The 2025 Young Victorian of the Year is now the mayor of Maribyrnong too.
Cr Mohamed Semra was elected mayor at a council meeting on Wednesday night, adding to the 27-year-old’s burgeoning list of accolades.
The first term councillor defeated Cr Pradeep Tiwari by four votes to one, after the outgoing mayor surprisingly sought re-election.
Councillors, Bernadette Thomas, Samanatha Meredith, Elena Pereyra and Susan Yengi voted in support of Cr Semra, while Cr Cuc Lam voted for Cr Tiwari.
Cr Samantha Meredith will serve as deputy mayor, after the Greens councillor defeated former mayor, Cr Lam, by three votes to two.
Cr Meredith, replaces fellow Greens representative Bernadette Thomas as deputy.
Born in Sudan and arriving in Australia as a refugee in the early 2000’s, Cr Semra becomes the first Sudanese-born mayor in Victoria.
Growing up in Braybrook, Cr Semra benefited from youth organisations such as the Les Twentyman Foundation and now runs his own youth outreach service, Endeavour Youth Foundation, which led to him winning that state’s top civic honour for young people earlier this year.
The new mayor said he couldn’t wait to get started.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for our city as we continue to grow and evolve,” Cr Semra said following his election.
“It is a privilege to serve such a supportive, inclusive and community-minded city.
“I will lead with accountability, listening, advocating and building trust.”
Cr Semra was considered the front-runner for the role before Cr Tiwari unexpectedly sought a second consecutive term.
“I believe continuity matters,” Cr Tiwari said in explaining his decision to run again.
“The works we have started in advocacy in transparency in economic revitalization in community strengthening deserves to continue with stability and momentum.”
Cr Semra said the outgoing mayor had done “an amazing job”, while making the case for change.
“Next year is pivotal for Maribyrnong,” he said.
“This moment requires leadership that is connected to the levied reality of our residents.”
Cr Tiwari congratulated the new mayor following his election.
Cr Meredith said she was looking forward to working with the mayor and her fellow councillors as deputy and would approach the role with care, passion and empathy.
