The City of Greater Geelong has its third new councillor for 2023, following the election of social worker, actor and climate advocate Elise Wilkinson.
The Barwon Health worker replaces former mayor Stephanie Asher who resigned in July after an unsuccessful tilt at federal politics for the Liberal party.
Ms Asher’s departure triggered a Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) countback to decide her replacement and after being named as the winner of that process on Monday (August 28), Ms Wilkinson has today been confirmed for the Bellarine Ward vacancy.
Her elevation to council will bring a renewed focus on the city’s environmental policies, given she initially campaigned for the role in 202 among an alliance of candidates running under the Put Climate First banner.
“Australia has the one of the highest greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the world; and Geelong Council is the biggest regional council in Victoria,” she said at the time.
“This means every decision we make – here – will either increase global warming or reduce it.
“We have enormous responsibility and power, when we put climate first…our council needs change.”
Ms Wilkinson’s election follows that of Socialist Alliance member Sarah Hathway, who replaced Kylie Grzybek in June, and the Labor alligned Melissa Cadwell who replaced Green Sarah Mansfield in January after her elevation to state parliament as the Member for Western Victoria.
