The late Sarah Carter was honoured at a Maribyrnong council meeting on Tuesday night, seven months after the former mayor’s sudden death.
A memorial book featuring community tributes to Ms Carter was presented to her family, while a motion acknowledging her outstanding contribution to the council and outlining possible locations for a permanent memorial, passed unanimously.
Ms Carter’s death last year rocked Maribyrnong where she’d been a councillor since 2007 and served three stints as mayor in 2011, 2020 and 2023.
The-45 year-old, who was also a senior executive with charity, Save the Children, was found dead at her Maribyrnong home on August 6 by her partner Nikhil Roy
Her death was not considered suspicious.
Mr Roy joined other members of Ms Carter’s family in the gallery on March 18 as normal standing orders were suspended to allow for the memorial book to be presented to her mother, Gaynor Morris.
“I’m here tonight with great pride,” an emotional Ms Morris told the chamber after accepting the book.
“She would always say with love and pride, ‘west is best’,” she recalled of how passionate her daughter was about Maribyrnong and the western suburbs.
Ms Morris then thanked council in advance for planning a permanent tribute.
“It’s a great relief to my family that Sarah will not be forgotten for the work she did for the city of Maribyrnong.”
Ms Carter’s family have offered to donate her mayoral robes to the council, one of a number of tribute and memorial options included in a motion that was later moved for debate.
The other options include a contemplation seat on Footscray Wharfe, the new RecWest building in West Footscray and Maribyrnong Community Childcare Centre being named in her honour, and a gender equity category being added to council’s civic awards in recognition of her efforts championing women.
Former mayor and close friend, councillor Cuc Lam, called Ms Carter “an icon.”
“Sarah was a pillar of the community and a role model for women,” Cr Lam said.
New councillor Elena Pereyra said while she didn’t know Ms Carter well, her legacy could be seen in council now having a record five female members.
Deputy mayor Bernadette Thomas praised Ms Carter’s “enthusiasm, her energy, her intellect and fantastic strategic mind.”
The process of naming a memorial after Ms Carter is expected to take between six and 12 months.
