Steve Herbert is passionate about standing up for Eltham and creating positive change in our local community.
As the State Member for Eltham since December 2002, he has strived to make our local area a better place by improving local schools and staying in touch with our community’s needs.
In that time, Steve has worked closely with local community groups and has advocated strongly for Eltham in the Victorian Parliament. Steve has also undertaken many groundbreaking initiatives for the benefit of local residents, and continues to do so.
These include extensive health awareness campaigns for Prostate Cancer, Organ Donation and Diabetes, as well as a variety of public forums – on public transport, prep parenting, driver licensing, women’s safety and for local students.
Steve’s passion is education. Formerly a teacher, his interest in politics both Australian and international enticed him to become a member of the ALP in 1983.
Later he embarked on a career in the political field, with work in senior advisory roles with both State and Federal Governments, beginning in 1990. He also worked alongside The Hon Lynne Kosky, Minister for Education, providing him with a first hand experience on the intricacies of government, bureaucracy and effective service delivery.
Shortly after his election in 2002, Steve was appointed Chair of the Parliamentary Education and Training Committee, undertaking substantial investigations into ways of improving education outcomes for young people.
Following the Labor Government’s re-election in November 2006, Steve was appointed as the Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment.
In August 2007, Steve was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Education, assisting the Minister for Education, the Hon. Bronwyn Pike and in January 2010 his Parliamentary Secretary responsibilities were expanded to include Skills and Workforce Participation.
Steve has already left a distinct mark on Eltham, championing important projects such as improving our local schools, making Eltham’s sportsgrounds and sports clubs efficient water users as well as improving sports and recreation facilities such as the Eltham Skate Park, Eltham Bowling Club, Eltham Leisure Centre, Greenhills Montmorency Baseball Club, Montmorency Football/Cricket Club pavilion and Eltham Central Park Change rooms.
Steve makes the most of his leisure time; he enjoys Australian Rules football, and as an avid member of the Hawthorn Football Club, attends as many games as he can. Steve also enjoys golf, (although his handicap could be better) and is also a keen freshwater angler. In addition to sport, Steve loves to read and enjoys live music performances. Aside to his passion for education, Steve is interested in conservation and native gardens, as well as bushwalking through our local forests and scrubland.
Steve has two adult children who attend University. He enjoys surfing trips with his son Jack and going to the theatre with his daughter Eliza.