Victoria’s movers and shakers share their Christmas wishlist
With Christmas right around the corner, some of Victoria’s biggest movers and shakers have shared their wishlist for Santa with the Sunday Herald Sun.
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Christmas is right around the corner and the state is filled with festive spirit.
Victoria’s movers and shakers have shared with the Sunday Herald Sun their wishlist for Santa.
SALLY CAPP
Melbourne Lord Mayor
What do you want for Christmas?
“I want something that will help me get out on the water for Christmas, so I am hoping Santa brings a kayak. The city has turned its back on the water for too long so I want to lead by example and encourage everyone to make better use of the Yarra River and Victoria Harbour.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“My top priority is to help create more beds with wrap-around support services for people who are sleeping rough on our streets. This is an issue that affects those who are sleeping rough, traders and residents. We all need to do more for people who are at their most vulnerable.”
MICHAEL GUDINSKI
Music guru
What do you want for Christmas?
“Some quiet time with my family, who are my everything, and for my dream of a new building, large enough to house all our Melbourne Mushroom businesses, to come to fruition.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“To ensure we maintain Melbourne as not just the music capital of Australia but one of the leading music capitals of the world. We can never rest on our laurels, it’s a great time for our Australian artists internationally – The Teskey Brothers, Tones And I, Vance Joy, DMA’s being just a few – but there’s always more that can be done. Whether they are signed with Mushroom or not I’m so proud of what is being achieved by a new generation of Australian acts.”
ANTHEA LOUCAS BOSHA
Food and Wine Victoria chief
What do you want for Christmas?
“Simple and perhaps a cliche but health and happiness for my family. There’s nothing more important.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“For Melbourne and Victoria to continue to reaffirm its status as Australia’s pre-eminent food and wine region with diverse and pristine produce, food innovation and a restaurant scene that is the envy of the world. We need to find more ways for the entire supply chain, from the farmers who grow our beautiful produce to the restaurants who use this produce to create our exceptional dining experiences, to be more sustainable. The challenges are real.”
STEPHANIE MILLER
Model and television presenter
What do you want for Christmas?
“This is the first Christmas that my husband, Josh, and I will be hosting our families for Christmas and we are so excited to bring everyone together. It’s been a huge year leading up to our wedding last month so all I want is to have both families together and for everyone to sit back, relax, eat plenty of food and be merry.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“We’ve lost more than 250 people on our roads across the state this year which is heartbreaking and unacceptable. The number of lives lost has significantly increased in comparison to last year, which is scary. I would love everyone to continue to think about safety on the roads in 2020 and strive towards a future free from loss of lives and injury.”
SHANE DELIA
Chef/owner Delia Group
What do you want for Christmas?
“I could be politically correct and say equality, global peace and a world without wars, but this year, as Christmas is close to my 40th, I want a present! I’m a big sucker for cars and I’ve had my eye on a 2003 Mercedes SL 55. I’ve looked at it for years. When I was finishing my apprenticeship they were the car. One day, I said then, I want this car.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“Generally hospitality is in a good shape at the moment, there’s a lot of young talented people coming up through the ranks, not just in the kitchen but front of house and producers. That should be embraced. It would be good to focus on how positive things are – food is one of the great things about our state.”
GILLON McLACHLAN
AFL chief
What do you want for Christmas?
“Really all I want is to have a break with the family and enjoy watching our kids having fun running around with their cousins and friends. It would be a perfect Christmas if our three-year-old daughter started sleeping all the way through the night.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“I think the same thing that everyone wants – no bushfires in 2020. We know it is going to be a really hot summer and, sitting here on a 44C day, all I hope is that everyone across Victoria stays safe in 2020 and we are spared any more of the bushfires that have devastated communities around the country.”
SHAYNE ELLIOTT
ANZ chief
What do you want for Christmas?
“For Christmas, I want to spend some time away from work with my family and catch up with friends. It’s the most important thing for me and I always like to take a decent collection of books on my break so I can catch up on reading that isn’t directly work-related.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“I hope Victoria has a summer free of any catastrophic bushfires or other natural disasters that too many of our fellow Australians have already had to brave in recent months. I’m also hoping for an end to the awful measles outbreak in Samoa, which has a large expat community here in Victoria.
From an economic point of view, I’d like to see some of the big infrastructure projects across Victoria translate into a confidence boost for the state’s economy and drive some sustainable wage growth. That would help many Victorians ease the pressure on their household budgets and provide a little breathing room.”
CRAIG TILEY
Tennis Australia chief
What do you want for Christmas?
“The perfect gift would be for my extended family from around the world to surprise us with a visit to Australia for Christmas, including my 103-year-old grandma. I would also love to be able to wave a magic wand so all of my friends and family can have great health in 2020. Speaking of health, a month’s supply of ready-made meals, an exercise machine that gives you the same workout in 10 minutes as an hour run and every Aussie kid to play sport at school.
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“For 2020 to begin with an Aussie winning the Australian Open in January. Honestly, I can’t wait for next year’s tournament. It’s shaping up to be a once in a generation event which every Melburnian and Victorian needs to be a part of. We are so lucky to have the world’s best athletes on our doorstep to help inspire the next generation of tennis lovers.”
AMANDA ELLIOTT
VRC chairman
What do you want for Christmas?
“This Christmas I hope to be able to enjoy some quality time with my family and friends. It has been such a busy year for Victoria Racing Club, culminating in another wonderful Melbourne Cup Carnival but I haven’t seen much of my loved ones and cannot wait to enjoy the Christmas break with them. Another thing I’m looking forward to is being able to wear some flat shoes for a few weeks!”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“I hope that it rains in all the right places for our Victorian farmers. It is a wish that extends to all Australians who are struggling with drought and bushfires and I really do pray for rain in those communities. In 2020 I hope to see Victoria, in particular our great city of Melbourne, maintain its position as the sporting capital of the world. I hope our “Team Melbourne” approach to these marvellous sporting events in Melbourne gets some traction in 2020 and Victorians are proud of the spectacular events held right here in their home state. In 2020 the Victoria Racing Club will celebrate the 180th anniversary of the first ever race run at Flemington in March 1840, and I hope all Victorians join us in celebrating this moment.”
TEGAN MARTIN
Model and former Miss Universe Australia
What do you want for Christmas?
“This year I don’t wish for any material items, just quality time with my loved ones! I love living in Melbourne but it’s definitely different being away from my friends and family and I miss them everyday.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“As we head into a new decade, I think it’s more important than ever to ensure we continue to strive for a sustainable future, not only in Victoria, but across Australia as a whole.”
CURTIS STONE
Chef
What do you want for Christmas?
“To have a few days off with my family in Melbourne. I have my wife Lindsay and our two beautiful boys with us in Melbourne this Christmas. I am looking forward to a traditional Chrissy spread with all the trimmings. Just all being together in my hometown is the biggest gift that I could ask for.”
What you want for Victoria in 2020?
“I know that our Aussie farmers have been doing it tough. Victoria has also been affected by bushfires. If I could wave my magic want it would be for the Aussies doing it tough. Wishing everyone a 2020 filled with happy times and full bellies.”