Karen Douglas | Political candidate

Karen Douglas

Phone: +61 419 412 401

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25.01.2022 Council elections are on! I am putting my hand up to be your representative for the next four years because I want to be part of a local government that delivers for our people, our businesses, our environment. And thanks to all those locals who support a progressive Yarra.... Want a corflute? DM me and I'll deliver!

24.01.2022 This article captures two of my interests: - social housing; and - supporting the energy and commitment of young people in the Labor party who are at the forefront of community activism.

24.01.2022 What's council ever done for you? - services - opportunity - leadership.... Thanks Danae for all you have done.

22.01.2022 Helen Reddy. https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=T7qTxbPv7tE

20.01.2022 Been a busy day talking to locals, dodging the rain and of course reading a book. This is one of the great selections by our superb #YarraLibraries professionals. In this novel, Where the Trees Were, Inga Simpson tells the story of Jay and her four childhood friends who spend long outback summers swimming, climbing trees, hanging out at each other’s places and drifting along the creek on their lilos. ... One day they make a discovery that consolidates their lifelong bond. Fast forward a few decades Jay is now a conservationist in Canberra and sets about righting a wrong from the group’s childhood. What I really enjoyed about this novel is the way in which Simpson was able to easily transport the reader between the outback and the city. At each turn of the page I felt I was smelling the gum trees of the bush or shivering in the cold of Canberra. The novel easily weaves the childhood years of the characters with their adult lives exploring how their experiences have shaped them. And then there is the heist #LibrariesChangeLives

19.01.2022 Congratulations Jacinda Adern and NZ Labour. Steady, respectful, compassionate leadership prevails. Photo by Hannah Peters.

18.01.2022 Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Susan Ryan. Susan Ryan was a Labor trailblazer. She was Labor's first woman Minister and expertly naviagted the Sex Discrimination Act through parliament. A key piece of Australia's legislative framework that has opened up the right for women to fair access and treatment.... In her very active later years Susan was a staunch advocate for those in aged care. Vale Susan Ryan.

18.01.2022 As a member of the ALP LGBTI Affairs Policy Committee I am proud of the work we have led furthering equality in Victoria and nationally. As a young person I experienced the discrimination our LGBTIQ+ communities knows only too well and I will act to make sure our young people are supported. Local government has a vital role in promoting diversity across our community.... As a local councillor I will continue to work with our LGBTIQ+ communities, both within council and externally, to foster a Yarra City Council culture that is inclusive, responsive and accessible to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities. PS: The cap is from when I marched in Soweto Pride 2011. A privilege #EqualityIsNotNegotiable

17.01.2022 My thanks to the many volunteers who took to the streets in the last few days to introduce me to the community. Some sneaky snaps of walkers and Langridge street scape. Want to know more about how we can build our community and revive our local economy - check this out https://yarralabor.org/policies/

16.01.2022 As you know I love our outdoor spaces and regularly walk around our community. If you elect me to council I'll open the gate to more open space provisions in planning applications and advocate for accessible paths so people, no matter their transport needs, can enjoy our Yarra.

16.01.2022 I am committed to taking action on climate change. Renewable energy conversion, including supporting our low income households, via solar panel take up is a key way we can act. More info on Labor policies https://yarralabor.org/

15.01.2022 A very exciting day. Virus numbers are down thanks to everybody's hard work and the mighty Vixens are in the GF. Tune in at 1pm.... #GoVixens

14.01.2022 Hello daylight saving. Sunday morning #isowalk.

12.01.2022 Have an idea for a community driven project that contributes to a sustainable Yarra? Grants now open

12.01.2022 Connecting our bicycle paths to provide safe access for cyclists and pedestrians is an issue I am passionate about. Labor is committed to providing more active and usable transport routes and today I am pleased to announce that should I be elected to Yara City Council, , . You can find out more about Yarra Labor's policies here: https://yarralabor.org/

12.01.2022 Get your shades out and start loosening up those vocal chords...........so many great Yarra venues on this list

