Ajay Mishra for Lockwood Ward
About Me
Authorised by Ajaykumar Mishra, PO Box 136 Marong VIC 3515
My name is Ajay Mishra, and I am your independent candidate for the Lockwood ward by-elections (incorporating the suburbs of Ironbark, Long Gully, Maiden Gully, Myers Flat, Leichardt, Wilsons Hill, Shelbourne, Lockwood and Marong). I am seeking your vote and support for the by-elections.
I have been a Bendigo resident for over 10 years, and I call Bendigo home with my wife, who is a childhood educator with the YMCA. We are a young family, with a 9-year-old attending Victory Christian College and a 4-year-old attending Kangaroo Flat Kindergarten.
I started my journey with Bendigo Bank as a Senior IT Solution Architect with over 17 years of experience. I hold various IT certifications and am an expert in Portfolio and Project management solutions. Over my professional journey, I have worked across health, banking, finance, telecommunications and construction sectors.
I am an active volunteer with several local organisations, contributing positively to the local community. For example, I am the current President of the Y-Service Club Bendigo, serving the community through various initiatives, such as Community Christmas meals, providing funding support to local organisations, including YMCA Victoria, Bendigo Youth Choir, Smiths Family and OTIS Foundation. I have also been a volunteer with the Eaglehawk Community House, Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Regional Advisory Council, Indian Association of Bendigo, Australian Red Cross Bendigo Blood Donor Centre, Bendigo Foodshare, and Bendigo Umpires Association with AFL Central Victoria.
Recently, I actively supported emergency services during the Harcourt bushfires with food relief.
Being an avid sportsperson, I enjoy playing cricket. I am currently playing with the Bendigo Cricket Club. Prior to this, I was with the United Cricket Club.
I have been involved with Marong Cricket Club in organising the Australia-India Local T20 Cricket competition, where we hosted a cricket team from India, Hisar, to participate in the tournament.
You can click on WinTV link to see full coverage.
I am committed to listening to the residents and actively responding to their needs. I want to ensure that our young people thrive and that the City creates opportunities for our future generations where they are nurtured to grow, play, learn and lead. I will advocate for genuine community partnerships with the Council and work towards a safer community for all.
Petition for public transport (bus service) to Marong.
My Volutneer work
Bushfire Relief 2026
As the president of the Y Service Club Bendigo, I have been working with other community organisations and partners to support volunteers from CFA, SES and other first responders, by providing food, snacks and drinks at various sites, including the staging area at Ravenswood.
So far, we have provided over thousands of meals, soft drinks and water to our first responders.
This is not the start we were hoping for in 2026, and my heart goes out to all the families who have been affected by these bushfires.
I will continue to work for and support the community.
Australia Day Breakfast 2026
It was a privilege to volunteer and contribute to the legacy of the Maiden Gully - Marong Lions club. The club has been providing a free Australia Day breakfast for over 30 years.
One of the event’s highlights was the Australia Day Citizenship Award, including four schools - Maiden Gully Primary School, Marong Primary School, Lockwood Primary School, and Lockwood South.
A big thank you to the Maiden Gully - Marong Lions Club for your continued legacy and for having me as a volunteer.
Y Service Club Bendigo - Community Christmas Meal
As the President of the Y Service Club Bendigo, we hosted a Community Christmas Meal on 21 December 2025.
Delicious meals, along with festive vibes, filled the room, creating some unforgettable memories.
Australia - India Local T20 Competition
As the Captain of Bendigo Cricket Club, we hosted Skyhawks team from Hisar (India) who visited Bendigo in Feb - Mar 2025.
I worked with Marong Cricket Club, United Cricket Club and Bendigo Strikers to curate a T20 Cricket Tournament.
The competition ran for over two weeks (18 Feb - 04 Mar 2025) across various locations in Bendigo, including Ewing Park in Kennington, Silotech Oval in Marong and Shadford Park in North Bendigo.
Pictures are from the Grand Final held at United Cricket Club.
Y Service Club Bendigo, President
I took over as the President of Y Service Club Bendigo.
