Council medal push ridiculed

Kim Waters
A GEELONG council push for a medal honouring long-serving councillors is “outrageous and self-serving”, according to a state MP.
Member for South Barwon Michael Crutchfield said councillors should concentrate on their jobs rather than “unwarranted” honours.
An email leaked to the Independent revealed the push for Federal Government to initiate the councillors’ medal.
In the email to council colleagues, Cr Stretch Kontelj said the award should go to councillors who had served more than three consecutive terms.
The honour should comprise a medal, a miniature, a lapel badge and a citation, said Cr Kontelj, who is Geelong’s longest-serving incumbent councillor.
Mr Crutchfield labelled the proposal “staggering self-interest”.
“I would have thought there was a myriad more important issues for council to focus on than individuals trying to add to their collection of medals.
“I served almost three terms on Geelong council and I think it’s completely unwarranted.
“I suggest Stretch downloads something from the internet and puts it on a piece of cardboard if he wants an award for himself.”
Mr Crutchfield said Australia Day honours were the “appropriate” forum for acknowledging councillors for their services.
“Just because a councillor is there for three terms does not mean they’ve made a reasonable contribution to the community,” he said.
“As the portfolio holder for major projects, (Cr Kontelj) should be concentrating on the Armstrong Creek hospital and railway station instead of this self-serving style.”
A City of Greater Geelong spokesperson confirmed council had submitted a motion seeking Municipal Association Victoria to consider the medal plan.
The proposed award was a “minimum-cost recognition of the community services contributions of councillors”, the spokesperson said.
The municipal association’s state council would consider the medal motion later this month.
Geelong Mayor John Mitchell backed the proposal as a “reasonable idea”.
“The length of service is probably something that needs to be determined by people other than us,” Cr Mitchell said.
“It’s only a suggestion at this stage but it’s been put forward and I’m happy to support it.”
The Independent was unable to contact Cr Kontelj for comment.