Thanks for the trust

AFTER serving the Geelong community as Deputy Mayor since November 2024, I have decided to step aside and give others the chance to serve in this leadership role.

This is not a decision I have taken lightly, and I thank my fellow councillors for the trust they have given me – it’s been an honour.

It’s also been exciting to serve alongside our Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM.

Mayor Kontelj already had experience in the role prior to his most recent election as Council’s leader, having served as mayor from 2001 to 2002 and twice as deputy during his first stint as a councillor from 1998 to 2015.

But a lot has changed in Geelong – and the City of Greater Geelong – since then.

I was pleased to be a sounding board for our newly-elected mayor as he got up to speed with these changes, as I have been a councillor continuously since 2017.

Mayor Kontelj has since hit the ground running with a visionary agenda for Geelong, and it’s been a privilege to witness firsthand his work to drive change.

It’s also been a brilliant learning experience being exposed to a greater depth of council activities and working more closely with our CEO Ali Wastie and council officers.

Perhaps one of the greatest privileges of being deputy mayor has been attending and sometimes presiding over our citizenship ceremonies.

The latest of these was last month, when I welcomed almost 180 conferees from 17 different nations.

It’s wonderful seeing new citizens affirming their commitment to Australia, the values we share and our common future, as our multicultural community continues to grow.

About 18 per cent of the estimated 306,000 people living in Greater Geelong were born overseas in more than 100 different countries.

And nowhere is this rich cultural tapestry more vibrant than Pako Festa – Victoria’s largest free multicultural street party.

The festa has long been a highlight for me, whether I’m speaking formally, as I did last year, or just enjoying the delicious international cuisine, traditional costumes and dance, and the splendour of parade with my councillor colleagues.

I’ve also been privileged to attend the opening of new community infrastructure and to speak on behalf of council at local events, such as addressing Deakin University graduates.

But now I’m stepping down to focus more on my family, my professional responsibilities and my local community in Barrabool Hills Ward.

As I step down, I’d like to congratulate Eddy Kontelj on his appointment as Deputy Mayor.

Helping to steer the City of Greater Geelong – an organisation of more than 2,700 employees – with the mayor and CEO is a big task.

But, having known Cr Kontelj since 2010, I have complete trust that he will do a great job for the people for Geelong and complement his older brother well as deputy.

He’s considered and he knows his community and ward really well. But he also thinks of the big picture for Greater Geelong, which will put him in good stead as Deputy Mayor.

I wish him the best of luck over the next several months, and I look forward to continuing to represent my community in Barrabool Hills Ward to the best of my ability.

Cr Ron Nelson

Barrabool Hills Ward, City of Greater Geelong