“Di Gillies is generous, reliable and community-minded, demonstrating her care for others over many years through her proactive and visionary leadership and practical actions as a Board member of Boroondara Cares Foundation, Education CHANCES  and as a Rotary President and member.  Di's work for Servants Housing and a range of other community welfare services Boroondara Cares Foundation provides is exemplary and vital. She is an outstanding citizen and committed Board member and I commend her to you without qualification.”

– Elida Brereton, President National Coun cil of Women (Vic) and Former Principal Camberwell High School

 Who your Councillor is, is important. That person helps set the direction of Council overall, but also represents you day-to-day with the administration. You need somebody who can get things done, through both formal and informal channels. You need someone who is truly interested in the community, has an enviable record of community service, is intelligent, experienced and has real people skills.

You need Di Gillies back on Council.With her enviable record of community service, she has served on Council over the last four years with integrity, focus, enthusiasm and genuine commitment. She also has business skills and a fine touch for politics. And she is popular with her colleagues, working well with them.

As Boroondara’s longest serving Mayor and immediate past Junction Ward Councillor, I heartily endorse Di, and will Vote 1 Di Gillies. I encourage you to do the same. Jack Wegman , Former Councillor and Mayor, Boroondara Council.

Jack Wegman, Former Councillor , and Mayor, City of Boroondara.

“Di Gillies has shown by example how to be an outstanding contributor in the community of Boroondara over many years. Di has been involved in many local organisations and worked within them to provide support for the benefit of our community. There are few in the same league as Di, who are prepared to offer their time and extensive knowledge across a broad range of need in our community. We will all benefit from these qualities which will serve her well as a member of Council.”

– Juliann Byron, Former Chair Bendigo Community Bank - Ashburton, Balwyn Canterbury, Surrey Hills, Kew)

“As proprietor of Dymocks Camberwell and Tooronga, as well as President of the Camberwell Traders and professional businesses,  I have been pleased to be able to support a range of educational and community endeavours in which Di Gillies is a leading light. I was asked to join the Board of Foundation Boorondara by Ben Bodna, and he gave me a project called Chances for Children. I jumped at that challenge and with the substantial help from many people, we got that off the ground. It was my first real community work.

This was when I met with Di Gillies through Rotary and other programs she was involved in. I was asked to sponsor the Rotary Four-way Public Speaking Program for older students. Di was a great supporter of the program who worked very hard to bring public schools into this program. We really did get to know how good Di was at helping community. Between Ben and Di, they have driven me and many others to strive harder to help Community so I hope that, if elected, Di can inspire entire communities, as she has me.  I cannot see a more worthy person to stand for Councillor.”

– Henk Kelly-Kobes, President Camberwell Traders Association

“I have had the good fortune to work with, and see the breadth of endeavours of Di Gilles through Rotary, in education and community service. She works with enthusiasm, and has a genuine interest in the people with whom she engages, and gives each person and situation her utmost attention. It is my great pleasure to commend her to you, and acknowledge that she will make a wonderful councillor if elected.”

– John Hudson OAM, Rotarian and 2019 Boroondara Citizen of the Year

"It is my great pleasure to again commend the work and commitment of my long-time community associate Di Gillies as she seeks to continue her service to the Boroondara community as a councillor. I reinforce my previous endorsement of Di in 2020, when she first contemplated a role in local government. It is again my pleasure to pen a few words in support as she seeks re-election and I wish her ongoing success.

I have known Di for many years and I have worked with her in her volunteer roles in support of challenged members of our community. It is easy to admire Di's impressive application and passion for each challenge that she undertakes and her selfless commitment to community service.”

– Ad Prof. Peter Allan OAM (Rotarian, Former Chair of Boroondara Cares Foundation, Director Myeloma Foundation of Australia)

Local government is no place for party political influence or interference. Two terms as a local councillor demonstrated this to me. Di Gillies is your truly Independent candidate for Junction Ward. Di lives and works in Junction Ward and has an enviable record of local community involvement, advocacy and support for local business. I am confident an even handed, independent representation of community views, will be central to her deliberations on election as your councillor. Your vote for Di Gillies is vital to help ensure a vibrant and inclusive city, meeting the needs and aspirations of all its community.

 - Paul Vallis , Former Councillor and Deputy Mayor, Kew City Council, Junction Ward business owner (retired) , Current Junction Ward resident