26-year-old Kane Presland is a manager at local cafe Penny Whistlers, a surf instructor for the Veteran Surf Project and is also fourth on the ballot paper for Matt Brown’s group in the upcoming local election.

From his experience living in the area, working so many jobs, and in his role as the WithYouWithMe youth project lead when they partnered with Kiama and District Stronger Community (KDSC) to help underemployed and unemployed youth in the area, Presland is very familiar with the issues of unemployment and housing affordability in the Kiama LGA. 

Presland is unsatisfied with the current situation for young people and struggles to see many being able to afford to live in the Kiama LGA long term.

“Housing and accommodation is a significant issue. I am lucky to have work here and would like to see a way I can settle down in my home area in the future, but currently I don’t have high hopes. Jobs are also important,” says Presland.

“Working as a surf instructor for veterans who are experiencing PTSD and as the manager for Penny Whistlers, I know first-hand how important our visitor economy is, along with nature based tourism.”

Presland has always been passionate about the community and understands that employing solutions to meet the community’s needs is a process heavily bogged down by politics. He hopes that the new Kiama Council will be able to quicken this process and get to the results.

“I have always been community minded, having grown up in Toolijooa and Gerringong and now working in Kiama. I wanted to support the work Matt Brown has done for our area, especially his support for young people, jobs and mental health,” says Presland.

“I am interested in seeing how governments can help people and communities. But not particularly interested in the politics side of it, I prefer seeing outcomes over heated debates.”

Presland is hoping that he can also make an impact through bringing younger voices to the forefront of Kiama Council, but he says it’s a two-way street and that the Council can provide young people with a voice, but young people are the ones who have to say something.

“I think the Council can always find ways of better connecting with young people. I think we as young people could probably articulate our concerns better too. There are some Councillors who take up our issues and who encourage us to get more active,” says Presland.  

“As long as there is goodwill all round, good outcomes will be found. Maybe a more direct form of communication aimed at young people would work better than simply asking for our views from time to time.”

Presland will be speaking at the Kiama Youth Forum on Thursday, August 29 from 3-4pm. If you can’t join us at that time, fill out this questionnaire for any questions you might like to ask Presland or any of the other young candidates. More information about the Youth Forum can be found here.