In partnership with its Multicultural Advisory Group, Eastern Community Legal Centre (ECLC) is hosting a Candidates’ Forum for the Federal Electorate of Menzies.

The forum will be an opportunity for community members to meet their local candidates, hear about their policies and to ask questions.

Featuring Gabriel Ng (ALP), Keith Wolahan (LP), Stella Yee (IND) and Bill Pheasant (Greens).

Wednesday, 16th April 2025
6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Box Hill Town Hall
1022 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill

Registrations are essential and close Monday, 14th April.

Gabriel Ng – Labor Candidate for Menzies

As a lawyer, a former public servant and as a volunteer at community legal centres, Gabriel has been committed to standing up for those most in need in our community.

Gabriel learned the importance of hard work from his parents. His dad is an aircraft maintenance engineer, a Chinese Singaporean immigrant who came to Australia in his twenties and his mum grew up in regional Victoria, becoming the first in her family to go to university. She has been a hospital worker, a lawyer and is now a Uniting Church Minister.

Gabriel grew up in Doncaster and now lives in the area with his wife Maaya and their two children. As local parents, they know the importance of accessible healthcare, having attended Box Hill Hospital countless times.

Gabriel will work hard for the people of Menzies and be a strong voice for them.

Keith Wolahan – Liberal Candidate for Menzies

Keith Wolahan is an experienced lawyer and veteran who is passionate about improving the local area.

Keith has lived most of his life in east Melbourne, including being school captain at Ringwood Secondary College. His first job was at Eastland McDonalds.

After graduating from university in 2005, Keith worked as a lawyer with national firm Mallesons Stephen Jaques, before becoming a barrister in 2010. At the Bar he specialised in commercial and consumer trials.

Keith also served as a Captain in the Australian Army, serving numerous combat tours, including Timor Leste and Afghanistan. In the 2011 Australia Day Honours, Keith was awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for performance of duty in action as platoon commander.

He lives with his wife Sarah, and together they are raising their two young children and trying to train their dog called Jet. They understand the pressures facing local families.

Stella Yee – Independent Candidate for Menzies

For the past 24 years—two in Surrey Hills and 22 in Doncaster—I’ve been proud to call Menzies home. I’ve raised my family here, built lifelong friendships, and served this incredible community. Like you, I know how special this place is, and I believe it deserves a representative who will put people over politics.

Some of you may remember me as the Labor candidate for Menzies in 2019. Since then, a lot has changed. We’ve faced a pandemic that tested our resilience, a cost-of-living crisis that’s hitting families hard, and a housing market that’s making homeownership out of reach for too many Australians.

During this time, I made the decision to part ways with the Labor Party. It’s apparent that the major parties put their own agendas ahead of everyday Australians —prioritising big business and special interest groups instead of the people they were elected to serve.

Like many of you, I’ve become disillusioned with the two-party system. It’s simply not working. Instead of listening to their communities, politicians are toeing the party line.

That’s why I’m running as an independent—because Menzies deserves a representative who will put people first, not politics.

Bill Pheasant – Greens Candidate for Menzies

I’m a Warrandyte resident of 25 years, an environmentalist and former business journalist. I’m committed to building community, sustainability, transparency and justice.

I’m nominating for Menzies because the major parties take millions of dollars in donations from corporations. It’s no wonder they put their corporate mates before you.

I’m proud to be part of a party that seeks an end to new coal and gas, and backs publicly owned renewable energy, cheaper groceries, and a rent freeze.

We want to make big corporations pay their fair share of tax and fund things we all need, like putting dental and mental health into Medicare and creating government-built homes to rent and buy.

In a wealthy country like ours, everyone should be able to afford the basics and governments should actually solve the problems we face.

The people of Menzies know they deserve better, and I am ready to demand it. If you want change, it’s time to vote for it.