Wyndham councillor Adele Hegedich will preside from the mayor’s chair for the first time, while colleague Gautam Gupta will serve as her deputy.
Cr Hegedich, of Harrison ward, was opposed only by outgoing mayor Cr Peter Maynard at Thursday night’s mayoral election, winning with seven votes from fellow councillors to Cr Maynard’s three.
A tearful Cr Hegedich thanked fellow councillors for their support, describing her new role as both an honour and a privilege. “Each of us [councillors] have our differences, but having differences means we bring a unique and energetic passion to this team,” she said.
“In the last year [of this term] I am committed to working with all of you to ensure the needs of our community are met. This will be a fantastic year ahead for each and every one of us.”
She also thanked her friends and family for their support.
Deputy lotto
With Cr Michele Wharrie absent from the vote for personal reasons, the process of electing the deputy mayor was not as straightforward.
Cr Intaj Khan was the only councillor nominated for the job, but a last-minute nomination for Cr Gautam Gupta by Glenn Goodfellow saw the vote drawn, with both nominees receiving five votes.
The mayoralty of Cr Maynard ceased at 6am that morning, meaning he did not have the casting vote. The winner was determined when the unsuccessful candidate drew a ping pong ball featuring the word “defeated”.
Cr Gupta drew the winning ball.
See next week’s Star Weekly for an interview with Adele Hegedich on her new role as mayor.
