Former Bayside Council mayor Bill Saravinovski postpones farewell dinner indefinitely

A lavish send-off for the retiring mayor of a southern Sydney council has been called off indefinitely due to his ill health, as “disciplinary” proceedings loom.

Retiring mayor Bill Saravinovski’s farewell gig has been cancelled. Picture: John Appleyard

An extravagant send-off for the retiring mayor of a southern Sydney council has been postponed indefinitely due to his ill health as “disciplinary” proceedings loom.

The news was broken to councillors and executive staff in an email sent on Monday confirming the civic dinner for retired Bayside Council mayor Bill Saravinovski would no longer go ahead on Friday, October 18.

It comes as Mr Saravinovski prepares to front the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a directions hearing on Thursday, October 17 – the day before the dinner.

In the email, council’s general manager Meredith Wallace said the event had been called off at Mr Saravinovski’s request.

“This morning Emeritus Mayor Saravinovski advised that his preference is to delay the acknowledgment of his extraordinary 40 years of service to the local community,” the email read.

Mr Saravinovski retired from local government before the September election. Picture: John Appleyard

“On that basis we will let all guests know that next Friday night’s reception will not go ahead and that we will look for other suitable opportunities to celebrate a lifetime of achievement of public service.”

The event, to be held at the Grand Roxy in Brighton Le Sands, was expected to pull out all the stops to celebrate Mr Saravinovski’s departure from local government with the function costs rumoured to be in the tens of thousands according to fellow councillors.

Mr Saravinovski retired suddenly before the September council election, citing ongoing health issues, after serving as mayor 11 times on Bayside Council and the former Rockdale City Council.

The announcement also follows the Office of Local Government referring “disciplinary proceedings” involving Mr Saravinovski to the tribunal.

During an administrative hearing last week, Mr Saravinovski’s legal team sought to have the case adjourned for a second time due to his ill health. However, the application was rejected after the lawyers failed to produce medical evidence.

The matter is set to be determined in November, with another administrative hearing scheduled for later this week.

The civic dinner was scheduled to be held at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands. Picture: Facebook

The Grand Roxy is well-known as a popular wedding venue in southern Sydney. Picture: Facebook

A Bayside Council spokesperson confirmed the delayed dinner had been organised and paid for by council after speculation ratepayers would have to foot the bill for the unprecedented farewell.

“Bill Saravinovski has advised that he is having ongoing health issues, and his preference is to delay the acknowledgment of his 40 years of service to the local community,” the spokesperson said.

“The civic dinner [intended to] celebrate Bill Saravinovski’s unprecedented 40 years of service to the Bayside community, retiring after 40 years is a rarity in local government and such a significant milestone warrants an appropriate recognition.

“The event also provides council the opportunity to thank the family, friends and community members who supported Bill as a councillor and mayor to deliver four decades of community service”

Mr Saravinovski has been contacted for comment.