WEDNESDAY, 20 MAY, 2026
One podcast, many journeys Imran Abul Kashem’s new podcast, My Migrant Soul, is about shining a light on the journeys of those who make Wyndham what it is. Growing up in Bangladesh where his first career was as a journalist, he moved to Australia in 2008, calling Werribee home since 2015. My Migrant Soul is a long-form interview series where he speaks to migrants from all backgrounds and invites them to share their journeys, their struggles, their turning points, and their wins. “I wanted to create a space where those voices could be heard properly, not just in Wyndham, but everywhere,” he said. “The show features real, honest conversations with migrants from all different backgrounds who have started over in a new country and found a way forward. “If even one person listens and feels seen, feels less alone in their journey, then it is all worth it.” Each of the 50 episodes are accompanied by a written blog post, and he intends to write a book out of the content. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and across social media. Imran Abul Kashem has a new podcast about migrant journeys to Wyndham and Australia. (Damjan Janevski). 553015_03
Singh saga rolls on By Jaidyn Kennedy Wyndham mayor Preet Singh’s future as a Justice of the Peace (JP) is on the line with an investigation underway following a complaint against him. Star Weekly has seen emails confirming that the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is investigating whether Cr Singh should be dismissed as a JP. It is understood in the event a JP is under investigation, they may be suspended from their role. The saga began on 30 March, when it was revealed that Cr Singh wrote a character reference for a paedophile in 2024, prior to being elected to council.
Signing the letter as a JP, Cr Singh provided the character reference for Kashyap Patel, who faced the County Court in August 2024 on child sex offence charges. Patel pleaded guilty to multiple offences and was sentenced to nine months’ jail September 2024. The embattled councillor has refused to relinquish the mayoral role despite seven weeks of pressure from residents and his council colleagues. The controversy has led to the resignation of Jennie Barrera from council, with Dr Barrera telling council chief executive Stephen Wall on 1 May that “the current situation at Wyndham City makes it untenable to continue in my role as councillor”. The state government appointed
municipal monitors to the council to help “restore the Wyndham community’s confidence in their councillors”. More than 100 people gathered outside the Wyndham Civic Centre in Werribee on Monday 18 May for a fourth community protest during which attendees called for him to stand down. John Weiss, who has organised a previous rally, spoke at the protest on Monday night. “He cannot continue to speak for a community and a council that has called upon him to stand down which was supported by calls made in both the state and federal parliaments,” Mr Weiss said. Werribee MP John Lister and Western Metropolitan Region MP Moira Deeming were among the politicians to calls for Cr
Singh’s resignation last week. “Cr Singh, you should really read the room, reflect on those calls by your fellow councillors and by community members and resign,” Mr Lister said. Ms Deeming said, “The reference itself was disgusting … none of the other councillors want him there, one councillor has resigned in protest and the community have been protesting over and over”. Lalor MP Joanne Ryan joined in the chorus from Canberra. “Despite community concern being expressed through petitions and protests, he insists is a victim of politically motivated attacks. This is ridiculous … he should resign.” Cr Singh was contacted for comment.
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