The City of Stonnington has welcomed Councillor Melina Sehr as the new Mayor for the 2024–25 Council year. This marks Cr Sehr's fifth term as Mayor, after previously serving terms in 2003, 2004, 2010 and 2014. Cr Sehr also served as Deputy Mayor in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Councillor Sehr was elected by her peers unanimously at a special Council meeting on Thursday 21 November 2024.
Cr Sehr, a lifelong resident, born and raised in Prahran was first elected to Council in 2002 and brings decades of local knowledge and experience to the role.
"Thank you to my fellow Councillors for entrusting me with the honour of being the first Mayor of this new Council," Cr Sehr said.
"Every Councillor around this table brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in delivering outcomes for the community at a local and state level, with six already having served as Mayor. Together I know we will achieve great things over the next four years for the community that resoundingly elected us," she said.
Cr Sehr also thanked all the candidates who stood for election, Council staff, the City's residents, her family and former Councillors, including her mentors - the late former Councillors and Mayors John Chandler OAM, Claude Ullin AM and Chris Gahan OAM.
Toorak Ward representative, Cr Tom Humphries was also elected unanimously as Deputy Mayor, following his election to Council for the first time.
City of Stonnington Councillor group photo:
Back row L-R: Cr Kate Hely (South Yarra Ward), Cr Jamie Bell (Tooronga Ward), Cr Meghan Hopper PhD (Como Ward), Cr Steve Stefanopoulos OAM (Wattletree Ward) and Cr Samantha Choudhury (Orrong Ward)
Front row L-R: Cr Sally Davis (Hedgeley Dene Ward), Deputy Mayor Cr Tom Humphries (Toorak Ward), Mayor Cr Melina Sehr (Greville Ward) and Cr Jami Klisaris (Malvern Valley Ward)
