Cr Connie Boglis OAM

04/03/2026

Victoria is at a crossroads.

As a Counsellor of more than twenty years working across government, managing non profit organisations and working in therapeutic settings, and now as a Councillor in local government serving on the Municipal Association of Victoria Health and Wellbeing Committee, I see firsthand how widening disparity is polarising our communities.

Local government is the first point of connection for many residents. It is the third space beyond home and work where people build social connectedness, seek support early, and access community before challenges escalate into crisis. Community centres, libraries, neighbourhood houses, maternal and child health services, youth services and local programs are often the first place someone reaches out.

Yet these early intervention and prevention spaces remain underfunded, despite clear evidence that they reduce long term social and economic costs. If we are serious about wellbeing, we must invest intentionally in prevention, early intervention and community connection. We must fund the social infrastructure that keeps people well, not only the systems that respond once they are unwell.
We cannot keep funding crisis while neglecting prevention.

Backing local government with sustained and intentional funding is not optional. It is essential to the future resilience of Victoria.

Local government is where democracy meets daily life. It is where trust is built through kindergartens, maternal and child health, libraries, community centres, local roads, climate challenges, public spaces and the countless services that quietly support more than seven million Victorians every day.

I strongly support the call from the Municipal Association of Victoria to strengthen local systems so our cities, regions and towns can remain thriving, resilient and inclusive.

If we want responsive services that meet people where they are then we must back local government with sustainable funding, genuine partnership and respect for its role as the first tier of government closest to the people.

Strong councils build strong communities, and strong communities build a stronger Victoria.

www.mav.asn.au/news/belonging-matters-communications-campaign

01/03/2026

I attended the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) event at RACV Victoria, to discuss incivility in local government.

It was a timely and important conversation.
Across Victoria, councillors particularly women are experiencing increasing hostility, online abuse, political intimidation, and at times deeply personal attacks. What should be robust debate about policy too often becomes behaviour that undermines democracy itself.

Local government is the level of government closest to the people. We are neighbours first, decision-makers second. When incivility becomes normalised, it doesn’t just impact councillors it affects staff, volunteers, community advocates, and ultimately the trust residents place in their Council.

As someone who works in mental health and community advocacy, I see clearly the toll this culture can take. In any other industry, this behaviour would be diciplined, people let go of or protections like unions and work safe available. We dont have any of that.

Strong debate is healthy. Disagreement is ok.
Bullying, intimidation and personal attacks are not.
If we want courageous, community-focused leadership, we must also create environments where leaders are safe, supported and accountable to do their job well.

Thank you to the VLGA for creating space for this important discussion. Reform, resourcing and cultural change are needed not just policies on paper, but real mechanisms that protect wellbeing and strengthen integrity.

25/02/2026

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the Wellbeing Forum held at the Intercultural Centre at Darebin City Council.

As a long standing mental health advocate, private practice counsellor, former state team leader within the not for profit sector, and someone who has worked on the ground in state government child protection services for decades, this work is deeply personal and professional for me.

Since being elected as a councillor, strengthening mental health and wellbeing responses at a local government level has remained a core focus of my work. It was incredibly meaningful to sit in the room and observe local service providers coming together to speak openly about what they are seeing on the ground. Everything I have been raising over the past year was reiterated.

We know 30% of people in our municipality are lonely, and they are around my age. We know people are presenting at our customer service desk, in our libraries, through our community services and neighbourhood houses asking for early mental health support. They are not waiting for crisis. They are asking for connection, guidance and intervention earlier.

We also know that around 30% of Darebin residents are carers and 60% of those carers are women. The intersection between caring, social isolation and mental health cannot be ignored. Loneliness starts long before someone's mental health decline. It happens quietly and long before crisis point.

Last year I met with Michelle Lim and attended the Ending Loneliness Together Conference to better understand evidence based responses to social isolation. What was discussed yesterday strongly reflected those conversations. Early identification matters. Community spaces matter. Third places matter.

At councils meeting last night, we endorsed my ALGA motion seeking greater resourcing for local governments to deliver early intervention mental health and wellbeing supports. As Darebin’s delegate to Australian Local Government Association this year, I will be progressing this advocacy nationally, seeking proper investment so councils can respond to what our neighbours are telling us they need.

I also sit on the Health and Wellbeing Committee of the Municipal Association of Victoria and supporting advocacy to the State Government for sustained and appropriate investment in early intervention mental health and wellbeing responses at a local government level.

Across Victoria and nationally, councils are consistently saying that we are often the first point of contact. People walk into libraries, sporting clubs, maternal and child health services, neighbourhood houses and community centres seeking connection and support. Yet councils are not resourced proportionate to that demand.

Health and wellbeing is a legislated responsibility and early intervention is where we can make the greatest difference.

