City of Greater Bendigo councillors, 2024 to 2028. Back row, from left, Andrea Metcalf, Abishek Awashti, Shivali Chatley, Owen Cosgriff and Thomas Prince. Front row, John McIlrath, Karen Corr, Aaron Spong and Damien Hurrell. Photo: Supplied.
The City of Greater Bendigo has shared their mayor-elect and deputy mayor-elect for the first year of their four-year term.
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The role of mayor will be filled by Cr Andrea Metcalf for the fourth time, having served the city as mayor for three years of the previous council term.
Cr Metcalf is looking forward to once again representing the city and will look to prioritise community input in council decisions.
“It is a privilege to lead the Greater Bendigo community and I am delighted to have this opportunity again and thank my council colleagues for their support. I am also excited to work with Cr [Abishek] Awasthi in the deputy mayor role,” she said.
“Council will soon start developing the next council plan and I look forward to the community being part of this process and helping to shape this important document that guides the work of council and City of Greater Bendigo staff over the next four years.
“It will be necessary that we balance both community expectations with the financial capacity of the organisation and where council does not have a direct role on various matters, that we consider what we can do to best support our community.”
City of Greater Bendigo Deputy Mayor-elect Abishek Awashti and Mayor-elect Andrea Metcalf. Photo: Supplied.
Cr Awasthi will be the first Indian-born representative to take on the role of deputy mayor, and has emphasised the value of celebrating multiculturalism of the city.
“I have lived in Bendigo for more than 14 years and I have loved this community from the first day I moved here from Melbourne,” the first-time councillor said.
“I am passionate about sustainability, enhanced biodiversity, fostering a green urban environment and creating healthy lifestyle opportunities for residents.
“I want to see Greater Bendigo continue to develop into an inclusive and sustainable community, while ensuring we preserve its rich history, celebrate its diversity and promote social equity, and I hope to advocate for continued access to local food security services and affordable housing.
“I am a strong regional advocate and describe myself as optimistic and forward thinking.
“While deputy mayor, I also look forward to growing Bendigo’s credentials as a globally connected regional city by celebrating the many cultures that call it home and promoting the economic opportunities that can be found here.”
The mayor-elect, deputy Mayor-elect and councillor group will be formally sworn-in during a ceremony at their Tuesday, November 26 meeting at Bendigo Town Hall at 6pm.
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