Harwood returns as Geelong mayor as council takes charge

TWO familiar faces have been installed in the top jobs at the City of Greater Geelong.

Bruce Harwood and Peter Murrihy were elected as mayor and deputy mayor respectively by their fellow councillors on Tuesday night.

Both were councillors when the state government sacked the City of Greater Geelong council and replaced it with administrators about 18 months ago, following a recommendation from the Commission of Inquiry.

The 11 new councillors were officially sworn in at City Hall, taking the oath of office and signing the Councillor Code of Conduct in front of family and friends. This was followed by a councillor vote at which Cr Harwood was elected as Mayor and Cr Murrihy was elected deputy mayor, both unanimously.

Cr Harwood has served as a councillor for 13 years and has previously held the position of mayor and deputy mayor.

Born and educated in Geelong, he is a former policeman, is presently the director of a company and is heavily involved with the local community.

He said he was focused on a fresh start, had confidence in the group’s ability and commitment to working well together, and was committed to ensuring all councillors were engaged equally and the community voice was heard.

“I’m honoured to be elected mayor of the City of Greater Geelong and I look forward to representing my council colleagues as key spokesperson.

“As mayor, I’ll be working hard to lead a united, professional and trusted team of councillors that will all be equal decision makers in making Geelong even better.”

The other nine councillors are Anthony Aitken, Stephanie Asher, Kylie Grzybek, Eddy Kontelj, Sarah Mansfield, Jim Mason, Pat Murnane, Ron Nelson and Trent Sullivan.

The council’s return officially ends the tenure of the three administrators, although the state government has appointed Peter Dorling (one of the administrators) and Jude Munro as monitors to oversee the council for the next three years.