Hobsons Bay City Council has elected Councillor Daria Kellander as Mayor and Councillor Rayane Hawli as Deputy Mayor for 2024/25 as part of its new-look Council.
Councillor Kellander (pictured, left) and Hawli (pictured, right) were elected by Council at a special mayoral election meeting on Friday.
Re-elected to Council for a second term, it is Cr Kellander’s first time serving as Mayor,
having previously served as Deputy Mayor in 2020-21.
“This year sets the foundation and the vision for what we deliver for our community, in
line with what our community has told us they clearly want – a Council that always puts
our community first,” said the new Mayor.
“With a largely new Councillor group being elected, this is an opportunity for this Council
to pave a new way forward together, with a shared commitment to making this city the best it can be.
“I am determined to ensure everyone is heard and respected.
“It is an honour to have been elected Mayor for the next 12 months, and I look forward to
what we can achieve for our community,” she said.
Five new councillors, including Deputy Mayor Hawli, will serve for the next four years.
Councillors Kellander and Diana Grima are the only returning Hobsons Bay councillors, having served on the previous Council from 2020-24.
The 2024-28 Council features the highest representation of female Councillors in Hobsons
Bay history, with five women among the seven Councillors elected.
“I am very much looking forward to serving on Council for the next four years to get the
best for the community,” said Cr Hawli.
“It also gives me great pride to have been elected as Deputy Mayor for the next year, working closely with Mayor Kellander.
“I am proud of my family heritage, and feel privileged to serve on Council and as Deputy
Mayor as the first Lebanese-Australian woman.”
Hobsons Bay City Council 2024-28 councillors are:
- Altona Ward: Cr Daria Kellander
- Altona Meadows Ward: Cr Diana Grima
- Altona North Ward: Cr Rayane Hawli
- Laverton Ward: Cr Paddy Keys-Macpherson
- Spotswood Ward: Cr Kristin Bishop
- Williamstown Ward: Cr Lisa Bentley
- Williamstown North Ward: Cr Michael Disbury.
