It’s wonderful to see Malaysians stamping the name of our country’s name everywhere!
The City of Canning has named Malaysian-born Shenjeet Kaur Gill-Sekhon as their New Councillor for the Beeliar Ward. The City of Canning is a local government area in the southeastern suburbs of the Western Australian capital city of Perth. She is likely the first Malaysian Sikh woman to join the city’s local government.
Fondly known as Shen Sekhon, she defeated four other contenders for the short-term vacancy on the council and will serve 10 months in the role. She extraordinarily won this election by replacing the long-standing former councillor Lindsey Holland.
“I am so humbled and proud to call myself the newest City of Canning councillor for the Beeliar ward,” she quoted in her social media after the election. “Thanks to all my volunteers who flyer-dropped and helped me doorknocking,” she added.
“Lastly, but certainly not least, thank you to the 1000+ people who trusted me with their votes. I will not let you down!” – Shenjeet Kaur Gill-Sekhon
A Seremban-born and Kepong Baru-raised Malaysian, Shen Sekhon completed her Diploma in Media and Communications at Limkokwing University and later moved to Australia to pursue her BA in Mass Communications at Curtin Perth in 2003.
She took a job as the marketing and communications manager at Limkokwing University after graduating.
The 42-year-old returned to Perth in 2006 (permanently migrated in 2007) after she met the love of her life, her husband, Harveer who was originally from Klang but has been in Perth since 1992. She then continued to work in the higher education industry for a further 10 years with Curtin University’s International Affairs department and earned her MBA in the process too.
“As soon as my children commenced primary school, I got involved in community service,” she told Asia Samachar.
Shen Sekhon joined the Parent and Citizens Association (P&C) at their primary school and eventually helmed the president position. Henceforth, she was invited to join the school board and she also founded the Culturally and Linguistically (CALD) Women’s Business community organisation aimed at connecting, engaging and empowering the women in her local and wider school community as well as assisting migrant women to integrate into the local community.
This amazing involvement and contribution led her to be involved with the local government through their Cultural Ambassador pilot project; which is aimed at identifying community leaders from the CALD background and assisting in bridging the gap between the city and its diverse communities.
“When the City of Canning’s Councillor role with the local government became vacant, I was encouraged to go for it due to my active involvement with local community groups,” she remarked.
“Having served on boards, managing the P&C (PTA) and community organisations, I would like to give back to society using my knowledge, experience and skills. Volunteering in the community gives me a sense of fulfilment as I grew up watching my grandmother do ‘sewa‘ (selfless service) in the Gurudwara. Being able to have a say in decisions that will impact not only my local ward but the wider City of Canning community motivated me to campaign for the local government councillor seat,” she added.
She highlighted her late grandmother as an inspiration, as well as her parents Sarbjit Singh and Kuldip Kaur for instilling in her the values of hard work and never giving up, and her mother-in-law Parkash Kaur, who always stood by her and supported her.
“And last, but not least my husband, Harry who is my strength and rock alongside my three amazing children,” she wrapped.
Shen Sekhon will represent the Beeliar ward until the general local government election on October 15th.
Congratulations Shenjeet Kaur Gill-Sekhon & all the best for your future endeavours.
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