Using the experiences of one’s younger days as stepping stones to make the world a better place is not something many people achieve in their lifetime. For Samantha Ratnam, life’s experiences did just that. While her childhood years spent growing up in Sri Lanka, within a context of political and ethnic conflict, ignited in her a desire for political awareness and action, the experience of volunteering on a soup-van that delivered meals in inner city Melbourne stirred up a deep passion for community work.

Today, she’s managed to combine her passions for social work, politics and the environment in her role as Portfolio Councillor for Social Development and Councillor Responsible for Social Diversity and Reconciliation, and Youth for the Moreland City Council, Australia.

Representing the Australian Greens political party, Samantha was elected to Australian local government in October 2012. “When our political systems work well, life can be peaceful and safe. When it goes wrong, it can be devastating,” she keenly observes.

Samantha and her twin sister were born in England but the family moved back to Sri Lanka in 1979 and lived in Colombo for eight years during which time both sisters attended Ladies’ College Colombo. “I found school quite hard because we had been brought up with English as our first language, but we were in the Tamil medium (as there was no English medium available at that time). While I loved all the extra-curricular activities I was involved in, I feared going to classes because I always felt behind and some of our teachers were not very encouraging. I think this experience made me understand the value of good teaching and what a difference it can make to the lives of young people,” she recalls.

After completing high school in Australia, Samantha entered the University of Melbourne and completed a double degree – Bachelor of Arts (Politics) and Bachelor of Social Work (with honours) and then went on to start a PhD in Sociology which she has nearly completed.  


Why did you decide to enter the Moreland City Council?
Like many other families growing up at that time in Sri Lanka, we had to know what was going on around us and this made me very politically aware. My grandmother was quite an activist and inspired me to stand up for social justice causes. My mother and father really encouraged my brother, sister and I to think deeply and critically. This made me passionate about wanting to contribute to community life and help make positive social change.

I really love volunteer work and throughout University, I volunteered on some really interesting projects that made me want to pursue a career in social and community work. I spent five years volunteering on a soup-van that delivered meals in inner city Melbourne. This was an eye-opening experience that made me realise that even in an affluent society, there are so many people who fall through the gaps and are socially isolated. It’s a different type of poverty, but one that can be so difficult for people.

I became more active in politics about five years ago and have found it a natural extension of my previous social and community work. I joined the Greens because I became increasingly concerned about the government’s inaction on climate change and was disheartened by the major political parties in Australia and their approach to important social issues such as health, education and social welfare. The Greens are the only politically party in Australia that really stand up for a fair and equitable community, and they are the only party committed to environmental action and protection.

What duties come under your purview?
As a local government councillor, you have to balance leadership, representative and governance roles. Local Councils provide a wide range of services to communities such as road, pedestrian and transport infrastructure, community facilities like swimming pools, libraries and maternal child health centres, as well as making sure that community members are connected to each other through festivals, community events, sport and recreational activities. These are just a few of the things councils do. As a councillor, I try to help community members be heard by other councillors, advocate for issues of concern for the community, and help anticipate and plan for what the community may need, not just currently, but also for the future.

Would you like to play a similar role in Sri Lanka?
I often wonder if I would have been involved in politics if we continued to live in Sri Lanka. I am not sure about the opportunities available for people to become involved easily in the political system there, but in Australia, one of the things I love the most about this country is that you can take part if you do care and want to make a difference. I really value my freedom to speak out here. As a Tamil, I am very aware of what being in a minority feels like and how nationalism that discriminates against people can divide communities. I am passionate about ensuring that Australia remains a generous and caring country – and one that does not discriminate against people no matter what their background or circumstance.

You also work in the areas of Social Development, Social Diversity and Reconciliation, and Youth?
In this role, I chair a few committees such as the reconciliation advisory committee, disability advisory committee and interfaith advisory committee. I try to lobby and advocate on issues that come up through these portfolios to make sure that some of the most vulnerable members of our community have access to the services that they need. I am also the councillor responsible for youth. There is a really active socially conscious group of young people living in Moreland, and I hope to help them advocate for the things they would like to see improved in the community.

If you were given a chance to solve one pressing issue in the world, what would it be?
Global warming and climate change – I think it is the most urgent issue facing all countries and needs to be the highest priority on our agenda for change.

What would be an ideal community setting, in your words?
Somewhere that is peaceful and safe, where you know people who live nearby and where there is life and vibrancy. An ideal community for me would also be a place where there are activities and events to participate in –in an atmosphere where people feel connected to each other. I also think the physical surroundings of a community can make a big difference to quality of life. So I love places that have parks, open space and beautiful big trees. We often take these things for granted, but having lived in different countries and very different neighbourhoods, I can relate to a well-planned city improving the quality of life.

Future plans? I am looking forward to the next two years of my term on Council and working in whatever way I can to advocate for the people of my city.
 

Interview by Jennifer Rodrigo

Pics  : Rebecca Newman photography