Hobsons Bay City Council has elected Cr Daria Kellander as Mayor and Cr Rayane Hawli as Deputy Mayor for 2024/25 as part of a new-look Council.
Cr Kellander and Cr Hawli were elected by Council at a special mayoral election meeting on Friday 22 November 2024.
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.
The election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor follows the swearing-in of a new-look Council on Tuesday 19 November.
Five new councillors, including Deputy Mayor Hawli, will serve for the next four years following local government elections in October.
Cr Kellander and Cr 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.
The recent election featured a different ward structure for Hobsons Bay, with each of the seven councillors representing their own specific ward.
Hobsons Bay City Council 2024-28 councillors
- 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
Quotes attributable to Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Daria Kellander:
"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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Deputy Mayor of Hobsons Bay, Cr Rayane Hawli:
"I am very much looking forward to serving on Council for the next four years to get the best for the community. 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."
