Stonnington Citizens of the year Eva de Jong-Duldig (left) and David Southwick (right) pictured with Mayor of Stonnington, Councillor Claude Ullin.

DALIA SABLE

TWO members the Jewish community were recognised in the 2009 City of Stonnington Citizen of the Year Awards.

Presented at Malvern Town Hall recently, Eva de Jong-Duldig received an award for outstanding service to the community in the area of arts and culture and David Southwick for outstanding service to the community in the area of youth.

Director of public museum and art gallery the Duldig Studio, de Jong-Duldig works to promote art and culture in the local community, as well as to regional, national and international audiences.

“I am thrilled and proud,” de Jong-Duldig told The AJN. “It was very unexpected because I didn’t even know I had been nominated. I received a call from the mayor congratulating me on my nominations and then informing me that I had won.” Read the full story

David Southwick with his wife Hayley and children Tyler and Paige. Photo: Ben Weinstein

NAOMI LEVIN

DAVID Southwick edged closer to a seat in Victoria’s Parliament after he won Liberal Party pre-selection for the seat of Caulfield last Thursday.

If elected in next year’s state election, Southwick would replace long-standing Caulfield MLA Helen Shardey, who announced her retirement after 13 years in the seat.

“I am honoured to be chosen by the Liberal Party to be the candidate for Caulfield,” Southwick said after gaining preselection unopposed.

“Born in Caulfield and living most of my life in the area, I will work to make a difference through actively representing the interests of our community.”

It is Southwick’s third tilt at winning a seat for the Liberal Party.

In 2004, he faced Michael Danby in the then safe federal seat of Melbourne Ports. While he didn’t win, he did gain a two per cent swing making the seat more marginal.

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David Southwick and Helen Shardey ... Southwick is tipped to follow in her footsteps. Photo: AJN file

By Dalia Sable

AFTER 13 years as Member for Caulfield, Helen Shardey has announced she will resign from her position at the next state election, with political aspirant David Southwick believed to be the favourite to replace her.

Southwick would not discuss his intentions when contacted by The AJN, but a source revealed he was likely to nominate for the seat of Caulfield. Shardey did not identify a potential replacement for her electorate, but said she welcomed nominations for preselection.

It was “important for the party to have a representation of the community nominating”, she said. “Whoever is chosen, I will give that person all my support.”

Southwick unsuccessfully challenged Michael Danby in the federal seat of Melbourne Ports in 2004, with Shardey one of his staunchest supporters.

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