Voices of Mornington Peninsula has been formed by residents like you and me; residents who love where we live and recognise the urgency for our values to be reflected by government.
Meike Suggars - Chair
Meike moved to Rosebud from Melbourne with her toddler and dog in 2017 - her family had a holiday house in Blairgowrie and she'd been holidaying on the Peninsula since she was 4. She wishes she'd made the move years earlier! Her work experience includes running her own small business in financial services as well as head of marketing for a trade industry journal and online publication, and volunteer marketing manager for non-profit Seven Women which educates and empowers marginalised women in Nepal. Meike joined VMP when the lack of action on climate and the very poor handling of revelations around culture and sexual harassment within Parliament House just became too much! She felt getting an independent elected for the seat of Flinders would help progress these issues and other concerns of the local community.
Kim Robbins - Secretary
Kim's family has lived on the Mornington Peninsula for 20 years and Kim moved here in 2016. Kim is a marketing manager and has worked in diverse industries such as international banking, education and membership-based organisations both here and overseas. Kim is enthusiastic about improving the accountability in government and ensuring that people who are making our laws are adhering to them too. Kim fervently believes more independent representation will help make accountable governments a reality. Kim lives in Seawinds with Jeff, her husband, Monty the elderly cocker spaniel and Lainy the ginger cat.
Miranda Gillespie - Director
Miranda is a long term Mornington Peninsula resident and passionate community member. She has worn many hats over the years, in education, business and community and has diverse experience and connections across the Peninsula. As the key coordinator of the Rye Community Playground Build in 2012, bringing together 800 volunteers to build a playground in five days, she has a great belief in the power of Peninsula people to do amazing things!
Nick Arnott - Director
Nick moved to the Westernport Bay side of the Mornington Peninsula with his young family over 17 years ago, after many visits in preceding years to visit family and friends in the wider Balnarring area. Through involvement with local kinders, schools, and tennis clubs, Nick's family has established many life-long friendships with a variety of people who share the love of living in this area, and who make an active contribution to social and economic health of the local community.
Following more than 20 years as a project engineer and manager working across Australia on infrastructure construction and maintenance, Nick completed his teaching degree in 2018 and commenced his secondary school teaching career at Dromana Secondary College. It is through roles on school and kinder management boards, and now at a local secondary school, that Nick recognises the importance of leadership at all levels for our community, especially for our youth. He wants our federal parliament, including our local federal MP, to reflect the values of integrity, respect to our fellow citizens and care for our environment. Voices of Mornington Peninsula want this too, so he's a passionate member of VMP!