Mitcham Carols reinstatement decision could rest with a councillor currently in hospital
The reinstatement of Mitcham’s Carols by the Creek event could be left to a man who had a triple heart bypass just 10 days ago.
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The one councillor who missed the controversial vote to cancel Mitcham Council’s Christmas Carols is prepared to leave his hospital bed after a triple heart bypass to see the decision overturned.
Councillor Andrew Tilley was still in hospital on Monday, recovering from lifesaving surgery when contacted by The Advertiser, but said he would do all he can to be in the council chamber on Tuesday night.
“I am keen to appear and support the rescission motion,” Cr Tilley said.
“However I’m still recovering and not yet out of hospital.
“My bypass went great but a lung collapsed and caused other issues.”
Cr Tilley said he would further seek to amend the motion to reinstate the Carols by suggesting the event be moved, from Hawthorn to higher up Brownhill Creek to the Mitcham Reserve as a “further respect to tradition”.
Mitcham has attracted national attention over its vote last week to cancel its Carols By The Creek night that has run for more than two decades and cost $51,000 last year.
The Advertiser was able to contact nine of the 12 councillors who last week voted 7 to 5 to discontinue the event – with arguments that included the event was “too expensive” and “too religious”.
Councillor Adriana Christopoulos, who pushed for the special meeting of council, asked elected members to “reflect on community comments” and change the “very poor decision”.
“I hope that my fellow councillors have the opportunity to reconsider this decision and listen to our community and support this event in 2019,” she said.
Two councillors – Dave Munro, who voted against cancelling the carols, and Jane Bange who raised the initial motion and voted in favour – will likely be absent from the debate, leaving a maximum of 11 to decide the Carols’ fate.
Under the Local Government Act, councillors are not permitted to make up their mind before the debate has taken place, but three have indicated they could change their vote to support reinstating the event.
Councillor Corin McCarthy, who voted for the cancellation, spoke for several members saying he “made a mistake on the night”.
Councillor Jasmine Berry, who also voted for the cancellation, said there was one “silver lining” from the community outcry.
“Maybe the decision on the night wasn’t the best but at least we have had the best community consultation process imaginable,” she said.
In the event of a tie, Mitcham Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross will have the deciding vote.
She said she was feeling “confident” the decision to cancel the Carols would be reversed.
“Last time councillors who needed the time to consider things didn’t get that opportunity.
“The original motion had a good intention but was changed on the night.
“It’s a good lesson for us all not to change things on the fly.”
Councillor Darren Kruse – who said last week he was happy to be known as the “Christmas Grinch” – expected the motion to succeed but wanted to “hear the discussion in the chamber” before making up his mind.
Councillor Stephen Fisher said he was yet to hear an argument to reverse his vote to cancel the Carols.
The Advertiser understands former Mitcham mayor Glenn Spear has been given leave to address the special meeting before the formal debate.
Mr Spear has stated he will personally pay $20,000 to sponsor a Christmas Carols night in Mitcham if council confirms it will not hold one.
He also wrote in Tuesday’s Letters to the Editor that he was disappointed with the decision, which drove resentment and division.
The July 23 vote to cancel the event:
For the motion: Cr Yvonne Todd, Cr Lindy Taeuber, Cr Jasmine Berry, Cr Stephen Fisher, Cr
Katarina Steele, Cr Jane Bange, Cr Corin McCarthy
Against the motion: Cr Dave Munro, Cr Karen Hockley, Cr Darren Kruse, Cr John Sanderson,
Cr Adriana Christopoulos
Councillor Tilley was absent due to his surgery.
