By Tanya Steele
Results are in for the future of Yarra Ranges Shire Council with five councillors re-elected and four new representatives at the table.
Announced officially at the Yarra Ranges Council building in Lilydale on Friday 8 November – the results were announced by representatives of the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) and there were some interesting outcomes in the final vote tally.
19-year-old Councillor Mitch Mazzarella has claimed victory in Melba Ward, bringing a younger voice to the table, while Councillor Fiona McAllister returns and was uncontested for her seat in Ryrie Ward and will now be the council’s only female representative.
Councillor Jim Child, Councillor Tim Heenan, Councillor Richard Higgins and Councillor Len Cox will also return, while fresh faces Councillor Peter McIllwain, Councillor Jeff Marriott and Councillor Gareth Ward round out the new team.
Yarra Ranges Council Chief Executive Officer Tammi Rose said they welcome their new and returning councillors and look forward to building on the strong work of the previous term.
“The business of council can be complex and there will be plenty for our new councillors to learn over the coming weeks and months ahead with staff and experienced councillors on hand to help,” she said.
Following the count of first preference votes, candidate Tim Heenan achieved an absolute majority for Billanook Ward, and Cr Heenan said he wanted to take the opportunity to thank the people of Mount Evelyn and Lilydale for the great opportunity to come back and serve them as their councillor.
“I’m very grateful,” he said.
Cr Heenan garnered just over 56 per cent of the Billanook Ward votes against Wendy Wright.
Three candidates lined up for the job at Chandler Ward but VEC official Greg Shillabeer said following the count of first preference votes, no candidate had achieved an absolute majority.
“A preference distribution was required – after the distribution of preferences, candidate Gareth Ward achieved an absolute majority of those,” he said.
Richard Higgins was declared councillor for Chirnside.
At the close of nominations on 17 September, the number of nominations received was equal to the number of agencies.
“It’s a great honour to be put back in with anybody opposing I don’t know how that happened. Never happened before, but it was a nice feeling,” Cr Higgins said.
“I look forward to working with everybody – new and the old.”
Peter McIlwain was elected to step forward to represent Lyster Wards – running against two other candidates Divesh Sareen and Mick Spruhn.
Melba Ward will see a fresh face this term as Mitch Mazzarella takes the mantle, he is possibly the youngest councillor to serve in local government at 19 years of age.
The final votes were very close between former Mayor Sophie Todorov and Cr Mazzarella.
“Yes, I am 19, but that’s okay,” Cr Mazzarella said.
Cr Mazzarella pulled out on top with 50.48 per cent to former Mayor Todorov’s 49.58 per cent.
”I want to say thank you to Sophie Todorov, the predecessor, our mayor for her service. I look forward to carrying on the fantastic work for her, and I look forward to working with all councillors as we move forward,” he said.
O’Shannassy Ward will see Jim Child return once more after coming out in front of the other candidates with 50.3 per cent of the votes.
Cr Child said he takes his hat off to the other six candidates for putting their hands up to run.
“I think that it really shows that democracy is alive and well,” he said.
Fiona McAllister was declared elected councillor for Ryrie Ward, returning uncontested for her ward.
“I think it has been an incredible journey being part of local government, and every time I step back in, I do still get anxious and nervous. And I said to some of my fellow new councillors, again, it’s a bit like your first day at school, settling in with a new team,” Cr McAllister said.
“Ultimately, I’m really optimistic and look forward to four years where we deliver with the organization great outcomes for the community – investment in things that matter most.”
Councillor Jeff Marriott landed the role in Streeton Ward after running against Sigrid Peterson and said he thought Streeton is probably one of the most iconic wards outside of the Melbourne CBD.
“I look forward to working with all the new councillors and all the previous councillors as well,” he said.
40-year-veteran Len Cox will return once more to serve the Yarra Ranges and the council, representing Walling Ward.
“I’m very pleased to be here again, and I am really very grateful to the voters of Walling Ward for putting me there,” he said.
“I’d also like to congratulate all the councillors that were elected at this in this election.”
The new councillors were sworn into office in an official ceremony on Saturday 9 November 2024 in the Karwarra Botanic Gardens in Kalorama.
