More about Serge

I have been asked by people to say more about myself. Here a few thoughts, in my own words. Hope you will get to know me better.

Have you always wanted to be in local politics?
No, not at all. My father was Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for 30 years in the village where I grew up in Alsace France. I saw what he went though and what mum went through, and I wasn’t interested. However, I suppose something of their community mindedness and interest in getting things done at a local level must have brushed off on me.  In France we are very focused on local community.

What got you interested?

In 2007 the Council, with Dick Gross leading the charge, was the proponent of this massive commercial overdevelopment for the St Kilda Triangle – 180 shops, a supermarket and night clubs and bars for over 5000 people. I thought that this was so wrong for St Kilda, the place I have chosen to live. When I got involved, there were no VCAT appeal rights, and the strategy had to be totally different from anything that had been done before. This is how unChain St Kilda started.

Any interesting anecdotes from the campaign?
There are so many.  But above all my memories of that time are about how the whole of St Kilda came together – I have never forgotten how wonderful that felt.  Being part of something.  And seeing how community mobilisation can really effect change.

My friend comedian and actor Gerry Connolly agreed to do his Queen number as the Triangle was “Crown Land”. Unfortunately, Qantas lost the Queen’s hat and all was in jeopardy… Lucky, the hat box was found and delivered to my house at 1am! I thought that Gerry would kill me. It is very true, never upset a Queen!

One of the highlights was meeting the Head of Sea Shepherd, who happened to be in town. I wanted him to take part to our march. And he came, sitting front row at the Council meeting and making a submission. I was very proud of this moment. We gave him quite a lot of organic fruit and vegetables to thank him.

You have always said that you are independent. Have you ever wanted to join a political party?
I have been asked, but I’ve always said no. I like my independence… The people of St Kilda are my party and my cause. I liked The Democrats under Natasha Stott Despoja and I nearly joined them – I like to keep the bastards honest. But then she resigned and I lost interest. As I like to say, politically I am Far Middle – wherever that puts me… More to the point though, I’m not in this to build a career.  I don’t see it as a stepping stone into state government: I’m here to work for St Kilda and that’s it.

I am a photographer by trade, but over the last 8 years I have had little chance to work on anything but my council commitments.  Financially this has been hard but it means so much to me to be involved with the community.  It is how I grew up.

Are there people who have inspired you?
Several actually,  but there is one who stands out for me. A young tennis player from South Africa, Lucas Sithole, the South African Disabled Athlete of now several years. Lucas was run over by a train when he was 12 and lost his two legs and his right arm. He is the first African to win the Tennis US Open. We have become great friends and he has opened my eyes on disability issues and what “access for all” really means. He show the power of the human spirit and what we can achieve if we push ahead.  I find him truly inspirational.

If you could choose, who would like to have dinner with?
Any of the Obamas! I’d take Michele or Barack! I am lucky, as I met many people in my previous career as a photographer. But for me, they are just people… Michael Jackson, Madonna, and many others..

Is there a person who has had a more prominent part in your life?
My mum of course, LOL! And Dad! And without a doubt, Michael Hutchence, from INXS. He saw the photos I took at one of their concerts and he told me I had a special talent and I should become a professional photographer and he would help me. I miss Michael and get teary when I think of him. He was a great good hearted friend. A very special person.

And also the 70s pop singer Lynne Randell, whom I met when she was Molly Meldrum’s assistant. She decided to end her life when she felt too sick to keep living, after struggling with amphetamines for over 30 years. I think of her every day. She was such a generous lady. Yes, she was crazy, but aren’t we all a bit crazy?

I will also never forget the time I spent in Arnhem Land with Mr Yunipingu many years ago, and I’ll never forget the day he died, as the didgeridoo I had made when I was there fell to the floor in my apartment. Very spooky. I take it as a message.

What is your main achievements at Council?
There are a lot of things that we have achieved together,  but the skate park is a project that I followed very closely from day one. I am very proud of what we have achieved, after nearly 19 years of working to build a great facility for skaters.  It was chosen by Vans as one of their 5 parks for the Inaugural World Park series – one of the top 5 skate parks in the world! I love the park because it has become a great place of assembly, not just a skate park and loved by all. And one of the little skaters, Ben, whom I met at the skate park, asked me to become his godfather, which I take very seriously.

I also feel proud that I was behind the first IFTAR dinner organised by the PP Multi-Faith Network that I have chaired for 4 years. It meant a lot to the local Muslim community. I am also personally chuffed VCAT upheld Council and refused the proposed development on the Novotel site. I was very involved as this was the biggest development in the Catani Ward over the 8 years I have been in Council.   I am also proud that we planted 11,000 trees over the 8 years!

