“I am proud to lead one of the most culturally diverse areas in this country and I will strive to ensure that our growing community continues to flourish,” she said.
“You can expect from me and my fellow councillors that we will continue to lead a council of substance that delivers tangible improvements.”
Mayor Lake assured the community that the council would continue its strong focus on actively encouraging community participation in decision-making through open meetings, public forums, advisory committees and workshops.
“Community engagement in planning for our future has been a hallmark of this council,” she said.
She also welcomed Cr Ola Hamed as the council’s new Deputy Mayor.
“It’s great that Cumberland now has its first Muslim woman Deputy Mayor,” she said.
“We see around us in this area many women of Islamic faith in leadership positions working to improve the lives of our local people. Cr Hamed, a true Granville local, is one of them and I look forward to us working closely together.”
Cr Hamed said it was an honour and privilege to be elected as Deputy Mayor.
Congratulating the Mayor on her re-election, Cr Hamed said that as a duo it sent a strong message to girls and women that they too could aim high and aim for leadership positions.
Cr Paul Garrard was the only other councillor to nominate for the Mayor’s position, as was Cr Michael Zaiter who stood for Deputy Mayor. Both were narrowly defeated.
Cr Joe Rahme said it was good to see someone from the Granville ward become Deputy Mayor and “hopefully that is a step in the right direction – to not only improving the Cumberland LGA but channelling even more resources into Granville”.
He said there were many incidents in the chamber that he didn’t see eye to eye with Cr Hamed “but that’s just done in the realms of us trying to represent our constituents and the fact that we both very passionate councillors trying to do what’s best for our voters”.
“Congratulations to you both,” he said.
