Independent councillor Virginia Tachos has been elected Brimbank mayor for the next 12 months.
The third term councillor was elected mayor at a council meeting on Tuesday 25 November, after defeating Cr Katharine Nikolic by six votes to five.
Cr Maria Kerr will serve as deputy mayor for the next 12 months, after the Liberal councillor defeated Cr Duyen Anh Pham also by six votes to five.
Cr Tachos, who will serve her first term as mayor, said she was thrilled, humbled and honoured to serve her community.
“I know that I will do my utmost and work assiduously for the community,” Cr Tachos said.
“I’m not going to shy away from the challenges either because people know that I’ve been very open and outspoken on things like contamination, particularly in my ward, in Kealba.
“Gambling harm is another [issue] I’m really passionate about, and minimising the harm so that our community has the opportunity to thrive.
“Brimbank is entering an energising new chapter, and I’m committed to guiding council to create a more liveable, inclusive and opportunity-ready city.”
Crs Kerr, Joh Bauch, Victoria Borg, Daniel Kruk and Lucy Nguyen voted in support of Cr Tachos, while Crs Pham, Kim Thien Truong, Thuy Dang and Ranka Rasic voted for Cr Nikolic.
Cr Tachos was first elected to council in 2016.
In her speech, Cr Tachos spoke about the experiences that shaped her dedication to public service.
“Growing up in a working-class migrant family shaped who I am. My father, a staunch unionist who tragically lost his life to workplace-related cancer, inspired my lifelong commitment to standing up for people whose voices aren’t being heard,” she said.
“Every part of my journey – from raising a family in the west, to working across the corporate, not-for-profit and disability sectors – has strengthened my commitment to this community I love so deeply.”
On social media, Cr Kerr said she looks forward to serving alongside Cr Tachos.
“…I’m committed to working hard to ensure our community’s priorities are heard,” Cr Kerr wrote.
