Solway Ward Councillor

Profile

Cr John Friend-Pereira lives in Ashburton with his family (two young children). He was first elected to represent Solway Ward in 2024 and is committed to ensuring Boroondara remains a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable municipality. 

His focus is on balancing the delivery of well-planned housing, environmental sustainability, strong community services and responsible financial management, while preserving the qualities that make Boroondara a great place to live.

Cr Friend-Pereira brings more than 20 years of experience across public policy, international development and not-for-profit governance. He has worked in Australia and internationally in senior policy, program management and governance roles, including with UNICEF, where he managed major education reform and capacity-building programs. He currently serves as Deputy Chair of SeeBeyondBorders Australia.

He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) International Law from the University of Galway, Ireland. He has also completed a range of professional governance and leadership qualifications, including the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors Course, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Community Directors Australia. He has completed additional professional development courses in infrastructure asset management, governance, and strategic leadership.

Council committees

• Chair, Our Environment Advisory Committee
• Chair, Social and Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
• Transforming Boroondara Project Steering Committee
• Greenways Advisory Committee
• Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee
• Vibrant Shopping Precincts Advisory Committee
• Reconciliation Advisory Committee
• Governance Advisory Committee
• Audit and Risk Committee 
• Services Delegated Committee
• Urban Planning Delegated Committee

Appointments

• The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) delegate

Community involvement

In addition to his Council responsibilities, Cr Friend-Pereira is Secretary of the Rotary Club of Boxhill-Burwood and is Justice of the Peace volunteering at Ashburton Community Centre Center. 

History of Solway Ward

Possibly named after a Scottish firth, and the name given to Camberwell's post office in the southern part of the former Waverley Golf Links estate.

In the 1890s, a long timber bridge extended the railway over Gardiners Creek, similar in appearance to a bridge across the original firth. The Education Department acquired some of the land in 1929, and opened Darling East Primary School in 1950.

The school was renamed Solway in 1956, according to the wishes of the Postmaster-General's Department.

The railway terminated at Ashburton for many years, but was extended to Alamein Station for the government housing developments. The housing was built after World War II on an area popularly known as Ashburton Forest.

Map of Solway Ward