Kylie Grzybek quits Geelong council

THE people of the Windermere Ward in the City of Greater Geelong will soon need a new representative, with Cr Kylie Grzybek to resign at the end of today (Friday, June 2).

Cr Grzybek’s decision to quit at close of business today means her seat on the council will be filled by a countback, with Socialist Alliance candidate Sarah Hathway (pictured) next in line in terms of first preference votes.

Ms Hathway has been a member of the Socialist Alliance since 2012, and has stood as a candidate for the party at previous council elections (including for the Windermere Ward in 2020) and state elections.

In a media statement released on Tuesday this week, Ms Hathway said she would oppose the city’s proposed budget cuts to services and that “the policies I ran on in 2020 are still totally relevant”.

“At the time we said we would campaign for a council that provides services, opposes cuts and outsourcing and a council that would demand more support and funding from state and federal governments. And here we are back to the future.

“I am so impressed with how the community has mobilised against the proposed library cuts and the loss of 19 jobs in the Community Life directorate.

“Windermere has many vulnerable people who are already struggling with cost-of-living increases and now to lose more jobs and services, it just seems so wrong.

“I will continue to support the community’s fightback because once we get things back on track, Geelong has a lot to look forward to, including hosting part of the Commonwealth Games.”

In a statement posted on her Facebook page on Monday this week, Cr Grzybek said she decided to step down as a councillor to “focus on my role as a full-time senior executive at the TAC [Transport Accident Commission], and continue to be involved in many community activities, not to mention being a wife and mother of two active boys”.

“It has been a challenge to juggle the three major competing responsibilities in my life – my professional career, my community responsibilities as an elected councillor and my family life.

“It has become increasingly challenging and I can no longer undertake all three to my high expectations, and sadly it is my community representation role that I must choose to vacate to return some balance to my life.”

At the 2020 council elections, Cr Anthony Aitken and Cr Grzybek (the two incumbent candidates) received 38.76 per cent and 22.48 per cent of first preference votes, respectively, with Ms Hathway third with 15.81 per cent.

Cr Grzybek said it was a privilege to represent the people of Windermere Ward.

“There are many highlights in my time as councillor and of particular note was the community campaign that saved Lara from the goat farm. Supporting the Windermere Ward was always the priority.

“I have loved my role as a councillor representing the north of Geelong and the people of the best city in the country.”

Cr Grzybek’s resignation is the second shakeup of local government in less than a month, with Borough of Queenscliffe councillor Fleur Hewitt resigning, effective immediately, on May 19.