“All good things come to an end.”
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Cr Seema Abdullah has come a long way in the past 20 years.
Originally from Pakistan, Cr Abdullah migrated to Australia in 2004 and moved to Shepparton with her family in 2009. Passionate about improving the world she lives in and advocating for disadvantaged communities, she was elected to Greater Shepparton City Council in 2016.
A trailblazer, Cr Abdullah was the first first-generation migrant woman of Pakistani origin to be elected in Shepparton and Australia. She served as deputy mayor and mayor and was appointed by the Victorian local government minister to the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel representing Greater Shepparton.
She inspired many women and men to take on leadership roles to serve their community and “show them that it is achievable”.
Having dedicated the past eight years to representing the community of Greater Shepparton, Cr Abdullah recently announced that she would step down from her role to pursue new opportunities.
What led you to take the decision?
“After eight fulfilling years in my role as a Greater Shepparton City Councillor, I have decided not to run for re-election,” Cr Abdullah said.
“This decision came after careful consideration over the past year, reflecting on what I’ve achieved and what I envision for my future.
“Serving as a councillor has been an honour and a privilege. My first council term from 2016 to 2020 was a period of immense learning. It allowed me to understand our region deeply, including our community’s aspirations, challenges and strengths. Leaving after just one term was never an option for me.
“My re-election in 2020 enabled me to use my experiences to contribute further to our community. I took pride in being a voice for those who felt unheard and in participating in decisions that impact us all.
“While there are unfinished matters I would love to see through, I’ve realised that in this role, there will always be new issues to address. It’s important to recognise that there is never a perfect time to exit, and the decision ultimately comes down to personal readiness.
“I also believe it’s time to pass the baton to new community members who can bring fresh energy, new perspectives and renewed commitment to the council.”
What were the challenges you faced as a councillor?
Meeting community expectations:
“Balancing the diverse needs of our community was a significant challenge,” Cr Abdullah said.
“Our community consists of various groups with different aspirations, which can sometimes conflict with each other, legislation or financial constraints. As councillors, we must consider the bigger picture when making decisions.
“This sometimes leads to criticism from community members who may not see the broader context. Councillors are elected to act in the best interests of the entire region. Therefore, while it’s crucial to listen to the community, there are times when leaders need to lead and make decisions based on what is best for the whole municipality.”
Expanding the role of local government:
“There is a common notion that councils should stick to ‘roads, rates, and rubbish’,” she said.
“Local councils deliver services and infrastructure and have an intimate knowledge of their people’s aspirations, wants and needs. Rather than scaling back to basics, I believe it’s time to aim for a well-resourced and well-funded local council that can meet the community’s evolving and growing expectations and foster a more inclusive, fair and empathetic region.”
What were the key achievements of your time as a councillor?
Delivering key projects:
“During my eight years on the council, I am proud to have been part of the leadership team and contributed positively to several significant projects that were initially seen as difficult and contentious,” Cr Abdullah said.
“Some of these projects include the Shepparton Art Museum and Maude St Mall redevelopment. I am satisfied to have played a positive role in delivering projects that were considered too hard, contentious and polarising. Yet to me, they were in the best interest of our community and the region.”
Promoting diversity and inclusion:
“In my role, I also ensured that diversity and inclusion were central to council discussions and decisions,” she said.
“For instance, I strongly advocated for the fortnightly women’s-only swimming sessions at Aquamoves, which provided a safe and inclusive space for women from all backgrounds to swim. I also ensured that the needs of culturally diverse communities were visible and addressed during emergencies such as COVID-19 and floods.”
Climate action:
“I had the honour of using my mayoral casting vote for the council to declare a climate emergency and set a net zero target for the organisation,” she said.
“This guided the council to develop a climate action plan and incorporate climate targets into every directorate and the way the council operates.”
Crisis management during COVID-19:
“Navigating the municipality through the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic as a mayor was another crucial responsibility,” she said.
“It was important to show crisis management skills through clear, calm communication, collaborative leadership and regular media engagements, all focused on community health and safety despite the stress of lockdowns.”
What exciting projects lie ahead for you?
“I am keen to explore many new ideas and opportunities,” Cr Abdullah said.
“One of my passion projects, The Door Bells: Migrant Women’s Network, will continue to be a focus for me.
“I plan to leverage my professional experience, operational management skills, and strategic leadership abilities to find roles that keep me productive, motivated, and engaged while enabling me to give back to the community.
“Advocacy and volunteering for causes close to my heart, such as gender equality, affordable housing, social justice and regional living, etc, will remain a priority. I see myself continuing to work in these areas in some capacity.”
A finishing note
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to my husband and children, who believed in me and supported me throughout this journey,” Cr Abdullah said.
“I am deeply grateful to my mentors, friends and the larger community for their continued trust, support, respect and love.
“I want to give a special thanks to my fellow councillors, council CEOs (past and present), executive leadership team and staff. Your companionship has made this journey memorable and rewarding.
“This journey has been incredibly rewarding, albeit filled with its share of challenges, highs and lows, disappointments and delights.
“Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to continuing to support our community in new and meaningful ways.”