By Shamsiya Hussainpoor
With over two decades of experience in community banking, Mick Spruhan has held roles as both a branch manager and a senior branch manager since 2000 and he’s now running for election as one of the three candidates for Lyster Ward.
Mr Spruhan was the president of Basketball team for more than two-decades, where he demonstrated a commitment to community engagement and youth evolvement.
He was president of the basketball association and told his wife years ago that while he finds local council work interesting, he wouldn’t pursue it until he stepped away from his basketball commitments – he believes council requires someone who can fully dedicate the necessary time and effort to make a meaningful impact.
He’s been a local in the Hills for more than three decades, having played Aussie Rules for Belgrave and Belgrave South.
“I’ve got three grown up boys, between them, they’ve got five kids, so I’ve got five grandchildren, and I’ve got a stepson and a stepdaughter, and I’d say my relationship with them are pretty great,” Mr Spruhan said.
“One thing I love about living in Belgrave is the environment itself; it has a great vibe to it, and I appreciate the sense of community and the overall atmosphere of the Hills.”
“People see me as a genuine person, and that’s what I want to carry forward if I’m successful as a candidate for the Lyster ward.”
Mr Spruhan said his leadership style is consultative and realistic.
“I believe in finding common ground between different parties, for instance, if Party A wants something done and Party B has a different perspective, it’s essential to bridge the gap and find a middle ground,” he said.
“As a councillor, I see my role as the connection between residents’ wants and needs and the council’s capabilities, many decisions regarding development and housing come from higher authorities, which means it’s crucial to communicate effectively with both sides.”
“When those in charge express what they want, I would approach them to discuss feasible areas for implementation – if they leave it open-ended, it’s important to engage with the community to gather their insights and preferences on what should be prioritised and where they feel comfortable with changes and ultimately, it comes down to communication and consultation, and that’s what I aim to promote if I’m elected.”
Mr Spruhan’s family name is fairly well known in the Belgrave and Belgrave South area. And throughout his dealings with people over the years, he has received no feedback suggesting that he is disingenuous or disrespectful and he said he has no intention to change that now.
“As a councillor, I hope to be seen as approachable and committed to open communication, while my approach may differ from previous experiences, I deeply believe in promoting a positive relationship with the community,” he said.
