Strong representation for Frankston needed, says ALP candidate Paul Edbrooke
FRANKSTON ALP candidate Paul Edbrooke long knew that life would likely take him towards some form of public service.
Inner South
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WITH parents active in the Salvation Army, Paul Edbrooke long knew that life would likely take him towards some form of public service.
“I always knew my life was going to be steered towards a career in helping people,” he said.
“I have been brought up with community orientated values.”
Mr Edbrooke became a teacher and taught at schools in the Frankston area before becoming a firefighter.
He has been based at the Frankston CFA station for the past 13 years.
With some understatement, he recalled serving on Black Saturday as a “very intense day”.
“It was house to house triage. We would go from one house (to another) to assess if we could make a difference,” he said.
Married to Kirsten with children Jack, 5, Hunter, 8, and Charlotte, 9, Mr Edbrooke is now pursuing a career in politics as Labor’s candidate for Frankston.
“I have always had an interest in politics . . . (and) had strong Labor values,” he said.
He said former federal Labor leader Bob Hawke had made an impression.
Closer to home, the privatisation of the power industry in the Latrobe Valley (where he grew up) and its impact on those around him sharpened his interest in Labor politics.
Later, as a member of the United Firefighters Union, Mr Edbrooke developed an interest in health and safety issues.
In deciding to stand for Frankston, Mr Edbrooke said he wanted to serve the community.
“We need strong representation for Frankston – Frankston is not being heard in government at the moment,” he said.
He vowed to run a grassroots campaign featuring doorknocking, phone calls and chatting to residents.
Mr Edbrooke said key issues included health, transport, education funding and ambulances ramping at Frankston Hospital.
Other candidates to so far declare that they will contest the state election in November include Liberal Sean Armistead, independents Geoff Shaw and Mervyn Vogt and Greens’ Jeanette Swain.
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