Councillor Diana Grima will serve as Hobsons Bay mayor for the next 12 months after being elected to the role at a meeting on Friday 14 November.
Cr Grima and outgoing deputy mayor Rayane Hawli contested the role, with the Altona ward representative winning with an absolute majority.
Outgoing mayor Daria Kellander and Crs Michael Disbury and Lisa Bentley voted in support of Cr Grima, while councillors Paddy Keys-Macpherson and Kristin Bishop supported Cr Hawli.
Supporting the new mayor will be Cr Bentley, with the Williamstown ward representative elected deputy mayor over Cr Keys-Macpherson, with votes going along the same lines as the mayoral election.
It is Cr Grima’s first term as mayor, having twice served as deputy mayor since first being elected to council in 2020.
Her father John Hogg also served as deputy mayor in 2012.
“I am deeply humbled. I am grateful,” the new mayor told the chamber after being elected.
“I want to acknowledge my colleagues who I want to be united and work really hard because it’s all for the community.”
Cr Grima thanked her family for their support, including one of her children who she said was having spend their birthday at a council meeting.
The new mayor also paid tribute to her predecessor, Cr Kellander.
Cr Grima said she couldn’t wait to get started.
“This is a particularly exciting time for our council and community, with a new CEO starting soon and our 2025-29 Council Plan not far away from adoption.”
Cr Bentley said she was proud to have been elected to the role of deputy mayor and looked forward to supporting Cr Grima for the next 12 months.
Having only been elected to council last year, the life-long Hobsons Bay resident said her background as a counsellor and family therapist had already proven beneficial as a councillor and would continue to be as deputy mayor.
“In my time working in mental health and wellbeing, my work has taught me the power of empathy, listening, and practical action, skills that have served me well on council.”
Cr Bentley also acknowledged outgoing deputy mayor Cr Hawli for her efforts during the past year.
