‍At a Glance

• Public office is a form of service that should be carried with purpose, humility, and care
• Lasting civic progress is always the work of institutions, colleagues, staff, and community
• Leadership is measured not only by achievements, but by the foundations left for others
• Gratitude to family, colleagues, staff, and residents sits at the heart of any honest reflection

Presented here in full is my final reflection on service, gratitude, leadership, and the responsibility to leave Campbelltown stronger than we found it.

It has been 16 years since I was elected to this Council, and as this term comes to a close and my time here reaches its end—not only as the Mayor of this great city but also as a Councillor—I find myself deeply reflecting on what I have accomplished in this chamber. I am struck by how much I have grown as a person through the experiences we’ve shared here.

While I hope that I will not vanish tomorrow, nor do I believe that my legacy is complete—far from it—I intend to continue contributing socially, professionally, and academically in the years to come. Above all, I aspire to focus on what I hope will become my true legacy: my children.

I find peace in knowing that I am stepping away on my own terms, at a time of my choosing. It’s important to me that I leave this role with a sense of fulfillment and pride in what we have achieved together. I have always believed that the best way to serve is to give your all while you are able, and to step aside when the time feels right, allowing others to carry forward the vision and work we’ve begun.

Leaving now allows me to cherish the accomplishments we’ve made and the relationships we’ve built while still feeling energised and optimistic about the future. I am proud of what we have been able to achieve in this short term, and I leave with a deep sense of fulfillment knowing that we have laid a strong foundation for the future of our city.

We established a robust governance framework centred on transparency and accountability to meet the needs of our community. By fostering a culture of openness, we ensured that our residents' voices were not only heard but valued. This was accomplished through the formation of specialised committees, regular public forums with business leaders, youth, senior citizens, and residents, and the development of strategic initiatives. We also conducted a comprehensive review of policies to align with the city's new strategic direction, ensuring our actions remained in tune with the community’s evolving priorities.

We laid the groundwork for future development by embedding comprehensive urban growth policies. This forward-thinking approach included initiatives like the CBD Densification, LEP review, Active Transport Plan, City Attraction Policy, and Urban Renewal and City Revitalisation Policy. These efforts attracted nearly $3 billion in private investment, setting the stage for significant future growth.

Through partnerships with the private sector, we advanced major developments such as the opening of the $54 million GenesisCare Cancer Centre. We commenced work with Northwest Healthcare Properties to deliver a future $68 million hospital, collaborated with the Sebastian Foundation to provide the Open Parachute program, delivering psychological skill-building exercises to over 1,200 youth, and partnered with over 40 business owners to revitalise shopfronts and create inviting outdoor dining spaces.

We spearheaded beautification programs that instilled a sense of pride and security in our community. This included refurbishing fitness facilities and leisure centres, implementing a comprehensive city beautification program, repairing tens of thousands of potholes, resurfacing and constructing hundreds of thousands of square metres of roads and footpaths, and planting more than 20,000 trees. We also initiated the council’s transition to net zero by adopting the city’s inaugural Transition to Net Zero Strategy, increasing our reliance on renewable energy, and partnering with Endeavour Energy to replace thousands of street lights with LED technology—resulting in substantial energy savings and a reduction in CO² emissions.

Our strong advocacy efforts secured over $200 million in funding for essential projects, including road restoration, pedestrian-friendly spaces, public art and event amenities, and the expansion of the Campbelltown Arts Centre. I look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition. Additionally, we ensured that all levels of government understood the urgent need for our Community and Justice Precinct, and I am optimistic that we will soon receive positive news on that front.

Promoting cross-regional unity and bipartisan cooperation by establishing the Macarthur Alliance and the Campbelltown Strategic Advocacy Group, which included leaders from both sides of politics, and legally restructuring The Parks will lead to better coordination across the region for years to come.

Throughout all of this, we maintained fiscal responsibility, achieving balanced annual budgets and consistently unqualified audit reports by employing prudent financial management and innovative income-generating strategies. All these achievements and efforts were driven by a commitment to serve our community with integrity and purpose.

People elected to Council should never forget that being a Councillor and a Mayor, above all, is a service. When you stay true to your values, work with a clear purpose, and show a willingness to see the good in people and ideas from everyone, you can make a meaningful impact. We are ultimately here to leave this city as a better place than we found it.

Along the way, you’ll find that every experience, whether a success or a challenge, offers valuable lessons. When we embrace these lessons and keep our purpose in mind, the journey, though challenging, can also be a joy.

I am deeply indebted to my fellow Councillors, council staff, and our community. I walked into this place with the clear intention of making this city a better place, but it is through this chamber that I was able to build my understanding of local government and the broader community, my knowledge of urban planning, and life in general.

I can vividly remember the debates that have shaped my thinking, the debates that have triggered endless hours of post-meeting research, and most importantly, the debates that sparked my passion for urban planning and led me to pursue and complete a Master’s and a PhD in the field.

I will spare you the usual recounting of childhood stories—how I came from a small town in the Nile Delta to live in Sydney and eventually settle in Campbelltown. Stories like mine are common in the modern Australian narrative. My journey is a testament to the grace of God and the dedication of family and friends who sacrificed to make such a journey not only possible but successful.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to my family. Their unwavering support, encouragement, and belief in me over the years have been instrumental in shaping my journey in public service.

