Martin Fidler is the Manager of Community wellbeing at the City of Greater Dandenong covering the areas of Children, Youth and Family Services, including Maternal and Child Health.
He has worked in local government for 11 years, and has been with the City of Greater Dandenong for six years.
Previously he had worked for non-government organisations involved in Education & Training, Youth & Family, Housing, Mediation and Counselling.
Greater Dandenong is the most culturally diverse community in Victoria.
Nearly two-thirds of its 145,000 residents were born overseas.
Residents originate from more than 150 birthplaces.
Languages other than English are spoken in two-thirds of Greater Dandenong households, the highest level in the state.
Martin said he enjoys working in a fantastic diverse multicultural municipality with people both from Council and the Community who are passionate about the health and wellbeing of the community.
“A significant portion of the population in Greater Dandenong are children, young people and families, including a high birth rate.
“Our challenge is to ensure our services and resources are responsive to community needs and aspirations.”
Currently in the works for the City of Greater Dandenong are three new Kindergartens on School sites, plus a Maternal and Child Health pilot project called Right at Home that provides intensive support and a new Children’s plan.
“I am privileged to work across many teams at Council and be part of their success.
“In 2010,2012 & 2013 the City of Greater Dandenong has won the State Government’s Early years award.
“Our Family Day Care program was the Victorian winner in 2013 of the National family day Care awards.
“Our Youth Services team won the Victorian Local Government Award for 2013 – recognising excellence in delivering youth services.”
The highlight of his career was to successfully advocate for funding for a respite and vacation care program for Children with disabilities.
Martin was nominated by Councillor Peter Brown, who commended his wonderful working relationship with staff, in particular external organisations.
He also said that Martin was instrumental in the rollout of defibrillators to the council offices and local facilities.
In June 2011, Martin went into cardiac arrest at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Collins Street office.
Instrumental in his survival was the administration of CPR and a defibrillator at the scene.
Dandenong City Council has since purchased defibrillators for Council buildings.
