Prealene Khera
Whittlesea council has entered a “new era” of governance with Kirrip Ward’s Aidan McLindon elected as mayor for the 2024-25 term — making him the first to take on the role since 2020.
Cr McLindon will serve alongside fellow independent candidate, Bundoora Ward representative Daniela Zinni, who is set to step in as the deputy mayor for the 12 month period.
Both councillors were elected into the leadership roles at the Whittlesea council meeting on November 19, with each securing a seven-vote majority.
For Cr McLindon, as he readies himself to steer the organisation through a transitory period, being mayor is an opportunity to do the basics brilliantly.
“That’s the will of the people,” he said. “I think that this team can continue the great work that the administration has done in the last four years.
“One thing that I want to make sure that we (councillors) always remember is that [we’re here] to be servants of the people and not to be served upon.”
With two municipal monitors keeping a watchful eye on proceedings for the next year, Cr McLindon believes it’ll assist in keeping the council on the “straight and narrow” until the “training wheels are off”.
“It’s very welcoming support that we can receive,” he said.
“We need to be guided because there’s a lot of legislation that we have to adhere to — so they’re extra resources we need to ensure that in the first 12 months we can get it right because that will carry on to the remainder of the three years.”
While he was elected with overwhelming support, Cr McLindon only received seven of the votes. Cr Lawrie Cox was the other councillor to nominate.
According to the new mayor, he will strive to build a united front in the coming months
“When I work with my councillors, I see not just the councillor sitting there, but the 25,000 people who have placed their trust in them,” he said.
“There’s huge challenges ahead but I think we’ve got a great team that’ll work in unity to ensure the city gets the best outcomes.”
Cr Zinni, who was the preferred candidate over councillor Deb Gunn for deputy mayor, reiterated the mayor’s message and said she was excited to support and improve the community’s well-being.
“I’m going to be focusing on families, children and the aged citizens of our municipality,” she said.
The recent appointments come five years after council’s last mayor, Emilia Sterjova, was elected — following which the entire council was dismissed in March, 2020.
The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 17.