11.01.2022 Another great read from my #YarraLibraries #Bingebundles. And prescient! The novel revolves around neighbours, a fence, human interaction and how relationships can fall apart when we don’t communicate well. ... The dramatic conflict is literally and metaphorically situated at the fence and Council is invoked by both sides to adjudicate when emotions run high and neighbours clash. Apart from another good read the story pulls together the three main frames with which I approach my candidacy and the way I will represent people if I am elected: 1. Relationships: listening, talking, understanding the community and working through the issues while always doing so respectfully particularly when people disagree; 2. Legislation: to be a good councillor you need to understand the legislative framework council is subject to so you can clarify issues, provide good guidance as to what is possible and what is not, and think about what can be improved and how; and 3. Place making: this is the key to how we enjoy our neighbourhoods. We have an emotional attachment to where we live. It’s where we make friends, raise our children in our families, join the local sporting club, go for walks. We want to live in neighbourhoods that reflect our sense of community. Placemaking is shaped by a positive vision for the future. It depends on good relationships and on councillors working together for the benefit of the community. If I am elected this is how I will go about making decisions with and on behalf of the community.

11.01.2022 ELECTION UPDATE YARRA (not the US!) Our VEC staff have been hard at work for over a week now organising ballots for counting. ... On Monday 26 October ballots that had been received by Friday 23 October were opened, tested for obvious informality and placed into bundles of 50 (NOT in candidate piles). On Monday 2 November ballots that arrived between 26 30 October were opened, tested for obvious informality and placed into bundles of 50 (NOT in candidate piles). Tomorrow Thursday 5 November - counting will begin at 8am and for Yarra Wards will be staggered throughout the day. At 9am Friday 6 November the Election Manager will calculate all the votes for candidates and a provisional result will be released. Candidates then have a minimum of two hours to raise any disputes. If there are no disputes or disputes are settled, the Election Manger is scheduled to declare the final election result at 12pm on Friday 6 November. Everything is progressing as planned The VEC staff as always have been professional, responsive, informative and transparent in their actions. Whatever happens thanks again to everyone who has supported me Running for public office to represent the progressive views of many is a privilege.

11.01.2022 Like so many of us I love our local music scene and am missing getting out and about to our pubs, cafés and music festivals. I am keenly aware our artists are experiencing a double whammy at the moment; job losses in the Hospo industry to keep them going while they pursue their artistic work and then no live spaces for them to hone their performance skills. We have a power of work in front of us to revive our live music scene and I am keen to be part of the re-building effort.

10.01.2022 #HappySunnySaturday made all the better with backing vocals from Denise @ #3RRRFM

09.01.2022 It might be cold and wet out there but I'm still smiling as I continue to work on the privilege of representing the good people of Langridge.

09.01.2022 Fabulous to see the kids enthralled with story telling @ BANH

09.01.2022 Looking for up to the minute, fashionable garden art? Try a corflute! Our green spaces and gardens are an important part of our community. Check out our policies - https://yarralabor.org/ - to find out how we will continue to support a beautiful Yarra.

08.01.2022 Morning run and coffee done and dusted? Time to get organised and get out and vote. Yarra Labor https://yarralabor.org/

07.01.2022 The results are in and while I have not been elected, I am really proud of the campaign our Labor team ran. We brought our values of collectivism, respect, equality and fairness to our work. We discussed these issues on behalf of all of Yarra and put forward a thoughtful, positive plan for our community centred on bringing people together. The elected representatives have a power of work ahead of them in the next four years to govern fairly and responsibly for Yarra and I loo...k forward to their successes. Finally, I want to thank all of you who have given so generously of your time and deeply appreciate your support for me personally. Our collective support for the Labor movement is unwavering. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent our values.

07.01.2022 Absolutely thrilled my great friend and comrade Sheena Watt will be the next leader and voice for us in the Northern Metropolitan Region. I have had the distinct pleasure of sitting around the table with Sheena thinking through complex public policy issues that advance our community's well-being. And we've also had a few yarns over a coffee and stood in rain, hail and shine at many, many, voting booths! Sheena is committed. Sheena has put the hard yards in not only for the A...boriginal and Torres Strait Islander community but for everyone. Sheena's principles, intelligence and unwavering commitment to equality will deliver so much to the people of Broadmeadows, Brunswick, Bundoora, Melbourne, Mill Park, Northcote, Pascoe Vale, Preston, Richmond, Thomastown and Yuroke. And my great thanks to Jenny Mikakos for the committed and compassionate advocate Jenny has been for us over her time in parliament.

