New Hume Mayor Joseph Haweil is taking on many of the lessons he learnt in his first four years as a councillor as he leads a new look council.
Haweil, who is serving his second term on council, was unanimously elected as mayor on November 12, becoming the second-youngest Hume mayor.
He said becoming mayor was something that he had aspired to and allowed him to expand his role as a councillor.
“It’s very exciting and it comes at a really challenging time obviously with COVID,” he said.
“I’m excited that restrictions are being eased and we’re moving in the right direction. I plan to be quite active and get out and about to as many events, functions and meetings as I can, and get to know people and listen to people as well.
“I think being mayor gives you that little bit more time as a full-time role and an opportunity to do other things, not only strategic, but as the public face of the organisation.”
Cr Haweil is one of six returning councillors on the new council.
He said former mayors Goeff Porter, Ann Potter and Drew Jessop, who are no longer on council, were his role models.
He said he was glad he had the opportunity to work with them and absorb as much information as he could.
“I got on in 2016 and I had a lot of different ideas and have been able to put through some of those things.
“I learnt that you have to be patient. You come in and think that you can change the world and do everything over night and you realise that the government has a process.
“I also learnt to pace myself… there’s an element of resilience, as local government is the closest level of government to the people, people see you, you live in the community.”
Cr Haweil said he would continue to push and advocate for things that were important to him, including greater infrastructure to help with the growth, especially in the Craigieburn area.
He said he would continue to champion for things like social justice and reducing gambling harm.
He is also passionate about mentoring and providing opportunities for young people.
“There’s a reputation for local government to be old, frail and stale and you would have heard that in the past and I don’t think that it has to be.
“It’s about ongoing advice, mentorship and guiding. Once I’m gone … they’ll have the knowledge, background and skills to continue the job.”
Cr Haweil hopes that his appointment as mayor will inspire other people to dream about being part of something bigger.
“My dad came here as a refugee. He got his very first job working at the Ford Broadmeadows plant on the production line.
“Coming from a background where there was human rights abuse and persecution…you didn’t think that this is something that would happen for your family.
“There’s the spirit and opportunity that Australia presents to everyone whether migrant or not.
“I think people can make a meaningful contribution in the community that we live… it’s important to have people who look like me, look like you, speak like you or come from a similar background to me in positions of leadership.
“It provides that inspiration.”