The Y Service Club of Bendigo has been making a positive contribution to the local community for the last 85 Years. For example, this year, we organised a community Christmas meals program for vulnerable individuals and families, provided program funding support to YMCA Victoria, Bendigo Youth Choir, Smiths Family and OTIS foundation.
Eaglehawk Community House - Christmas Food Drive
I volunteer with the Eaglehawk Community House (ECH) during the Christmas food drive. While the ECH volunteers take a much-deserved break at Christmas, I volunteer with the house, helping with the Food Drive.
Sports Awards
Few of my individual cricketing awards.
Lockwood Ward By elections
Lockwood Ward incorporates the suburbs of Ironbark, Long Gully, Maiden Gully, Myers Flat, Leichardt, Wilsons Hill, Shelbourne, Lockwood and Marong.
There is a postal by-election in the Lockwood ward, following the resignation of Councillor John McIlrath on Monday, 17th November 2025.
By-election Key Dates:
Close of roll: 4 pm Wednesday 14 January 2026. - Voters must be on the voters’ roll by this date to vote at the election
Candidate Information session: Wednesday, 04 February 2026 (06:00 PM - 06:45 PM) - An online information session is for candidates wishing to nominate in the 2026 Greater Bendigo City Council Lockwood Ward by-election. Click here to register
Candidate Nomination opens on Monday, 09 February 2026, and closes on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, at 12 noon.
Ballot packs distributed: Friday, 6 March to Thursday, 12 March 2026. - Ballot packs distributed via post to every person on the voters’ roll.
Close of voting: 6 pm Friday, 27 March 2026. - Ballot papers must be in the mail or hand-delivered to the election office by 6 pm.
Election day: Saturday, 28 March 2026.
Final day for receipt of mailed postal votes: 12 noon Tuesday 7 April 2026. Postal votes must be received by 12 noon to be considered. The election manager will include ballot material if satisfied it was signed by the voter before 6 pm on Friday 27 March 2026 (close of voting).
Latest date all results will be declared: Friday 17 April 2026. The VEC publishes the election results on the VEC website by this date.
My Key Priorities
Better Infrastructure:
Better infrastructure with long term planning will provide people of all ages facilities to stay active, connected and healthy.
The council must ensure that the rate payers get greater value from every investment and provide better sealed/unsealed roads, rubbish and recycling facilities.
I am committed to ensuring our community has high-quality sports and recreation facilities.
We must continue to invest in better recreation precincts with accessible parks, open spaces, parks, restrooms and changing facilities, to meet our current and future needs.
I will work tirelessly to improve integrated transport and public spaces with safe footpaths, bike paths and public transport.
Vibrant Economy
Vibrant economy leads to a thriving community, where our local businesses are supported to succeed.
Bendigo has untapped tourism opportunities to enable economic growth, job security and service industry, but we need to be more targeted.
I want to ensure Bendigo is established as a premium tourism destination.
I will work with our State and Federal representatives to advocate for more events, festivals and sporting tournaments for the City of Greater Bendigo.
I will push with the Council to host more events and festivals which promotes our local arts, culture and businesses.
I will advocate for a stronger and sustainable Bendigo Writers Festival where our local authors are showcased and celebrated.
Affordable Housing
Housing stress is evitable in our local community and people are struggling to manage daily lives.
We must do everything possible to ease the cost of living and expand affordable housing options for the local community.
The council needs to do more to explore freeing up vacant council land to help deliver affordable homes for our community.
We need to explore diversity of housing options with the proposed Managed Growth Strategy and I will ensure that we protect our heritage and natural environment.
I will work hard to ensure the council is prepared for emergencies such as natural disasters and is ready to manage the impact of events like droughts and floods.
I will be a staunch advocate for the residents. As an elected representative, I will lead with care, honesty, accountability, and integrity. I am committed to building a community that cares and celebrates together. I will bring fresh energy and a strong community-focussed vision into decision making, with a clear focus on the needs of Lockwood ward residents. My priorities are strengthening the local economy, easing cost-of-living pressures, preserving our natural reserves and cultural heritage and ensuring our community remains safe, happy and healthy.
In the council chambers, I am your trusted voice.