05.01.2022 Recently we held a conversation with Senator Jess Walsh on #wagetheft. We heard from local resident and young Hospo worker Harriet who shared her powerful story. It wasn’t just the $13,000 in wages that was stolen from Harriet but the pressure she was put under to not pursue wages she was owed. Stories of #wagetheft are not just about the money. They are about the skills and energy of workers that bring business in the doors. We all go to the places where we feel welcome and... can have a yack with workers. Local government has a role to play in reviving our local economy post COVID and I am keen to get out there and encourage people and traders back into the area. But we need to make sure the jobs are good, properly paid and that our kids, like Ted , get a fair go.

05.01.2022 Yarra's bubbling brook. Sunday morning #isowalk.

04.01.2022 By one amazing woman for another amazing woman. Initially refused entry to a US Supreme Court clerk position because she was a woman Ruth Bader Ginsburg used her her intellect and compassion to improve the lives of workers and particularly the lives of women and girls. Her legacy is immeasurable.... Rest in power #RBG.

04.01.2022 Love our Labor family. Unfortunately our #2 candidate Alicia Carr had to withdraw her candidacy due to family reasons but the depth of Labor talent means we have an equally impressive candidate to present to Langridge Ward. Introducing Fitzroy local, party activist and young union lawyer Rowan Payne. Rowan represents some of the most vulnerable workers in the country and helps them take on the power of the world's largest multinational corporations. A Fitzroy apartmen...t dweller, Rowan is passionate about the area's progressive and diverse culture. Rowan will be a powerful voice on council in favour of expanding support of our most vulnerable community members and protecting the inner north from inappropriate development. I am proud to be running with a person who is committed to improving the lives of others. Please read Rowan's full bio on our website - www.yarralabor.org

02.01.2022 This is your last week to vote to make sure you have your say in how Yarra Council will shape our future Thank you to everyone who has come out in support of me, our Yarra Labor team and Yarra Labor's policies - https://yarralabor.org/ If I am elected this is how I will go about making decisions with and on behalf of the community.... 1. Relationships: listening, talking, understanding the community and working through the issues while always doing so respectfully particularly when people disagree; 2. Legislation: to be a good councillor you need to understand the legislative framework council is subject to so you can clarify issues, provide good guidance as to what is possible and what is not, and think about what can be improved and how; and 3. Place making: this is the key to how we enjoy our neighbourhoods. We have an emotional attachment to where we live. It’s where we make friends, raise our children in our families, join the local sporting club, go for walks. We want to live in neighbourhoods that reflect our sense of community. Placemaking is shaped by a positive vision for the future. It depends on good relationships and on councillors working together for the benefit of the community.

01.01.2022 Every Council needs good libraries. Before our last lockdown we were fortunate enough to have a #BingeBundles delivery from our fabulous #YarraLibraries. I have a lifelong love of books. ... Books take us to places we may never go and spaces we may never experience. For me, books are crucial to understanding how the world is for people whose life experiences I do not share. Books make us think. Books make us wiser. Books make us laugh, cry, hide behind the curtains and keep us awake when we should be asleep because they are so riveting. And our libraries are great places for community gatherings. The #BingeBundles our Yarra libraries have organised through the temporary closure period have provided much needed support for those who are learning and for those who seek an escape. Our libraries and librarians have done a fantastic job adapting to changing circumstances and keeping us connected. As a Councillor I will work hard to keep our libraries as the vibrant spaces they are and accessible to everyone in our community. #LibrariesChangeLives

01.01.2022 Today is the last day to post your ballot And what a fitting day to close off what has been an extraordinary election. As we say Thank You to the workers who have cared for us and kept us going through COVID I also want to extend my thanks to the VEC workers who have given us the opportunity to engage in this important democratic process. ... We will not always agree on all issues but we can all agree on the need for open, free and fair elections. I also want to say Thank You to our council workers who provide and facilitate many services that are key to how we enjoy our community. Yarra Labor has a plan to create more opportunities for our people, to care for our climate and to get us back on our feet post COVID - https://yarralabor.org/ And we need you vote to do it. Happy Thank You day and happy voting!