Hannah Hammoud
Christian Zahra has been welcomed as a new Administrator for Whittlesea council after being appointed in March. He says what he is hoping to achieve in his role is about delivering for the community, rather than any individual goal or project.
What do you love most about Whittlesea?
Well, it’s hard to know where to start and finish in answering this one. I know it’s a cliché but the thing I really love about Whittlesea is that it’s a municipality that can honestly claim to have it all. The vibrant northern suburbs and the huge employment opportunities that are available locally as well as the genuine country feel and natural beauty of the rural northern parts of the city around Whittlesea township. Whittlesea itself is such a pretty town with a great country feel and so easy to get to for people in other parts of the municipality. Not every big and growing municipal area has something that special. I think it’s the diversity in Whittlesea that really makes it special.
What prompted you to join the Whittlesea council?
I recently worked in a similar role as an Administrator at South Gippsland Shire Council and really enjoyed it. It’s a rare situation having a panel of Administrators appointed, so there’s only a fairly small group of people who have done it before. It’s the sort of the thing where the experience of having actually done it before is really useful. Working collaboratively with the community and with my fellow Administrators to achieve things is something I get a lot of satisfaction in being involved in. So I was very happy to be asked to serve and have found the experience so far of working with my two colleagues Lydia and Peita really great. They are both very accomplished and very dedicated to the work.
The most important thing for me is bringing an independent mind to every decision we have to make and collaborating with my colleagues on the decisions we will need to make between now and the end of our term next year.
What motivates you in your life and work?
Family is the most important thing for me. I’m lucky to have a fantastic wife who I’ve been married to for nearly 20 years and an 18-year-old son who I’m really proud of and who is finishing year 12 this year. My mum is 86 and is also an important part of our life which is something I’m sure many people can relate to. Always doing my work to a high standard is important to me and I try in every role I’m in to do work I’m proud of.
Tell us something people would be surprised to know about you.
People might be surprised to know I’m a very keen fisherman. My son is even keener than I am. I’ve also taught myself how to weld over the last few years and made an awesome smoker out of scrap metal that I’m proud of and is regularly commented on by friends when they come to our place.
