick on the evening of the election results. He very kindly congratulated me and offered some words of encouragement. In fact, I recall him saying that like many endeavours Local Government is generally 5% inspiration and 95% perspiration. Very wise words indeed.
I spent 5 years on Council. The first year is like an apprenticeship and you learn all about meeting procedure and how to best use your own time and not waste the time of other elected members and staff at meetings. I also realised the incredible variety of business that local government deals with on a daily basis. At the time I joined Council there were no Development Assessment Panels and as such the entire Council dealt with all planning matters. This often meant long meetings and late nights.
My first term was for two years and I sought re-election for an additional three years. Since this time election terms have extended to four years. During my time on council there were some big ticket items such as the demolition of the former School of Mines (TAFE) buildings to make way for Woolworths and Big W. I personally struggled with the thought of the town losing an education facility of that scale for the development of a supermarket.
Another long lasting issue was the protection of the old redgum tree at the rear of mall. This tree is now in the Woolworths car park. This matter was very divisive for the town with many folks wishing to see it removed and other passionately campaigning for its protection. This matter opened my eyes to the notion of risk management and what residents perceive as either risks worth taking or not taking.
I felt very privileged to have been able to have contributed to local government life in Gawler. One thing is for sure – it is a lot of hard work and of course it can be a very rewarding experience.
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