Mayor and Councillors
On this page:
Council wards
Merri-bek has 11 separate wards, each with one Councillor.
The 11 wards are:
- Bababi Djinanang Ward
- Box Forest Ward
- Brunswick West Ward
- Bulleke-bek Ward
- Djirri-Djirri Ward
- Harmony Park Ward
- Pascoe Vale South Ward
- Pentridge Ward
- Randazzo Ward
- Warrk-Warrk Ward
- Westbreen Ward
Find your Council ward and your representatives
A detailed map of Merri-bek wards, as well as other electoral boundaries, is available on the Victorian Electoral Commission website.
Mayor of Merri-bek
Mayor: Cr Helen Davidson
Cr Helen Davidson was elected as Mayor at the Council Meeting on 20 November 2024.
Cr Davidson was elected for a one-year term.
Mobile: 0403 709 948
Email: HDavidson@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Deputy Mayor: Cr Helen Politis
Cr Helen Politis was elected as Deputy Mayor at the Council Meeting on 20 November 2024.
Cr Politis was elected for a one-year term.
Mobile: 0456 357 280
Email: HPolitis@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
Meet your Councillors
Bababi Djinanang Ward
Cr Sue Bolton
Mobile: 0417 583 664
Email: SBolton@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
As a former bus and truck driver and public servant I have a good sense of issues faced by many people.
I have been active around a wide range of issues from getting new playgrounds, new public toilets and a new dog park to opposing development of a highly toxic site.
I want to see more action from Council to tackle climate change and the housing and cost-of-living crisis. Council needs to provide more support for emergency relief, and push for more public housing.
I am committed to getting Council to create better access for people with disabilities.
I will actively oppose any attempts to remove the community’s right to have a say over development.
I support human rights and justice, whether it is the human rights of someone who is fighting for the council to fix a dangerous tripping hazard or a broader human rights issue.
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- First Nations Advisory Committee
- Disability Reference Group
- Heritage and Local History Reference Group
Box Forest Ward
Cr Chris Miles
Mobile: 0439 685 801
Email: CMiles@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
I moved to Glenroy in 2012 with my late brother, Nick, and have called this community home ever since. I’ve worked as a tradesman painter since leaving school and have been in the industry for nearly two decades.
Throughout my life, I’ve faced the challenges of a severe learning disability, but it’s never stopped me from pursuing my passions or contributing to the community. I've always been deeply involved in sports, whether playing or volunteering with local sporting clubs. My love for sports also led me to race push bikes competitively in my younger years.
Alongside my dedication to work and sport, I’m an animal lover at heart, always surrounded by pets and advocating for animal welfare. Glenroy has been a great place for me to grow, and I’m committed to giving back to this community that’s supported me through thick and thin.
Responsible for:
- Economic Development
- Older Persons
- Sport and Recreation
- Transport and Getting Around
- Urban Planning
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Community Planning – Councillor Reference Group
- Glenroy Advisory Group
- Friends of Aileu Community Committee
- Metropolitan Transport Forum
Brunswick West Ward
Cr Ella Svensson
Mobile: 0467 498 665
Email: ESvensson@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Ella is a psychologist, family therapist, and Brunswick West local. She lives with her fiancée Sarah and is parent to three cats and a cantankerous 10-year-old rabbit.
Ella is passionate about improving our community’s health and wellbeing.
Ella wants everyone in Merri-bek to have access to secure and affordable housing so they can put down roots. She wants to see well-funded community services and third spaces that help everyone feel welcome and contribute to our community.
She also knows that to have a healthy, connected community we must have a healthy planet. She will fight to protect and expand our green spaces and take action to tackle the climate crisis.
Ella is committed to representing our community with compassion and integrity. She is determined to be an accessible and responsive advocate for residents. She looks forward to hearing your questions, concerns, and suggestions.
Responsible for:
- Climate and Nature
- Early Years
- Human Rights
- Urban Planning
- Young People
Advisory and external committees:
- Audit and Risk Committee
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Community Planning – Councillor Reference Group
- Brunswick Advisory Group
- Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) Executive
- Affordable Housing Reference Group
- LGBTIQA+ Reference Group
Bulleke-bek Ward
Cr Jay Iwasaki
Mobile: 0429 431 760
Email: JIwasaki@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
I’m Dr Jay Iwasaki and I’m the representative for the people of Bulleke-bek Ward in central Brunswick. I’m a bee scientist and educator with a PhD in Ecology, and for the past 10 years I’ve been researching how we can protect native bees and ensure food security in Australia.
As a city councillor I have three main goals:
- to be an accessible and effective representative,
- to deliver the best outcomes for everyone in Brunswick and the city of Merri-bek, and
- to make Merri-bek Council an outstanding example for sustainability and urban biodiversity conservation.
For the past 15 years, I’ve mostly been involved with universities and non-profit organisations, and I bring a collaborative, professional, and pragmatic approach to council. When it comes to government, I’m committed to equity, accountability, and transparency.
