By AIDAN KNIGHT

 

FOR Dean Sutton, the issues plaguing Morwell do not outweigh its qualities.

While he may reside further out of the main drag, his son attends school in Morwell, and he has fulfilled many volunteer and community positions across the municipality, often with much of the work taking place within the Morwell area.

Currently a department manager at a separate regional council, managing local programs for youth, disability, and First Nations groups (among more), Mr Sutton told the Express his decision to contest the August by-election was motivated by a desire to provide strong representation for his community.

A jack-of-all-trades, Mr Sutton has worked across banking and mortgage lending, travel management, agriculture, and his time in a council environment brings many different perspectives to the table. With his impressive resume of community work (Latrobe Citizen of the Year, Glengarry Community Assoc., Quantum Services, Suicide Prevention organisations, etc) it’s hard to say he’s not there for the advancement of a regional area and it’s people.

When asked what makes him stand out from the pack, however, his biggest focus was on where he is now.

“I’ve got the insight as a council officer, and a community member on the outside – advocating for community,” he said.

Mr Sutton is very passionate about shifting the current financial focus more towards maintenance.

“Rather than throwing money at new stuff, the reality is there is no money to maintain and operate,” he said.

“Long-term strategic decisions that are going to benefit the wellbeing and health of our community, rather than short-term Band-Aid fixes, which are expensive and don’t work.”

Addressing the perception of Morwell, Mr Sutton said he wants to “change the narrative”, noting that while the town draws government investment, it’s not distributed as transparently or responsibly as he’d like.

Mr Sutton emphasised that active engagement is non-negotiable for an elected representative.

“Part of putting your hands up to be a councillor and represent people is you have to be available, seen, and supported,” he said.

“Without relationships, the role is useless.”

 

ROB Moffatt has big plans for Morwell.

A Violet Town expat, having lived in the Gippsland area for more than 35 years now, where he raised both his children, Mr Moffat says his campaign is driven entirely by one simple idea: passion for Morwell.

Mr Moffat has been thoroughly involved in community, mostly through a sporting lens for three decades, always in the township of Morwell. He is a former cricket club president, junior baseball coach, bocce club contributor and Heart Focus Community Care member. Before moving to the Valley, he volunteered with Meals on Wheels and as a CFA firefighter in the Alpine region.

Now working in logistics at a coffee supplier based in Moe, he spent many years running a local video store, while managing one elsewhere, before venturing into a small good business.

“When this opportunity came up, a few people said to me, ‘you should try for it’. I’ve always been told to run for council, I always thought it was jokingly, but actually considered it when the suggestions were more serious,” Mr Moffat said.

Now committed to the cause, Mr Moffatt had no hesitation in answering affirmatively when asked if he would continue further candidacy attempts for Latrobe City should he not succeed this time around.

He’s sceptical of anyone running for the job without a postcode within the ward – and is the first candidate to make the point that the Morwell River Ward boundary also includes parts of Churchill. Mr Moffatt emphasised that those residents will not be forgotten.

Central to Mr Moffatt’s platform is addressing antisocial behaviour and safety concerns in the Morwell CBD. He said he has deliberately spent time “at what I’d call ground zero” – walking Commercial Road speaking with traders and residents.

“It’s all good that you and I might say, ‘okay, we need PSO officers down there’ … but that’s just a Band-Aid solution. We need to know why these people are coming in, why they keep coming there and arranging themselves in that area (near the bus interchange) and behaving in that way,” he said.

Mr Moffatt argued that early intervention and engagement with young people was critical.

“The older people remember what Morwell was like; they’ve got that passion. The younger generations coming up now can’t remember what it’s like, so they haven’t got that passion, and that’s the real problem as we come forward,” he said

 

GRAHAM Lougheed has lived in the Latrobe Valley for 33 years, having grown up and gone to school in the Warragul area.

His professional history in the region is also extensive, starting with his first job. He is a small business owner and has been involved significantly in community bodies such as Advance Morwell and the Yallourn Community Group ever since his kids left home.

“With kids you’re inherently involved in community, sporting clubs and school,” he said.

Council may be in his blood, as he tells of his aspirations to be a Latrobe City generational councillor, after his father Bruce, who represented the Tanjil Ward (now absorbed into the Yallourn Ward).

Mr Lougheed’s approach to the job is one of quiet realism, something he displays upfront at all times.

He sees it that there are bigger issues than “flinging tar” within a council setting.

“That’s something that sets me apart from John (council hopeful John Ellingham) and Guss (Lambden),” he said during an interview.

“I am definitely there for Latrobe City and not just the ward. I understand the job is bigger than Morwell.

“Yallourn is where I sleep, but the whole of Latrobe City is where I work and where I live – in all aspects of the city.”

Mr Lougheed said he would see no issue in doing council work outside the Morwell River Ward rather than passing it to another councillor if he got the call.

“It’s still easy to go out there and have the chat,” he said.

“Morwell might geographically be the heart of Latrobe,” he said, “but funnily enough Morwell has three hearts (in Moe, Morwell and Traralgon)”.

Quick to point out he too doesn’t forget about the little towns, Mr Lougheed said he’d look to bring back some of his father’s work, being involved in the ‘small seven towns’ policy before he ended is time with council in 2012.

Ultimately, Mr Lougheed views his potential seat on council as a tool for genuine advocacy.

“My role is to listen to the locals and be able to portray that at the next meeting,” he said.

He believes that for the council to be effective, it must return to a model of true engagement with the public.

“We can’t be representing the electorate if we’re not listening,” he said, pledging to bring a direct, community-focused voice back to the Latrobe City chamber.

He told the Express that while he hadn’t seriously considered council life before, he’s set on it now, and is not afraid to challenge the status quo or ask the “hard questions” regarding regional transitions and land use.

The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) will send ballot packs to all voters who were correctly enrolled for Morwell River Ward by the close of roll. Voting closes Friday, July 31, 2026 at 6pm.

Election manager Janette Gibson advised voters to vote as soon as possible.

“Post or hand deliver your completed ballot pack by the deadline to make your vote count,” she said.

“Voting closes at 6pm on Friday, 31 July, but our advice is to not leave it to the last minute.”