WODONGA’S youngest ever mayor Lisa Mahood has confirmed she will leave the city’s council at October’s election.
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The former Labor Party Victorian election candidate had been rumoured to be departing council for several weeks.
I am not restanding in October but look forward to continuing to meet and talk with local residents
- Lisa Mahood
Following Border Mail inquiries over that period, Cr Mahood responded via email on Friday.
“I can confirm I am not restanding in October but look forward to continuing to meet and talk with local residents going forward,” she wrote.
Cr Mahood did not state her reason for not nominating for another term.
The Victorian Local Governance Association people and projects manager was elected to the council in 2000.
In 2002 at the age of 31, Cr Mahood became Wodonga’s youngest mayor and the third female leader of the city.
She was mayor until 2006, with the end of her term coinciding with her Labor candidacy for the Victorian electorate of Benambra. Incoming Liberal candidate Bill Tilley defeated Cr Mahood.
Since then, Cr Mahood’s work has included stints advising Labor Party leaders Steve Bracks and John Brumby.
Cr Mahood’s most recent term on council has been low-profile, apart from a controversial trip to South Korea for a social enterprise world forum which cost ratepayers $13,600.
She refused to publicly discuss the experience when she returned to Wodonga.
Cr Mahood joins Rodney Wangman, Mark Byatt and Eric Kerr in leaving the council team elected in 2012.
Meanwhile, the Wodonga Ratepayers Association will host an open forum for October’s election candidates on September 20. The event, at the Wodonga RSL from 7pm, will be held the night after the council’s September meeting.
Association president Ian Deegan will host the gathering, which he expects will run for 1½ to 2 hours.
“It’s an open meeting,” Mr Deegan said.
“We’re sending out invitations to all the candidates at that time to come and answer questions and let people know who they are.
“The three councillors, who are there, are also included.
“We hope a lot of people come along and take advantage of the opportunity.”
Seven newcomers have flagged candidacies: Adam Koster, Veronique Janel, Tim Quilty, Kat Bennett, Brian Mitchell, Peter Smith and Ant Packer.
