The name Gouge Linen and Garment Service is synonymous with cleaning things up. It’s the largest employer in Mooroopna and has made a significant impact on the Shepparton region.
Rob Priestly and his brother Phil have built the family business up over a period of 25 years, taking it from an initial 20 workers to over 320.
With his eye on the expansion and development of the wider community, Rob has decided it is time for him to enter local politics and accordingly, has nominated for the Council elections to be held at the end of October.
A Shepparton boy, Rob grew up in Undera and Katandra on a dairy farm, went to university in Melbourne to study and work in business and international trade before returning to the Goulburn Valley with his family.
Running for Council is his way of giving back.
“It’s a $140M budget and it needs business thinking to help drive it forward. I want to see that revenue is collected fairly and spent wisely. I want to help drive the strategic vision in developing jobs and industry for the region,” he said.
Rob thinks we are ready for the bigger projects that are frequently exported out of the region.
“The value adding should be taking place here, in Shepparton where our produce is grown. Council needs to be driving ahead with planning and the allocation and rezoning of land for appropriate use.”
With an underlying motto of Leadership, Integrity, Progress, Rob’s ambition for the region is large and based on his own history.
“This community has momentum, and there is so much more we can achieve. The right people with the right skills on Council, will help take us all to the next level,” said Rob.
“COVID-19 has been a huge challenge for governments, businesses, employees, families and students. Better times are ahead, but we need people with real skills to get us there.”
Rob’s candidacy adds a new dimension to the Council, offering real business acumen and the ability to help recover from this trying and depressing year.
