Prince elected mayor in watershed moment for council

BENDIGO’s freshly minted mayor, Cr Thomas Prince, has barely had a moment to catch his breath since being elected unopposed last week.

The Lake Weerona Ward representative, who grew up just across Bendigo Creek from the lake, replaces the much-admired Cr Andrea Metcalf who served four terms as mayor.

Just hours after his appointment Cr Prince was already out and about, visiting the North Bendigo Recreation Reserve early the next morning before mixing it with delegates at the 2025 National Local Roads, Transport & Infrastructure Congress Dinner later that evening.

“It was a hectic first day, which was nice because I just got straight into the works of things, hitting the ground running,” he said.

“It’s important to stop and reflect on the achievement, but at the same time, it’s also easy to get caught up in congratulations.

“For me, it was more focused on myself than I’d like, (so) it’s been nice to be able to jump straight into things and focus on what the job’s about, and that’s the community.”

Cr Prince said his background in hospitality, where he discovered an ability to forge relationships with people from all walks of life, combined with his parents’ encouragement to “give back” to the community, was what initially drew him to local politics.

“I suppose when you combine all of that together, connecting (with) people and also serving the community, council seemed like a logical place, especially when I love the people here and I love the (town),” he said.

Reflecting on the person he replaced, Cr Metcalf, the first-time civic leader said he believes her legacy “epitomises what you’d love to see from a councillor and a mayor.”

“Her support and encouragement has been amazing – for me, that’s a good example of how she’s performed her role for a long time,” he said.

“She advocates really, really genuinely and quite hard on (different) issues and she’s always on the front foot, making sure things are done the right way.

“She holds Council staff and the CEO to account but always in a respectful and professional manner.

“I think she’s supported and represented the community really well.”

Casting his gaze towards the next twelve months, Cr Prince said he plans, in his first term as mayor, to change things up a tad.

“Councils evolve and this one will be somewhat different,” he said.

“The hard part is, without having an example of what that difference looks like, it’s a bit of a make it up as you go (scenario).

“You’re going to test different things.

“With engagement, having a younger person (as mayor), perhaps that opens up opportunities where we’re engaging and enlightening the community (better).

“By being approachable, by trying to create that connection, I think that will build up trust.

“When people feel connected to their community and their Council, I believe we’ll achieve stronger results.”

Contact Cr Prince directly via [email protected].