By Oliver Lees
Experienced councillor Carly Moore has been elected as Hume’s new mayor, becoming just the second person, and first female, to be chosen to serve three terms in the municipality’s history.
The mother of four was sworn into the role at a council meeting held last night, where she thanked outgoing mayor Joseph Haweil, her family, council staff and the community.
Cr Moore previously served as the city’s mayor in 2018-19 and 2019-20, before Cr Joseph Haweil assumed the role for the past year.
As a third generation resident of Hume, who has lived in the municipality her entire life, Cr Moore said she was looking forward to getting on with the job.
“I am extremely proud to have been elected as the mayor of Hume city for the coming year.
“There is no greater honour than serving as mayor of the community in which you live, work and are raising your family.
“Our community is important to me. I love living here and I want everyone who chooses to call Hume home to love it here too.”
She said the council’s focus for the next year would be leading Hume’s recovery out of the pandemic.
“In the same week as I take on the role of mayor, we are beginning to open up and I can feel a sense of optimism from our community. It is fantastic to see our community back in our buildings,” she said.
“Our community has endured an unequal burden of loss and suffering throughout the pandemic. Sadly, we lost too many of our residents, we had higher case numbers, significant economic impacts, and longer lockdowns.
“Stimulating our visitor economy and creating jobs must be a key focus of our recovery efforts.
“Currently, the Hume unemployment rate is 12.1 per cent. That’s almost 14,000 residents who are unemployed, and it’s almost double the rate of greater Melbourne at 6.6 per cent. That is unacceptable.”
First term councillor Sam Misho will serve as deputy mayor.
