Mornington Peninsula election: Strictly Ballroom star Paul Mercurio wins
He’s still recognised in the street as the star of award-winning film Strictly Ballroom. But Paul Mercurio says it was his passion for the local community that earned him his next big role.
South East
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A “humble and grateful” Paul Mercurio has claimed victory in the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council elections.
The Tyabb man received 6535 votes – massive 55.94 per cent of the vote – for Watson Ward, which covers Tyabb, Somerville Baxter and parts of Moorooduc and Pearcedale.
Stefan Borzecki received the second highest number of votes with 1729 followed by Lousie Page on 1632.
“I think it will give me some extra gravitas in the chamber knowing that more than half the Watson Ward voters chose me to represent them,” Mr Mercurio said.
Mr Mercurio said he decided to run for council in January after witnessing “injustices’ in some council dealings with the community, particularly issues relating to Tyabb Airfield and the council’s ongoing dispute with Peninsula Aero Club over permits and a masterplan for the site.
“I realised I could continue to be annoyed with the imbalance and the lack of real community consultation, or I could do something about it.
“I chose to throw my hat in the ring.”
Mr Mercurio said while his concerns about PAC sparked his desire to run for council, it was the conversations he had with “everyday people in the street” that gave him the will to win.
“It felt like we had a ‘no council’. I wanted a ‘yes, let’s see how we can make this happen council’,” he said.
“I think that’s going to be really important as we work our way into COVID-normal lives.”
Mr Mercurio said some of his votes may have come from his public profile as a dancer, actor and cook.
“But I’m also a bloke who loves his community and is happy to listen to what people have to say,” he said.
All successful candidates will be announced on Friday at a Declaration of Election ceremony live streamed from the Peninsula Community Theatre, from 3pm.
Mornington Peninsula chief executive John Baker said he was looking forward to meeting the new 2020-2024 council and welcoming them to the Mornington Peninsula Shire.
“This is an exciting and challenging time for the new councillors and the whole Shire team as we prepare to develop the strategy and vision for the next term of council and focus on the recovery and bounce back for the Mornington Peninsula economy post COVID lockdown,” Mr Baker said.
The public can watch the ceremony via mornpen.vic.gov.au/councilelections but cannot attend because of coronavirus restrictions.
The new council will be officially sworn in at the Annual Council Meeting on Monday, November 16, where the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will also be elected.
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