By Casey Neill
It was standing room only in the Greater Dandenong Council chambers to see councillors unanimously support Jim Memeti’s bid to serve as mayor for a third time.
“I promise to lead this council with sincerity and vigour,” he said at the council’s annual statutory meeting on Thursday 10 November.
“I am sure that we will work together to achieve the best possible outcomes for our diverse communities and residents.”
The meeting was the council’s first since the 22 October local government election.
Councillor Memeti was one of nine re-elected councillors to take their oath of office for the four-year term alongside two first-time representatives.
He moved to Australia with his family when he was two years old and settled in Greater Dandenong, where he’s remained for more than 40 years.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunities this city has given me,” he said.
Cr Memeti was first elected to serve Red Gum Ward in 2005.
“I have seen the strengths of this city come to life and flourish,” he said.
“I have also seen where we can do even better.”
He thanked Cr Heang Tak for his service as mayor over the past 12 months.
When he accepted the position a year ago, Cr Tak’s wife, Manette, was due to give birth to their son Mason and missed the meeting.
This time, she accepted flowers with Mason in her arms and first-born Lawson by her side.
“Greater Dandenong has provided me with life experience that, as a young man from Cambodia, I could only dream of,” Cr Tak said.
“No matter what the future holds, I will look back on the past year fondly and with pride.”
New Silverleaf Ward councillor Zaynoun Melhem was four years old when his father served on the former City of Springvale council.
Melhem senior was part of the Springvale-Dandenong amalgamation, was elected to the new City of Greater Dandenong in 1997 and served as mayor in 2000.
“I’ve known a lot of these councillors since I was five years old,” he said.
Cr Melhem grew up in Greater Dandenong, met his wife at Nazareth College and lives in the ward he represents.
“We have such a great responsibility to our community,” he said.
Cr Maria Sampey said: “I think your family’s looking forward to little Zaynouns that might be elected in years to come.”
Greater Dandenong’s other fresh face, Paperbark Ward representative Tim Dark, said to Cr Melhem: “I was worried I might be the only one under the age of 30 on council.”
Cr Roz Blades said she was in her ninth term “with the same passion and commitment that I had in my first”.
Lightwood Ward’s Cr Sean O’Reilly said there was only one thing better than being elected.
“And that’s being re-elected.
“It means that some people think I’m doing a good job,” he said.
