Councillor
Stephanie Asher is the City of Greater Geelong’s new Mayor, after she was
elected by her councillor colleagues during Tuesday night’s special meeting at
City Hall.
Cr Asher becomes the 13th Mayor since the formation of the
amalgamated City of Greater Geelong in 1995, and just the second female to hold
the role after Barbara Abley, who served between 2002 and 2004.
Cr Kylie Grzybek was elected as the new Deputy Mayor, joining Cr Asher in an
all-female leadership team.
An Ocean Grove resident, Cr Asher was elected to the council for the first time
in October 2017, receiving the highest percentage of first preference votes in
the Bellarine Ward.
She has chaired the council’s Planning Committee, Submissions Review Panel and
Strategy and Communications portfolio, and represented the council on the
Geelong Regional Library Corporation board, the G21 Environment Pillar and the
G21 Planning and Services Pillar.
Cr Grzybek, from Lara, is also serving her first term as a councillor,
representing the Windermere Ward.
She chairs the council’s Community Health and Safety portfolio and the Women in
Community Life Advisory Committee, and is the council’s delegate to the
Municipal Association of Victoria.
Cr Asher and Cr Grzybek will occupy their positions until the next council
elections on 24 October 2020.
The changeover in leadership is effective immediately.
Mayor Stephanie Asher:
I’m deeply honoured to be elected as Mayor and I couldn’t wish for a more
committed, intelligent and capable Deputy Mayor in Cr Kylie Grzybek. We are
both passionate about getting things done for the smart, savvy and grounded
people of Greater Geelong.Thanks to my fellow councillors for their show of support.
Thank-you to Cr Bruce Harwood for his steady leadership, and calm and measured
manner in the council chamber as Mayor over the past two years. Also to Cr
Peter Murrihy, who has done a fantastic job as Deputy Mayor.
Deputy Mayor Kylie Grzybek:
I
am humbled to be elected as Deputy Mayor by my fellow councillors and to work
alongside Mayor Stephanie Asher.The next year
will be a big one for the council and I’m excited to continue the strong sense
of unity we have had over the past two years.Thank-you to councillors Bruce Harwood and Peter Murrihy for their leadership
as Mayor and Deputy Mayor since the election of the current council. I have
learned a lot from them and will take that knowledge into my role.
Councillor Bruce Harwood (outgoing Mayor):
Congratulations to Mayor Stephanie Asher and Deputy Mayor Kylie Grzybek on
their appointments.Thank-you to Cr Peter Murrihy for his
dedication as Deputy Mayor over the past two years.Thanks also to my fellow councillors for their support during this time, as
well as CEO Martin Cutter, the City’s Executive Leadership Team and council
staff for working alongside me to achieve positive outcomes for the community.
