IT TOOK the Bass Coast Shire Council four years, but they finally got there last Wednesday, at their last meeting of the present regime.

There was some genuine discussion about the shire’s finances, suggestions on how the shire might improve next time, and even some revealing comment on where the eagerly anticipated dog park strategy is at.

But oh dear, one of their number, former mayor Cr Michael Whelan, has been savaged on social media for what has been variously described as “appalling, ignorant, outrageous, disgraceful, disrespectful, dismissive” and just plain “rude” behaviour during a final address by his former deputy mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead.

You can watch the “video livestream” of last week’s meeting on the Bass Coast Shire website to make up your own mind whether Cr Whelan was simply looking for another pair of glasses or being “a bully plain and simple” as one contributor claimed on the Sentinel-Times’ Facebook page. Click the link HERE and go to the 17:50 minute of the 52:09 meeting.

While Cr Halstead was reporting on a “mixed bag” of experiences during her four years on council, where some councillors, she claimed, pursued their own political agendas because they had the numbers, or sought funding for environmental initiatives at the expenses of more traditional projects, Cr Whelan shifted in his seat, noisily turned pages on a report he was reading, banged down a pair of glasses, swung right around in his seat and rummaged through his briefcase.

At one stage during the meeting, Cr Whelan even attempted to give a direction to the chair, to the effect that Cr Halstead had cut off his colleague, Cr David Rooks, when he “had the call”.

In fact, as revealed by Cr Rooks himself, he followed up a question about the status of the dog park strategy, with comment that “the research component” of the strategy “has been undertaken by the council officers and with other external consultants, I'm assuming, or experts”.

He said later he had completed his remarks (see also story on the status of the dog park strategy).

To date there have been 41 comments about the online video excerpt of Cr Whelan’s antics including:

• SGST, the man was looking for his glasses. His ears were still on.
• How many pairs do you need to listen to someone else speaking?
• I think you are being tough on Cr Whelan. He was just looking for the Passivhaus certificate.

But, Cr Halstead’s husband Tony made the most telling remarks:

“I have sat back and tried not to comment on this, but I feel too strongly to just let this one go. My wife Rochelle spent days writing her final speech for this term and agonizing over each word to get a very professional message across,” said Tony Halstead on social media.

“I thank all the positive comments in support of Rochelle as I believe no one deserves the disrespect she has received not only in this clip (video excerpt from meeting) but during her whole term from the same clowns.

“Anyone who doubts the deliberate distractions simply watch the whole meeting and zoom in on the culprit. The page turning, the glasses hunt and the coughing only occurs when Rochelle had the floor. This is not political for me, it’s personal and it’s about respect.”

Cr Halstead’s address

Here’s what Cr Halstead had to say about the past four years on council:

“Thank you for the opportunity to speak to my last report. This report is a bit of a mixed bag, but I hope it offers an insight into my journey over the past four years.

“The sustainability of local government concerns me with rates being lifted under the level of CPI, cost shifting still a serious concern and a desire for big wish ‘nice to have’ items taking centre stage over the basic less sexy but most needed projects and/or services.

“I am hopeful that we see more direction and greater funding from the state and federal governments in relation to mitigation of environmental concerns, with this council having punched way above their weight in this space, often sacrificing more traditional projects to rightly fund and assist our communities feeling the direct impacts. There is a need for less reports, more action and decision making at other levels of government who should back it up with funding.

“It has disappointed me that this chamber has at times been used to further the political agenda of those issues better left to other levels of government and I hope those who follow us will respect their role and leave the party politics for others.

“There have been both highs and lows during my time with Bass Coast and for me it has been my goal to weigh up the differing views and find a balance. I do believe the balance is slightly out of kilter but as with every democracy, this is a numbers game and although at times not agreeing with them, respecting the numbers is part of the role.

