Meadow Valley Ward councillor Geoff Porter elected mayor of Hume for third time

THE newly-elected mayor of Hume wants to turn the city into the education capital of Victoria.

New mayor of Hume Geoff Porter

NEWLY-ELECTED mayor Geoff Porter wants to turn Hume into the education capital of Victoria.

The Meadow Valley Ward councillor, who is in his fourth term on council, was elected unopposed last night as mayor.

His third stint in the chair is a feat never achieved at Hume before and by only 25 other councillors in Victoria.

Jacana born and bred, Cr Porter said it was an “honour” and a “privilege” to be serving again as mayor.

Newly-elected mayor Geoff Porter and deputy mayor Carly Moore.

Cr Porter, a teacher at Holy Child Primary School Primary School, said better and more education opportunities and supporting youth employment were on the top of his agenda over the next 12 months.

He said if Victoria was the education state, he wanted Hume to be the education precinct.

“My passion is in education and what it can bring to people’s lives and my priority is for our community to have access to education at any stage of their life,” he said.

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“Our young children, our youth, families, and our aged should be able to access education close to their home so there can be opportunities for all.”

Cr Porter said he was committed to programs and initiatives that would support local jobs and skills for people, especially for youths.

He said he would lobby all levels of government, particularly in the lead-up to the state election next year, to secure a better infrastructure deal, including better roads, for Hume.

Residents were also encouraged to play their part in supporting the community and take action such as reporting graffiti and illegal rubbish dumping, he said.

Cr Jana Taylor, who nominated Cr Porter for the top job, said he was a true leader and a well-respected figure in the community.

Aitken Creek Ward councillor Carly Moore was elected deputy mayor.