Page 13: ’Melbourne deserves strong leadership’: Wood may be eyeing city’s top job

Whispers are growing that Arron Wood will take on Nicholas Reece in a fresh tilt for Melbourne’s top job in October — but who could his running mate be?

Arron Wood is all but certain to have another tilt at Melbourne’s top job. Picture: Supplied

Lord Mayor Sally Capp hands over the mayoral robes to deputy Nicholas Reece on Monday and the whispers are growing on who will stand against him at the council elections in October.

The name we keep hearing is that of Arron Wood, who is all but certain to have another tilt at Melbourne’s top job.

The former deputy mayor picked up the pieces after former Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, “Oily Doyley,” exited in disgrace.

Wood teamed up with digital marketing whiz Lisa Teh in the 2020 election, finishing second to the Capp-Reece team after preferences.

Wood needs a dynamic and civic-minded innovator for a running mate and Page 13 keeps hearing the name of rich lister, author and bikini entrepreneur Erin Deering.

Arron and Stephanie Wood. Picture: Fiona Byrne

Deering has been sounded out to be on Wood’s ticket, but nothing easy comes with it.

As Page 13 revealed earlier this year Derryn Hinch was ready to put his hand up come October but the former Victorian senator and Justice Party leader quickly put his hand back down given the astronomical amount of money it takes to run an election campaign.

The bearded one-time radio burbler said the cost was somewhere between $250,000-$500,000.

Even the outspoken Hinch bit down on his tongue and while many high-profile punters like the idea of throwing their weight around Town Hall, they back off at the workload, not to mention long-winded council meetings.

Like all good politicians, Wood was keeping his options open when Page 13 called. He has been heading the Clean Energy Council after working in education and having founded the Kids Teaching Kids program.

Author and bikini entrepreneur Erin Deering. Picture: Instagram

“It’s true that lots of people I highly respect have urged me to run in the upcoming election,” Wood said.

“The love I have for Melbourne and the calling to help get our amazing city back on track means I’m giving this real consideration.

“I’m talking to family and many leaders across Melbourne who I’m lucky to call friends. I love Melbourne and believe it deserves strong leadership to get the city back on its feet.”

Other names floated as Wood’s 2024 running mate alongside Deering include Melbourne’s “unofficial mayor” Ann Peacock.

The daughter of former Liberal Party leader, the late Andrew Peacock, has already been sounded out by Nicholas Reece. We told you she was popular.

Ann Peacock’s name has also been floated as a potential running mate for Wood. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Wood also appeared on the SBS Filthy Rich & Homeless series where high-profile Australians experienced life on the streets.

An emotional Wood was so affected by the experience he spent a lot time failing to hold back the tears on screen.

But it is his glamorous wife, Stephanie, we will be seeing more of. An advertising executive, she has joined childhood friend, DJ Havana Brown on Ten’s Amazing Race Australia Celebrity edition. Watch this space.