In this episode of Bridged By Words, Gary Maas shares his journey from growing up in Springvale as the son of Sri Lankan migrants to becoming the Member for Narre Warren South. He reflects on how music, law and 16 years in the union movement shaped his approach to public service, why opportunity and secure work matter, and what life inside Parliament is really like. As he prepares to leave politics after eight years, Gary offers candid lessons on leadership, community, rest and making the most of the privilege of public office.

In this episode of Bridged By Words, Gary Maas shares his journey from growing up in Springvale as the son of Sri Lankan migrants to becoming the Member for Narre Warren South. He reflects on how music, law and 16 years in the union movement shaped his approach to public service, why opportunity and secure work matter, and what life inside Parliament is really like. As he prepares to leave politics after eight years, Gary offers candid lessons on leadership, community, rest and making the most of the privilege of public office.

How do political commentators influence leadership and shape public debate in modern democracy? In this episode of Bridged By Words, Ethan Urch sits down with psychologist and political commentator Nathan Ogilvie (The Rightest Leftist) to explore how ideas move from conversation to culture — and why understanding people matters as much as understanding policy.

How do you transition from community activism into elected office and stay grounded while delivering real results? In this episode, Victorian MP Bronwyn Halfpenny shares her journey from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union to representing Thomastown—offering a masterclass in practical leadership, constituent service, and infrastructure advocacy.

How do you build a life of experience worthy of public office? In this powerful episode, Nick McGowan, Member for North-East Metro Region, shares his extraordinary 40-year journey from a 16-year-old party member to a United Nations worker in war zones, and finally to the Victorian Parliament. He answers the critical question for any aspiring leader: what value do you bring beyond politics?

How do you transition from leading a business to serving a community—and what do you learn along the way? In this episode, we sit down with Richard Welch, a tech entrepreneur who invented an early form of AI and later stepped into Victoria’s Parliament. Richard opens up about the mindset shifts required, the unexpected rewards of public service, and why listening—not speaking—became his most valuable leadership tool.