After today's forum, these important conversations will continueat a Mental Health Forum in April, ensuring ongoing needs are captured and that those with lived and living experiences, service providers, council and community remain aligned in our response.

Yesterday was advocacy in action. The work continues.

25/02/2026

Last night at Darebin City Council was an important meeting for community advocacy, mental health, and accountability.

I was proud to support and speak to several key outcomes:

✅ The community petition for JS Grey Kindergarten was successful, ensuring this matter remains firmly on Council’s agenda and this long term request for expansion gets answered.

✅ A motion passed requesting a report on outstanding Your Street Your Say group A projects, providing transparency on delivery time frames, costs to completion and the outcomes for residents who have been asking for years and where their rate payers money has been going.

✅ Further details will be provided regarding the JS Grey Kindergarten expansion, giving clarity to families seeking information about expansion options, cost and progress.

✅ Council supported my ongoing push for a proposed Health and Wellbeing Committee, strengthening our governance focus on prevention, equity, and whole of community wellbeing.

✅ Im a delagate for Darebin Council at this year's ALGA conference in Canberra and im seeking greater resourcing for local governments to deliver stronger mental health and wellbeing support to our communities. As demand continues to grow, and councils are being asked to do more we cannot carry this responsibility without appropriate state and federal investment.

Throughout the meeting I reiterated that representing residents through the ongoing feedback, consultations, emails, calls, and petitions is core to the role of a councillor.

Community advocacy does not begin and end during elections as one councillor tried to reiterate last night. It is ongoing, and as an independent Councillor, it's even more important that my communities voice is heard.

Last night demonstrated that respectful persistence and clear governance processes can deliver outcomes.

Thank you to everyone in the west ward for your ongoing advocacy. Your voice informs mine in the chamber.

18/02/2026

Reservoir, get ready… because Taste of Reservoir is BACK! 🎉

I’m so excited to share that our incredible traders along Edwardes Street in Reservoir Village are once again bringing the flavour, fun and community spirit we all love.

If you joined last year, you’ll remember the buzzing atmosphere, delicious food, family-friendly activities and the wonderful energy that makes Reservoir so special!

📍 Edwardes Street, Reservoir Village
🗓 March 28th- bring your family, bring your friends, and come hungry!

Let’s support local, celebrate our diverse food culture, and enjoy a great day out together. I can’t wait to see you there!

🎉 Get ready, Reservoir! 🎉

The Taste of Reservoir at the Easter Festival is coming back on Saturday, 28 March 2026!

Mark your calendars and get ready for a fun-filled community day with:
✨ Delicious food tastings from local traders
✨ Live entertainment and roving performers
✨ Easter-themed activities for the whole family

Stay tuned – food sampling tickets go live on 2 March 2026!

10/02/2026

Local focus, local responsibilities. Darebin.

09/02/2026

Tonights dinner, yum!

03/02/2026

PARLIAMENT HERE WE COME!
On Wednesday 18 February at 12:30pm, we’re taking our Keep Our Doors Open campaign to the steps of the Victorian Parliament!
Thank you to everyone who has already shared their messages, this campaign has gained real momentum, and we’d love you to join us on the day.
If you're interested, contact gm@bridgedarebin.org.au.
Your voice helps show the strength of our community!

[IMAGE: A bright graphic with bold colours showing illustrated people walking, cycling and pushing prams. Text reads “Keep Our Doors Open – Day of Action,” “Strong Communities Start Here,” and “18 Feb, 12:30pm. Join us on the steps of Victorian Parliament.”]

https://www.nhvic.org.au/2026-campaign?utm_content=sked_697833a7a5f9ebf76194f92e&utm_medium=social&utm_name=sked&utm_source=facebook

02/02/2026

🌟 Know an extraordinary woman in Victoria? It’s time to celebrate her! 🌟

Nominations are open for the 2026 Victorian Honour Roll. If she’s a trailblazer, change maker, or inspiring leader making a real impact, let's highlight her contribution ☺️

📅 Nominations close 20 March 2026
👉 Nominate now: vic.gov.au/honour-roll-women

01/02/2026

Last night at Hayes Park, Thornbury, I had the privilege of spending time with Merri Outreach Support Service and their supporters.

This is the sector I commenced my career in over 20 years ago - The quiet problem-solving and round the clock work that goes unseen to provide food, shelter and safety.

Thank you for the care you bring to our community and for the important work you do supporting people across Darebin, for some its a lifeline.

27/01/2026

24/01/2026

The Macedonian Ball was a hit Preston Lions Football Club

Thank you for inviting the Consulate General and myself as your guests.

Moments like tonight remind me how important identity and community are locally. Dancing with lifelong friends to music I grew up with, speaking a shared language that connects strangers and eating traditional food we have all shared around the dinner table.We are so lucky to live in a country that encourages cultural expression and connection.

My feet might be sore from dancing, but my heart remains full ❤️