Any regrets?
Yes. Live Nation acquiring a 30 years lease for the Palais. I was very instrumental in getting all the money to refurbish the Palais, using every trick in the book. I did upset a few people along the way.  And then, Live Nation were granted a lease based on an EOI that I doubt they can deliver and in a way that I think will have a negative impact on the Australian music industry. I wish I could say more… There will be 50 gigs at the Palais next year… Compared to 140 this year.

Are you still a professional photographer?
Not really. To be the St Kilda Councillor and Port Phillip Deputy Mayor is a full on job. Financially, to be a Councillor is not sustainable as it’s paid as a part time job. I had to increase my mortgage a few times.  I take photos with my iPhone and I love Instagram!

What do you want to do when you leave Council?
I hope I will be re-elected this year as I believe I have a lot more I want to do.   I would love to work for a Not for Profit organisation to pursue my goals of social justice. I would love to work for indigenous causes, especially young children to give them the best opportunities in life. Or I would love to produce a movie… I also love producing events, with a twist! And PR!  I like getting involved, as you may have noticed.

What do you love so much in St Kilda?
I love the diversity of St Kilda. I like the foreshore, the horizon. The vibe. St Kilda has changed of course and the chain stores have unfortunately taken over our commercial streets. I want Fitzroy Street to be reborn: it has always been a place where sex, drugs and rock and roll mix. Unfortunately, ice is an awful drug that is destroying our youth. It is a big challenge.

What is the best thing about being a Councillor?
It is grassroots community service. Making a difference, big or small. We are not called “Councillors” for nothing… When I walk through our streets, there are so many things that I can say I influenced.  I love that. I get to be involved in so many issues not all directly to do with Council, and I am happy to contribute my energy, experience and ideas where I can help. I have met so many wonderful people in my 8 years a Councillor, it is just a wonderful opportunity. Working with a great team. We might not always have the same ideas but we all work together for the betterment of our community.

What is your favourite spot in St Kilda?
I love the Great St Kilda Wall behind the National Theatre because of what it represents, a community development project involving some of the most vulnerable people in our community (the first thing I unveiled). And I love the Adnate mural at the sports pavilion at the Peanuts Farm. I love Adnate’s work especially our wall. And I love sitting at the end of the Pier watching the sunset.

What is the toughest time you had a Council?
It is certainly the Acland Street project. I think people like it now and I am pleased that what has been built is what I had in mind 3 years ago. But the behaviour of a small loud minority, including a couple of death threats I got, did not help. It made me wonder if it was worth staying at Council. But I kept focused on the project. Facebook can be the best and the worst tool. So many mistruths, false rumours around. And why can’t an individual just shut up when he is totally wrong?

Is there one Councillor you liked working with more than another?
That is a hard question. I really liked working with John Middleton. I was the creative man, he was the engineer. We made a good team. But I had a couple of disappointments as well. Too early to reveal.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge at the City of Port Phillip in the next 4 years?
I did say 4 years ago that Acland Street would be the biggest issue and it was. For the next 4 years? Most probably the Metro Rail project at the Domain Station. People do not realise the impact this will have for many years. The residents are at the moment complaining about the loss of trees… but it is definitely the case here when the trees hides the forest… The construction of more DDA compliant tram stops as per the Federal legislation – in Fitzroy street for example. I did not support the plans adopted by Council in 2013 and I still believe it will have a terrible impact on accessing St Kilda. I am determined to get that stop at the right place, between Princes Street and St Kilda Road.

And of course, find the right cultural institution for the Triangle site. We have developed a cultural charter to govern what is going to be built there and I know we can come up with the third part of the St Kilda legacy after Luna Park and the Palais Theatre. For legendary French architect Jean Nouvel to love the area after I managed to get him to visit St Kilda gave me the confidence that we are on the right track. And of course, get the Pride Centre to St Kilda!

Anyone you would like to thank?
Definitely Mirka Mora. Without her, I would not have become a Councillor and unChain would have never started or survived. By allowing us to use her paintings, we managed to raise thousands of dollars to pay for our legal costs, campaigning, elections. I love Mirka and she treats me like her fourth son. I wish I had known her when she was a vivacious young bohemian woman arriving from France and painting Melbourne red – and maybe even more colours!

Do you think you will ever go back to live in France?
Who knows… I have lived in St Kilda since I arrived in Australia 30 years ago.  I can’t really imagine living in France anymore. However, my parents are getting older and one day they might need me. Family is family.  But I would always be back.  This is home.