Ashleigh Vandenberg vs. Cr Goran Kesic: A Head-to-Head Battle for Jackwood Ward

The City of Melton's local government elections are heating up, and all eyes are on the Jackwood Ward. Ashleigh Vandenberg, running for a second term, finds herself in a direct contest with Cr Goran Kesic, another seasoned councillor. What started as a race with multiple candidates has effectively turned into a two-person showdown, with Vandenberg edging ahead in both public perception and community engagement.

Ashleigh Vandenberg’s Campaign: Grounded in Community

Ashleigh Vandenberg’s campaign centers around accessibility and grassroots connection, a theme she emphasized from the start. Her promise to knock on every door in the Jackwood Ward has become a signature of her campaign, showcasing her dedication to hearing every resident’s voice, no matter how small their concern. Her focus on expanding CCTV coverage to deter illegal rubbish dumping, launching a youth outreach bus, and creating a neighborhood watch program resonates deeply with voters concerned about safety and community well-being.

A quick scroll through Vandenberg's Facebook account reveals a campaign that thrives on real-time interaction with residents. Videos of her engaging with the community, listening to local concerns, and actively participating in street cleanups have been widely shared, with many residents praising her hands-on approach. The campaign posts have garnered high levels of interaction, with residents commenting on how approachable and empathetic she is in comparison to other candidates. This surge in digital engagement is an indicator of growing support.

One of her latest posts featured a video of Vandenberg at a local community event, talking to parents about the lack of support for sporting clubs and youth facilities, a subject she has championed since the start of her campaign. The post attracted hundreds of comments and shares, with residents discussing the critical need for youth programs in the area. Her genuine enthusiasm for the well-being of young people in Jackwood has set her apart from her competition.

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Cr Goran Kesic

Kesic's posts focus on chemtrails, make up giving women cancer, anti climate change, anti vaccine mandates and aggressively targeting Ashleigh Vandenberg which is doing his campaign no favours in this election. His online footprint shows no community engagement inside the ward he want's to be elected in and focuses mainly on using AI to give a presence of support.

While Kesic’s campaign undoubtedly appeals to residents concerned about these critical issues, his posts are not the main core issues which Ashleigh has been able to cut through the BS and hit the target audience.

His posts tend to feel more distant, featuring fewer face-to-face interactions with residents. This has likely contributed to the gap in public perception, with Vandenberg emerging as the more relatable candidate for many voters.

Social Media Engagement: Ashleigh’s Edge

The stark difference in social media engagement between the two candidates could be the deciding factor in this election. On Facebook, Vandenberg's posts have received consistently high levels of likes, shares, and comments, creating a sense of community involvement around her campaign. She regularly posts updates from her door-knocking sessions, thanking residents for their feedback and showing real-time responses to concerns raised. In contrast, Kesic’s posts are more structured around what Ashleigh is raising with significantly lower community interaction.

In one notable example, Vandenberg shared a post about a youth where youth had the opportunity to discuss their thoughts on the future of the ward. The post went viral within the local community, racking up hundreds of shares and prompting a broader discussion among parents and youth on how to improve the area. Kesic, though active on social media, hasn’t produced posts with the same level of resonance. His content is focused on conspiracy theories, but it often fails to spark the kind of emotional response that fuels grassroots support.

Two Different Campaigns, One Clear Lead

As the election date draws nearer, it’s becoming clear that the contrasting styles of these two candidates could be the key to understanding why the race is currently leaning in Vandenberg’s favor. Her campaign is grounded in real-world engagement, amplifying the concerns of everyday residents and positioning her as a candidate of the people. In contrast, Kesic’s campaign, while professional and policy-focused, is less interactive, which could be costing him valuable support among those who are looking for a more personal touch.

Vandenberg's push for expanded CCTV, illegal rubbish dumping prevention, and youth outreach has struck a chord with local voters who feel the issues she addresses are more relatable and immediately impactful. Meanwhile, Kesic's infrastructure-heavy campaign has its merits but may not be as urgent to voters as the quality-of-life issues Vandenberg champions.