Sandra Wilson was elected Hobsons Bay mayor on Friday night, with Wetlands ward’s Cr Colleen Gates voted in as her deputy.
The pair, who were both re-elected to serve second terms at the October elections, held the same roles in 2013-14.
Cr Wilson, who represents Cherry Lake ward, replaced outgoing mayor Peter Hemphill, who was elected to Strand ward to serve a sixth term.
Cr Wilson heads a council with two new faces – Strand ward’s Jonathon Marsden who is the first Greens-endorsed candidate elected to Hobsons Bay council, while Michael Grech was elected to Wetlands ward.
The new-look council also includes Cherry Lake ward’s Tony Briffa, who previously served on the council from 2008-14.
Cr Angela Altair was returned to Strand ward to serve a sixth term.
Speaking after the mayoral election on Friday night, Cr Wilson said she loved being part of local government.
“I think we are in a position to provide some of the important glue that keeps our communities vibrant, functional, safe and happy places to be,” she said.
“Though we all know that we get our fair share of criticism, and we constantly need to listen to feedback, find ways to more responsive and use innovative ways to reach people and engage – it can be a challenging environment.
“I think we all recognise that we are moving, if indeed we haven’t already moved, into very different times, where trust in institutions, organisations, government, and especially politicians, is at low ebb.
“But I still think we have the potential to do it best and better at local government level.
“There are opportunities for making a difference every day, and while in this very privileged role, we must seize every chance to make a positive difference.”
Cr Wilson joined 28 women elected as mayors across Victoria to date, with more mayoral elections to come.
