Cade Lucas
Hobsons Bay council is about to look very different, with just two existing councillors re-elected for the coming four year term.
Diana Grima and Daria Kellander were the only sitting members to re-contest at last month’s council elections and both were rewarded with comfortable victories.
According to results released by the Victorian Electoral Commision on Thursday, Ms Grima won the Altona Meadows Ward on first preferences, attracting 53 per cent of votes, more than double her nearest challenger, libertarian Liam Roche on 19 per cent.
Unlike Ms Grima, Ms Kellander failed to get more than 50 per cent of first preference votes in Altona ward, though her total of 43 per cent was still well clear of second placed Tim Rippon on 23 per cent.
Ms Kellander easily defeated Mr Rippon and Irene Brown on preferences, securing 50.5 percent, compared to 30 and 19 per cent respectively.
As the only experienced councillors, one of Ms Kellander and Ms Grima is likely to become the next Hobsons Bay mayor.
Joining them on council for the next four years will be seven newcomers to local government.
In Laverton, Labor aligned Paddy Keys-Macpherson secured just under 60 per cent of first preferences to easily defeat Tori Mikula on 40.7 per cent.
In Williamstown, the other two candidate contest was similarly lopsided, with independent Lisa Bentley attracting 57 per cent of first preferences, beating the Greens Ingrid Magtengaard on 42 per cent.
In neighbouring Williamstown North, local businessman Michael Disbury also didn’t require preferences, attracting a primary vote of 54 per cent, more than 30 per cent ahead of second placed independent Alex Ansalone on 23 per cent.
Spotswood was the most tightly contested ward, with community advocate Rosa McKenna securing 26 per cent of first preferences, ahead of surgeon Omar Baarini on 24 per cent and independent Kristin Bishop on 21 per cent.
After the distribution of preferences though, it was Ms Bishop who prevailed, winning 53 per cent to Ms McKenna’s 47 per cent.
In Altona North, lawyer Rayane Hawli defeated real estate agent Alexandra Damasoliotis on preferences, 54 per cent to 45 per cent, having also secured the most first preference votes.
Five of Hobsons Bay’s seven sitting councillors, including outgoing mayor Matt Tyler and former mayors Peter Hemphill, Jonathan Marsden and Antoinette Briffa, didn’t seek re-election.
