I’m a Brunswick resident since 2002, a parent of two children attending local schools, and an IT professional with a background as a school teacher.
Opening Statement – BRN Candidates Forum 2020
Why do I do this?
I do this because I know what it’s like.
I know what it’s like to organise with neighbours against inappropriate development, to stand together at VCAT, and to walk away disappointed with the outcome.
I’ve also seen the other side as a homeowner—how residents are treated when they simply want to build or improve their home.
And this year, as a renter, I’ve experienced something else again: trying to get a leaking roof fixed in a house that’s as cold inside as it is outside.
I know what it’s like to be woken at 5am by construction machinery arriving across the road.
To live through years of building work.
To report repeated noise breaches to Council—and see no action taken.
To have daily rubbish collection in the street, but no recycling services for nearby flats.
I know what it’s like to raise children here.
To get to Maternal Health and immunisation appointments.
To search for affordable, reliable childcare just to return to work.
To fundraise from local businesses to improve outdoor play spaces at community kinder.
I know what it’s like to navigate Brunswick with kids—
pushing a pram along uneven footpaths,
getting on and off public transport,
or trying to keep children safe while they ride bikes along crowded streets and paths.
I’ve spent what feels like thousands of hours in playgrounds, watching how children actually use them—
and seeing older kids miss out, because our public spaces don’t cater for them.
My 11-year-old shouldn’t feel like there’s “nothing to do” outside.
And our local sports clubs shouldn’t be overflowing with juniors who don’t have space to train.
This is why I do this.
I also do this because I see how much people rely on community services.
My mother-in-law, who lives with dementia, depends on Council shopper services and planned activity groups.
Our parks need proper seating and accessibility for older residents.
I know what it’s like to contribute to the community—
to run a local greening group,
to plant indigenous vegetation to support biodiversity and urban cooling,
only to have it slashed, sprayed, dug up for infrastructure works… and then replanted again.
All while trying to protect it from everyday wear and tear.
But most of all, I do this because these issues matter.
And because working women—working parents and carers—are still underrepresented in this process.
We could end up with three men representing South Ward.
And I don’t believe that reflects our community—or that we should accept it without question.
Thank you.
Mel Yuan for Brunswick 