November 2024 Council meetings
Hobsons Bay
By Josie Vine
Each of our newly-minted councillors took centre-stage and indicated the style we can expect from their civic service over their four-year term.
Cr Kellander, on her second term-of-office, said she was “dedicated” to “continuing the hard work that we have started.”
Cr Grima said when she and Cr Kellander initially joined Hobsons Bay Council almost five years ago, each “just had” a “bambino.”
New Councillor, Cr Rayane Hawli said some of the most “meaningful moments” of her campaign was hearing that young people, “especially girls”, aspired to become part of civic life.
Cr Paddy Kees-Macpherson, on his first term of office, said his “commitment” throughout the campaign was to “fight for a fair share” for “our” suburbs.
Cr Kristen Bishop said she would “make sure” that those who feel they don’t have a voice “can speak through me.”
Cr Lisa Bentley said her “intention” was to “work hard, listen and do whatever is necessary to be the voice of the people.”
Cr Michael Disbury said he would “prioritise” local issues over state, federal or global “agendas.”
Oh yeah, nearly forgot. Two nights later Cr Daria Kellander was elected unopposed as Mayor and Cr Rayane Hawli was elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor.
Brimbank
By Josie Vine
Meanwhile, two women took the helm at Brimbank council last month.
In front of a distinguished gallery, including former Mayor Bruce Lancashire, Cr Thuy Dang was elected Mayor and Cr Victoria Borg was elected Deputy Mayor unopposed and unanimously in the November meeting. Cr Dang is a former refugee from Vietnam, and Cr Borg moved to Australia from Malta in 1972. In her acceptance speech, Cr Dang paid tribute to her late parents in Vietnamese.
“Thank you for bringing me to a free country, always encouraging me to study, be kind and give back to Australia,” she said.
Cr Borg accepted Cr Ranka Rasic’s nomination as Deputy Mayor. But there was an awkward silence as new councillor, Joh Bauch, put up Cr Maria Kerr for the position. Cr Kerr declined the nomination, leaving the way for Cr Borg to be voted in unopposed.
Crs Dang and Borg will serve as Mayor and Deputy Mayor for 12 months.
Maribyrnong
By Ruby Fox
After two years of assembling in the Council Chamber in Braybrook Community Hub, this month’s meeting was held in the Footscray Town Hall.
With almost all Maribyrnong councillors already sworn in, the focus of the meeting was squarely on the Mayoral election. And it was a nail-biter between a seasoned old-hand and one of our newest recruits.
Cr Meredith nominated seasoned councillor, Cr Thomas. Cr Lam nominated new-kid-on-the-block Cr Tiwari. Each nominee was allowed five minutes to persuade their colleagues to vote their way.
Cr Thomas said she’s “thrown everything” into her council position. “Meeting with residents, supporting their advocacy, developing policy and pushing the policy and strategy agenda to be as socially and environmentally just as we can be,” she said.
Then Cr Tiwari took to the floor. “I’ve voted for a change in this council and I’d be proud to lead that change and be a part of that change,” he said.
Cr Tiwari must have been convincing, because he narrowly scraped in four votes.
Wyndham
By Jack Sutton
Councillors, old and new were gathered in the chamber to present to the public the fresh faces representing them for the next four years and, most importantly, to vote upon the new Mayor and Deputy Mayor…
Cr Josh Gilligan and Cr Susan McIntyre had some parting words for Cr Jennie Barrera, who just completed her 12-month term as Mayor, praising her for her “extraordinary work around the community” and how it was a “privilege” to work alongside her.
Cr Barrera, who will continue to serve in the chamber, said it was an “incredible honour” to serve this community as Mayor, which drew a lengthy round of applause from both the councillors and the gallery watching on.
Then the moment everyone was waiting for, the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Led by Council CEO Stephen Wall, the process began by calling for nominations among the councillors, Cr Barrera started off by casting her vote for Cr Mia Shaw, who accepted the vote and Cr Singh followed suit.
Cr Robert Szatkowski voted for Cr Peter Maynard, to which Cr Maynard himself, both seconded and accepted the vote, which is “absolutely expectable” according to CEO Wall.
Cr Shaw received an absolute majority of seven votes, which crowned her as the new Mayor of Wyndham City.
The Deputy Mayor vote started off with Cr Szatkowski nominating Cr Zhao, Cr McGuire nominating Cr Gilligan and Cr Maynard nominating Cr McIntyre.
Cr Gilligan also received an absolute majority and for the second year in a row, was named the Deputy Mayor of Wyndham City.
A Council is only as good as the people who get involved!
Hobsons Bay City Council
Visit hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Council/Council-Meetings for more information..
Maribyrnong City Council
Visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/About/Council-and-committee-meetings for more information.
Brimbank City Council
Visit brimbank.vic.gov.au/council-meetings for more information.
Wyndham City Council
Visit wyndham.vic.gov.au, About Council, for more information.
