After a tumultuous first year as a collective, the City of Whittlesea are hoping for continuity as it enters its second year in its current term following last Tuesday’s Mayoral elections.
Mayor Councillor Martin Taylor, who took over the role in April, initially sought to seek re-election as Mayor, but pulled out of the race, with Councillor Lawrie Cox, a past Mayor in the City of Whittlesea in 2018, nominated for the role, alongside Epping Ward councillor David Lenberg.
Cr Cox was elected with seven votes, voted on by Crs Taylor, Jarrod Lappin, Blair Colwell, Aidan McLindon, Deb Gunn and outgoing Deputy Mayor Daniela Zinni alongside Cox’s vote.
Voting then commenced for the role of Deputy Mayor, and with Cr Zinni electing to stand down from her role, Cr Colwell was nominated for the vote, as well as Councillor Michael Labrador.
Cr Colwell scored six votes from Cr Taylor, Lappin, Gunn, Zinni, Cox and himself to take over the role.
In re-establishing himself as Mayor for a second term, Cr Cox said he was proud of his achievement.
“I’ll start by saying thank you for the confidence in being elected into the chair. The people who have provided that confidence, of course, are the electors of the Ganbu Gulinj Ward, of which I’m the representative,” he said.
“I am a proud person that has been a councillor over a number of years, from time to time, I started back in 1977 when I first moved into the area in Lalor, and in 1979, a fabulous 46 years ago, as a 22-year-old, joined the council in the old bluestone council chamber, which is now the police station.
“In 1982, I became a Shire president, and in 2016 to 2020, I was the South West Ward councillor and the Mayor in 2018.
“Last year has been a difficult year for all of us, but I particularly note Cr Taylor’s leadership as Mayor and Cr Zinni’s role as the Deputy Mayor. You’ve been acknowledged and I intended to do that.
“I’m one of 11 councillors. I’m not here to be the only councillor, or the only person that delivers as part of the City of Whittlesea, I am the first amongst equals, and a Mayor only guides and make sure that we are respectful of each other, but also the community.
“This group has come a long way in that 12-month period, and I look forward to continuing that journey with all of you for the betterment of the City of Whittlesea.”
Cr Cox was looking forward to working collaboratively with the council staff in making key decisions for the community.
“We need to be working respectfully with our staff. They provide advice, it’s not their decision, the advice is given to us as councillors to make decisions. So please tread warily, and that’s something that I will always undertake, to make sure that we respect our staff, and we deal respectfully with our staff,” he said.
Cr Colwell paid respect to the decision-making of the City of Whittlesea when it came time to make a decision on who should serve as its faces.
“I’d like to start by thanking the outgoing Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Councillors Zinni and Taylor for their determined commitment to the role and the groundwork they have laid for the continued success of the Council. They should be very proud of what they have achieved and the challenges they navigated during their tenure, I think they have both done wonderful jobs,” he said.
“I would also like to thank my councillor colleagues for their support, it’s both an honour and a responsibility taking on the role of Deputy Mayor with expectations I humbly to endeavour to live up to and hope to exceed.
“I think I’s fair to say the council has invested considerable contemplation over the decision of the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor, and this is indicative of a healthy and robust decision-making process as councillors consider without grace or favour what is in the best interests of the community.
“It is a strength of our councillor group that we are blessed with so many capable, dedicated and diligent leaders, which means we are well placed for succession and continuity of leadership in the roles in future.”
