Endangered
Moira Were AM
Community & Social Enterprise Leader | Mayor City of Onkaparinga | Governance & Policy | Entrepreneur | Diversity and Democracy Advocate | Business Innovation Views are my own
Endangered Species
More than a thousand Great White Sharks call the waters off the coast of South Australia home. They have no known predators. You can find them easily in the Neptune Islands Marine Park. They have had their fair share of bad publicity as well as their own behaviour making news from time to time. You can also see them ocassionally in the waters near where I live. They have been inspiration for world-famous artist Evelyn Roth who next year will celebrate her 30th year at Womadelaide with her ever enchanting Nylon Zoo.
Evelyn has lifted her great white out of storage and added to its smile a voting message, adding a bit of fun to my Mayoral campaign. Having some fun is essential and in the past week other mythical and rare species have joined in the campaigning including a unicorn, and a yellow-tail cockatoo (you can see pics on the Facebook page).
Hooded Plover
One endangered species that locals where I live spend a lot of time caring for and protecting is the Hooded Plover. This little bird moves across the sand with the grace and speed that reminds you of the Berezka where Russian dancers that look like they are floating on air.
The plovers have to endure cars, dogs, bigger birds and the elements to make their way to maturity. Council put up signs with messages to stay away, to be careful and to keep dogs on leashes ... but sadly ever year not all of the chicks get the chance to grow up.
The Hoodie Helpers and Plover Lovers are fabulous volunteers protecting both the environment and the birds. When things are endangered we have to have friends. Democracy is no different and I am grateful to everyone reminding people to vote, supporting getting the message out about why voting is important in local council elections, and helping create the conditions for the conversations about participating in democracy.
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Are voters at risk?
Less than 26% of the people in my local council voted in the last local government elections in 2018, and in this voting season the numbers are down. Are voters at risk of being an endangered species? Do they have all they need to thrive? What climatic and environmental conditions are getting in the way for them to follow their voting path?
Voter turn out is a reflection of trust, confidence and the quality of engagement by the institutions as well as the candidates.
I hope there is an epidemic of democracy breaking out and more votes will start flowing in this week as the voting period comes to a close. Let's make sure voters don't become an endangered species.
If you would like to know more about the voting process or can participate in these South Australian Local Council elections go to the Electoral Commission of SA.
Office Manager at Lev Living
2 年Here in Canada, the province of Ontario recently held our municipal elections and voter turnout was around 35% ?? I voted, because I always vote, because I'm not in any danger when I show up at the polls. Was I excited or hopeful about any candidate? No, not a bit; it was the usual choice between the lesser of 2 or 3 evils. The upside is that for the next 4 years the other 65% of the population won't complain about any decisions since they didn't care enough to vote.
Founder and President of ClearPath Senior Living
2 年Voters need a candidate to be excited about, and with someone like you running Moira, I have faith that people will show up! (and if they don't plan to, show them this vide from Stewart Reynolds https://youtu.be/bPDQv3Q5mvA )
It feels to me as though we have been conditioned out of action and participation with maketing, the narrative that the challenges are so big I don’t matter, and a deep focus on scale as our only hope. A reboot of small is beautiful, local organizing and convening to build community and do what each of us can while healing one another though sharing and receiving our gifts is the work. Your campaign is such an inspiration to watch - I see you building relationships, listening to ppl, sharing hope and showing the way. Thank you for your leadership ????
Assistant Director - Health Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Review Section
2 年Apathy is high and effort is very low with LG elections. Notwithstanding the seeming poor receipt of voting papers by ratepayers, there’s often poor understanding of, and interest in this level of governance and community voice. Not overly helped by LG candidates (along with other levels of Govt) being enabled by a popularity contest rather than a skills based or merit based process. Having read the bios and social media content of some running in my council for mayor and ward, I commend them for putting their hand up but also cringe at the thought of them steering the strategy of Council. Also, the fact candidates and EMs have to deal with people that hold extreme and even vitriolic views can be in itself a very challenging dynamic to navigate. I too am disappointed at the low levels of voting, but suspect that there’s nil appetite to make LG elections compulsory.
Board Chair?Non Executive Director?Mentoring Consultant?Executive Coach ?Governance Specialist?Mad Keen Golfer?? Guiding Positive Change ?
2 年I have done my civic duty and voted. I have my fingers crossed for you Moira