Like many families in Campbelltown, my parents left their homeland, their families, their friends, and their culture behind. They sacrificed all that was familiar to them in pursuit of a dream—a better life for their children. To my parents and to my sister, who is sharing this special moment with me, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your love, support, and sacrifices have made everything possible, and I carry your strength with me every day.

I would especially like to thank my wife, Michelle, for all her love, encouragement, and unwavering support. Without her sacrifices, I would not have been able to pursue any of my dreams. We have shared this journey together from the very beginning, and she has been by my side throughout my entire time in the chamber. Recently, we celebrated our 16th anniversary, a testament to the strength of our partnership.

Michelle, thank you for being my rock and for walking every step of this path with me. Your endless patience and understanding have meant the world to me. The countless hours spent away from home and the challenges that came with this role were made easier knowing that I had your love and support. Your sacrifices and constant encouragement have been my strength, and I could not have fulfilled my responsibilities without you by my side.

I also want to thank my children, James and Gabriella, for being the great inspiration that keeps me going. You are the light of my life and the reason I strive to make the world a better place. Your curiosity, energy, and joy remind me every day of the importance of the work we do and the future we are building together.

Watching you both grow and discover the world has been one of the greatest joys of my life. Your unwavering belief in me, even when I’ve been busy or preoccupied with the demands of this role, has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you for your patience, for understanding when I’ve had to be away, and for always greeting me with love and smiles when I come home. You inspire me to be the best version of myself, and I am so proud to be your father.

To my friends, thank you for standing by me throughout this journey. Your friendship, advice, and encouragement have been invaluable. Whether it was celebrating victories or offering comfort during difficult times, you have been a constant source of strength and support. I am grateful for the memories we’ve shared, the laughter, and the wisdom you’ve imparted. Your belief in me, even when I doubted myself, has made all the difference.

I look forward to continuing our friendships in the years to come, and I thank you for being such an important part of my life.

To my fellow Councillors now and previously, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation. While we may have differed in opinions and approaches at times, our shared commitment to the people of Campbelltown has always united us. The debates, discussions, and even disagreements have been essential in shaping the future of our city.

I have deep respect for the passion and dedication each of you has brought to this chamber. Working with you has broadened my perspective and reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration. Together, we have demonstrated that by putting aside political differences and focusing on the common good, we can achieve remarkable outcomes for our community.

Thank you for your contributions, your challenges, and your camaraderie. It has been an honour to serve alongside you, and I look forward to seeing the continued positive impact you will all have on our city.

A special acknowledgment goes to my fellow Liberal Councillors over the past 16 years. Your commitment, support, and collaboration have been invaluable throughout my time on the council. Together, we have worked tirelessly to advance our shared vision for Campbelltown. I am deeply grateful for the friendship and commitment you have shown, and I am proud of what we have achieved as a team. Thank you for standing by me and for your steadfast devotion to our community.

To the council staff, I want to express my gratitude for your hard work, dedication, and professionalism. You are the backbone of this council, and without your tireless efforts, none of the progress we’ve made would have been possible.

Throughout my time here, I have seen firsthand your commitment to serving our community with excellence. From the day-to-day operations to the large-scale projects that have transformed our city, your expertise and passion have been the driving force behind it all. You have supported us through countless challenges, provided invaluable advice, and always gone above and beyond to ensure the best outcomes for Campbelltown.

I am truly thankful for your support, your insights, and the many hours you have devoted to making our city a better place. It has been an honour to work alongside such a talented and dedicated team. Your contributions often go unrecognised, but please know that your work is deeply appreciated and has made a lasting impact on our community.

I would also like to extend my gratitude to the media for their role in keeping our community informed and engaged. Your efforts to report on the work of the council, highlight important issues, and share the stories that matter to Campbelltown have been invaluable. I appreciate the crucial role you play in fostering transparency and accountability. Your dedication to honest reporting and your commitment to the community have helped shape public discourse and ensure that our residents remain informed and involved in the decisions that affect their lives.

I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with our local MP and Ministers for the current and previous government. Despite sometimes differences in opinion, each collaboration has played a role in advancing the broader goals of the council and our community. While not every collaboration was seamless, the challenges we faced pushed us to refine our strategies and approaches, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our city. Thank you for the time and effort you invested in our shared endeavours. The impact of our work together will undoubtedly have a lasting effect on the future of Campbelltown City.

Finally, I am thankful to the community of Campbelltown who entrusted me with this responsibility by electing me four times. Your confidence in my leadership has been a constant source of motivation, and it has been the greatest honour to serve you. Thank you for the opportunity to work on behalf of our community, advocate for our city, to listen to your concerns, and to help shape the future of Campbelltown.

Most importantly, I am thankful to God for guiding me through this journey and throughout my life. He has granted me the strength and wisdom to serve and has surrounded me with such incredible people. His grace has been my constant source of comfort and inspiration, and I trust in His plans for the road ahead.

As I close this chapter, I do so with immense gratitude, fond memories, and great hope for the future. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey.

I will end with one word of advice from Proverbs 15 verse 33 in the New King James Version (NKJV):

“The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; And before honour is humility.”

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