The City of Ryde has a new Mayor following the election of Clr Trenton Brown at an Extraordinary Council Meeting held on Tuesday 19 March 2024.
Clr Brown, who was the only nominee for the position and won by seven votes to four, will serve until the 14 September 2024 Local Government elections, at which time the voters of Ryde will choose a popularly elected Mayor.
He replaces Clr Sarkis Yedelian OAM, who announced at the 27 February 2024 Council Meeting that he will retire at the end of this current term.
Clr Brown said he will devote the next six months to meeting the challenges faced by the Ryde community, working collaboratively with his fellow City of Ryde Councillors as well as the State Member for Ryde Jordan Lane and the Federal Member for Bennelong Jerome Laxale, both former City of Ryde Mayors.
"It is my great honour to be elected the first citizen of Ryde and I'd like to thank all of those who have supported me in this endeavour, including my fellow Councillors, he said.
Clr Brown especially acknowledged the support of his wife, who was also very proud of her Grandfather, Sir Kenneth Anderson, and her Great Grandfather, David Anderson who both served as former Mayor's of Ryde Council.
"I'd also like to acknowledge my predecessor, Clr Yedelian, for 20 years of dedicated service to the City of Ryde and its wonderful community."
Clr Brown said that over the next six months he would be focussing on key issues such as the Ryde Civic Centre project, the protection of jobs and growth of employment in the key Macquarie Park Innovation District, and the ongoing provision of social infrastructure such as parks, playgrounds, and sports fields.
"I'm looking forward to working together harmoniously in this chamber to achieve the best outcomes for the people of this great City," he said.
Clr Brown was elected to Council in September 2017. He is a highly qualified financial adviser of more than 20 years standing and is also an active community volunteer, having served in organisations such as Eastwood Heights Public School P&C, the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal organising committee, as well as Co-Founder and Vice President of the Central Eastwood Rugby Union Football Club, amongst others.
In stepping down, Clr Yedelian noted his many achievements, including his terms as Mayor and Deputy Mayor, the provision of free entry for pensioners to the Ryde Aquatic Leisure Centre, the establishment of the Shop Ryder bus service, the negotiation of the Top Ryde Shopping Centre redevelopment, and his receipt of an OAM in 2009 for service to local government and multicultural communities.
"It has been my great honour and privilege to have become City of Ryde's longest serving Councillor," he said.
"I expect to continue working in the local community when my time on Council ends in September, I'll just be wearing some different hats because you never truly step down from a role serving the community."
