Broadmeadows big names Dane Swan, Andreja Pejic unite to save their suburb from Hume Council split

BROADMEADOWS’ favourite sons and daughters are uniting to oppose a council split they fear will damage the famously working-class suburb.

Collingwood footballer Dane Swan and model Andreja Pejic - who grew up in Broadmeadows - against the Sunbury de-amalgamation. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

BROADMEADOWS’ favourite sons and daughters are uniting to oppose a council split they fear will damage the famously working-class suburb.

About 60 per cent of voters in an October 2013 poll voted to allow Sunbury to break away from the City of Hume and set up their own council.

But almost half of those eligible to vote didn’t bother.

Now, fears the split could lead to job losses and higher council rates have led more than 7000 people to sign a petition to let locals vote again.

Collingwood star Dane Swan and New York-based model Andreja Pejic returned to their Broadmeadows roots on Monday to back the campaign.

They had never met before, but quickly hit it off.

Locals tooted and cheered as the pair posed for the cameras.

“At least they’re not booing me,” the Brownlow medallist said.

He said most of his family, including his grandmother, still lived in the suburb, which needed support to prevent further job losses.

He said Pies president Eddie McGuire backed the campaign, “and whatever Ed wants, he usually gets”.

Pejic said the locals in Broadmeadows were typical of the Australian culture in which “people aren’t snobby”.

“Fashion is known for being quite an elitist industry but there are exceptions,” she said.

Australian Services Union branch secretary Richard Duffy said Broadmeadows would suffer if the split went ahead, and people deserved the right to vote.