Meet Tina Samardzija
A True Leader – Serving Local Community with Passion
Leading, even a small team, can be quite a challenge. In our new world, leaders must evolve and adapt as the times change. And as the world changes, it is now more important than ever to learn the qualities it takes to be a dynamic leader. To further understand the crescendos of modern-day leadership, we spoke with the Monash City Council Councillor, Tina Samardzija. One of Tina’s many responsibilities is policy-making and helping to improve the quality of life of the people of Monash. She has an education in economics, is a lawyer, and is now putting her efforts into improving her city residents’ lives. She is a proud mother and is setting an excellent example for her kids.
H2O: Tell us a bit about your background and yourself?
I grew up in a migrant family in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. My parents were born in Croatia and I’m the eldest of three children. I grew up reading books and playing sports with my brothers. I was always a good student and was thrilled to get into Monash University where I studied Economics and Law.
H2O: You started as a commercial lawyer, then moved on to work in state and federal government on major legal, economic, and social policy reforms, including workplace relations, the NDIS and housing. What motivated you to become a councillor?
Living in Wheelers Hill raising my young family (I have a two-year-old and five-year-old) I was spending time in my local community and relying on local services more than ever. Attending local parks and playgrounds, shopping strips, maternal and child health services and kindergartens, I wanted a greater say in how they were delivered.
I also wanted Monash to focus more on residents in Mulgrave and Wheelers Hill. As a local resident and with my skills in economics and law, I knew I could make a positive contribution.
H2O: People often look to their elected representatives to provide leadership and guidance. What challenges do you face in day-to-day affairs as Councillor?
I really enjoy being a local councillor. I love speaking with people in the community, helping to connect them with council services and work to solve issues in our area. Sometimes it can be challenging to carve time out for the medium to longer-term financial and strategic thinking around what council should deliver and how. I’m also only one of eleven councillors, so I need to constantly be thinking how to win the support of at least five of them to get my ideas through.
I’m proud to have championed the idea of revitalising our local shopping strips, which was one of my election commitments. An audit of local shopping strips in Monash is included in the 2021-22 draft budget and will inform a priority list and general scope of future works.
Another focus of mine is graffiti and maintenance. Several locations in Mulgrave are constantly beset by graffiti and poor standards of maintenance when it comes to road debris and the state of median strips, and most problem spots relate to assets controlled by the Victorian Department of Transport.
I’m pushing for Monash to work with other councils to advocate for adequate funding from the State Government to meet its responsibilities.
H2O: Developing a vision for the community and deciding what needs to be done to achieve that vision is vital for the Councillor. Convincing the community to endorse and follow that vision and associated plans requires leadership. How do you achieve a strong sense of shared purpose and commitment as their leader?Well I’m still learning about that, having only been elected in November 2020! I’m very honoured and privileged that my community put their trust in me and my vision to focus more on families and residents in Mulgrave and Wheelers Hill, while keeping rates low and responsibly managing our finances. I’m working hard to keep their trust.
H2O: What is your greatest fear as a leader, and how do you manage fear?
I don’t think about fear, unless you count the fear of not getting everything I need done as the days are not long enough! Even then it’s about accepting that time is finite, thinking about why I get out of bed every morning, and prioritising accordingly and living with no regrets.
H2O: As Councillor, what are your priorities?
In a nutshell, get more done for families and residents in Mulgrave and Wheelers Hill. I want to:
- Protect our renowned spacious and leafy green character and stop inappropriate development
- Improve community enjoyment of the Wheelers Hill Library and Monash Gallery site and improve services at Mulgrave library
- Upgrade old and tired local playgrounds
- Prevent antisocial behaviour by removing graffiti and litter quickly, and installing more rubbish and recycling bins
- Address traffic and safety concerns in our residential streets
- Enhance local shopping strips, and
- Work with owners and traders to revitalise the Wheelers Hill Shopping Centre.
H2O: Monash is one of the most culturally diverse communities in Victoria, with around 45% of our population born overseas. You are a member of Monash “Multicultural Advisory Committee”. Please share your role in this capacity, and what are the significant issues affecting Monash’s culturally and linguistically diverse community?
I’m one of three councillors on the Multicultural Advisory Committee, which also includes representatives from residents and community organisations.
The Committee provides Council with feedback and advice on policies, plans and services that affect CALD communities and helps Council promote the benefits of cultural diversity. Our CALD communities faced challenges throughout the pandemic that required thoughtful communication strategies, and our international students in particular relied on support from the community.
H2O: Share with us about the “Positive Ageing Network Forum” of which you are a member?
The Positive Ageing Network Forum advises Council on issues affecting the health and well-being of seniors from CALD backgrounds and their families. Community leaders from several senior citizen groups across Monash meet each quarter. Members are predominantly from a CALD background.
H2O: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship to me is about seeing opportunities and taking action to make them a reality. An entrepreneur needs:
- Optimism: the belief that things can be improved, and the ability to see how, can only come from seeing the good in things;
- Discipline: the patience, persistence and self-control to focus on your goals and continuously improve; and
- Flexibility and creativity: the ability to draw linkages between things, and be open to new ways of doing and thinking.