“The little wins along the way have made my Bass Coast Council journey worthwhile. Anderson Reserve upgrade, Kilcunda skate park, progression of an MTB/BMX/Pump strategy, upgrade for the Kilcunda Bass Football/Netball Club, Corinella Bowls Club concrete replacement and disabled toilet upgrade, first stage Pioneer Bay community centre, San Remo township structure plan… I don’t have time to list them all but working with community, council officers we have achieved some great stuff for Westernport Ward and their work is appreciated. I am grateful for their support, expertise and highly professional approach throughout my first term.

“Thank you to my fellow councillors for enlightening me with their differing points of view, with special mention to my ward colleagues Cr Le Serve, Cr Kent and Cr Ellis for their teamwork approach, to Cr Tessari for sharing your experience and for your counsel, Cr. Bauer and Cr Larke for your willingness to listen and work through any areas of concern.

“To this beautiful community I have been so blessed to share special time with, thank you! Thank you for the warm and generous welcome I always received. Spending time in my community has been the absolute highlight of my role, from the charity events, Australian citizenship ceremonies, fashion parades, ratepayers and residents group meetings, festivals, sporting fundraisers and just too many more to name. I am so grateful for your encouragement, for your friendships and for your candid feedback, all of which guided me with my decision making.”

Cr Ron Bauer’s address

Here's what Cr Bauer had to say:

"Madame Mayor, Fellow Councillors and ratepayers watching this meeting. It could have been the best of times, but it became the worst of times. It could have been the Age of Wisdom, but it became the Age of Ideology. What started with hope descended into acrimony.

"From Machiavellian machinations of intrigue to the Gates of Distrust and factionalism. From the three pillars of climate change, renewables and first nations, to the cries of rates roads and rubbish. From the obsession of the Passivhaus, to the failed motions to get the red bin picked up in the heat of summer. From the attempted dismantlement of democracy, by eliminating question time, to the over-reaching motions on the Voice referendum and the creation of a new category for the Nobel Prize. From prioritising cars going down Thompson Avenue one way, to not rezoning the sports grounds at the Hilton Chadwick Reserve in Cowes. From a car ferry that slipped under the waves to the Gordian knot that is traffic and car parking. From the pre-Covid blue sky wish list to the post-Covid era of financial reckoning.

"To those councillors who are sailing into the sunset, I wish you bon voyage. To those who are re-standing, the election clarion has sounded and the people will, as they should, judge us on this term. Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (thus passes the glory of the world)."

Editor’s note: Both Cr Halstead and Cr Bauer provided transcripts of their statements.

Other councillors

All councillors had the opportunity to speak

•  Cr Leticia Laing thanked the community, her colleagues on council and also the staff for their expertise and advice, noting they always offered “evidence-based, balanced, fierce and fair” advice.

• Cr David Rooks said there was no position description when he joined council but assisted by former CEO Ali Watie, Wayne Mack and Brett Tessari he got up to speed, helped in his role by completing the AIDC director’s course which not only assisted him on council but in his other roles in the community. Cr Rooks noted that travelling to meetings with Cr Michael Whelan helpeed in dealing with issues on council. He highlighted two challenging incidents during his term, being diagnosed with stage four melanoma and the death by suicide of a family member’s friend.
• Cr Michael Whelan thanked the Island ward community and council officers and paid tribute to the three CEOs he had worked with and past mayors. He said increasing the percentage of rates going to capital works (up from 7% to 18%) was a significant achievement but “reminding people that you always need four colleagues if your are going to achieve anything”.
• Cr Geoff Ellis thanked his partner Leslie Adams, the people of Western Port ward, and the people who take an interest in council. He made mention of the council’s partnership with the South Coast Inclusion Network and the way IDAHOBIT Day in particular had developed locally, he commended the shire on its library services, while making a final bid for a permanent home for the library at Wonthaggi and the Waterline communities.
• Cr Clare Le Serve thanked the Western Port community, her colleagues on council, the deputy mayor (Rochelle Halstead), CEOs, officers and her family for their support over 12 years on council, saying she would leave with many friends and fond memories.
• Cr Les Larke said he had nothing to add after the other councillors’ remarks.
• Cr Brett Tesssari was an apology from last Wednesday's meeting.

Cr Ron Bauer moved a vote of thanks to the mayor Cr Le Serve which was passed by acclamation.