Responsible for:
- Arts and Culture
- Climate and Nature
- Multiculturalism
- Urban Planning
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Coburg Revitalisation Oversight Committee
- Brunswick Advisory Group
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Merri-bek Community Recognition Committee (Merri-bek Awards)
- Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action (NAGA) Executive
- Arts Advisory Committee
- Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee
Djirri-Djirri Ward
Cr Helen Davidson
Mobile: 0403 709 948
Email: HDavidson@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
I am a lifelong resident of Glenroy and an Independent Councillor with no political affiliation. As a passionate community advocate, I am committed to acting with integrity, listening to residents, and being a strong and dedicated voice for the people of Merri-bek.
My priorities are focused on delivering real, tangible benefits for our community. I will work to revitalise our local shopping strips, with a particular emphasis on supporting small, family-run businesses. I am passionate about increasing investment in footpaths, local roads, and well-planned bike paths, while also creating more open spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Additionally, supporting our elderly residents is essential, and I will ensure our aged services meet their needs. I am equally focused on improving children’s services, including upgrading maternal and child health facilities, and ensuring our public libraries evolve to meet modern demands.
Upgrading local sporting facilities is another key focus, ensuring they are fit for purpose, accessible, and equipped to support our growing population and increased participation, across all sports. With a clear vision for Merri-bek’s future, I am committed to creating a thriving, inclusive, and connected community for everyone.
Responsible for:
- Sport and Recreation
Advisory and external committees:
- Audit and Risk Committee
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Community Planning – Councillor Reference Group
- Coburg Revitalisation Oversight Committee
- Glenroy Advisory Group
- Municipal Association of Victoria (Representative)
- M9 Committee
- Northern Councils Alliance
- Human Rights and Inclusion Advisory Committee
Harmony Park Ward
Cr Helen Politis
Mobile: 0456 357 280
Email: HPolitis@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Responsible for:
- Economic Development
- Multiculturalism
- Sport and Recreation
Advisory and external committees:
- Audit and Risk Committee
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Coburg Revitalisation Oversight Committee
Pascoe Vale South Ward
Cr Oscar Yildiz
Mobile: 0413 850 357
Email: oyildiz@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Responsible for:
- Early Years
- Economic Development
- Multiculturalism
- Older Persons
- Sport and Recreation
- Young People
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Community Planning – Councillor Reference Group
- Glenroy Advisory Group
- Merri-bek Community Recognition Committee (Merri-bek Awards)
- Northern Councils Alliance
- Age-Friendly (Older People) Reference Group
Pentridge Ward
Cr Nat Abboud
Mobile: 0487 258 044
Email: NAbboud@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Hello I'm Nat Abboud, a Nth Coburg local for the past 19 years and one half of the restaurant Rumi.
As a business owner and a woman I have had involvement with the Women's Business Network and the Economic Development Team and look forward to supporting women and women in business in the future.
I have been involved in school councils at Coburg High and John Fawkner and I am very interested in helping to help strengthen our theatre and performing arts facilities in the city.
As a local to Parker Reserve and a keen baseball player I hope we can deliver a long-awaited quality baseball field for the city's most marginalised sport!
Responsible for:
- Arts and Culture
- Economic Development
- Women
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Community Planning – Councillor Reference Group
- Coburg Revitalisation Oversight Committee
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Merri-bek Community Recognition Committee (Merri-bek Awards)
- Merri Creek Management Committee
- Arts Advisory Committee
- Human Rights and Inclusion Advisory Committee
- Gender Equality Reference Group
Randazzo Ward
Cr Liz Irvin
Mobile: 0472 846 861
Email: LIrvin@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Liz loves living in Merri-bek and being part of our caring, progressive community. Her experience as a transport planner gives her a natural enthusiasm for understanding how people move around our city, and what council can do to make our streets safer, more sustainable and more accessible.
Liz is also passionate about returning nature to the city, through trees and other planting for shade and biodiversity. She is keen to support ways for the community to come together and connect, through new parks and open space, and programs to foster inclusion. She wants Merri-bek to stay the progressive, vibrant place it is today, which means ensuring we have enough affordable housing and options for existing residents to be able to stay and for new residents to be able to move here.
Responsible for:
- Sport and Recreation
- Transport and Getting Around
- Urban Planning
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Brunswick Advisory Group
- Coburg Advisory Group
- Merri Creek Management Committee
- Metropolitan Transport Forum
- Sustainable Transport Advisory Committee
Warrk-Warrk Ward
Cr Adam Pulford
Mobile: 0417 835 793
Email: APulford@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Responsible for:
- Arts and Culture
- Economic Development
- Transport and Getting Around
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Community Planning – Councillor Reference Group
- Brunswick Advisory Group
- Friends of Aileu Community Committee
- Municipal Association of Victoria (Representative)
- LGBTIQA+ Reference Group
Westbreen Ward
Cr Katerine Theodosis
Mobile: 0459 959 298
Email: KTheodosis@merri-bek.vic.gov.au
-
Responsible for:
- Multiculturalism
- Sport and Recreation
- Women
Advisory and external committees:
- CEO Employment and Remuneration Matters Committee
- Glenroy Advisory Group
- Gender Equality Reference Group