Windermere Ward councillor to quit

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 this week.

Cr Grzybek’s decision to quit means her seat on the council will probably be filled by a countback for the seat, with Socialist Alliance candidate Sarah Hathway next in line in terms of first preference votes.

In a statement posted on her Facebook page earlier today (Monday, May 29), 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 prefences votes, respectively, with Ms Hathway third with 15.81 per cent.

Ms Hathway has been a member of the Socialist Alliance since 2012, and has stood as a candidate for the party at previous council and state elections, including last year’s Victorian election.

In her responses to this newspaper’s candidate questionnaire ahead of the 2022 Victorian election, Ms Hathway stated she had lived in the Norlane/Lara area for more than four years.

“The top issues for the Lara district are cost of living pressures, housing affordability and access to health and mental health services.”

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.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my fellow Councillors, the staff at the City, and all the groups and members of the community I have worked with in my time on the Council, and wish everyone the best for the future.”

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.