Greater Bendigo City Council has elected Cr Abhishek Awasthi as Mayor and Cr Andrea Metcalf as Deputy Mayor for the 2026-2027 term following a Council meeting held tonight at the Capital Theatre.
Mayor Cr Awasthi said he was honoured to have the confidence of his fellow Councillors and was ready to serve the Greater Bendigo community with kindness and compassion.
“I am grateful for the support of my family and fellow Councillors as I take on this role. As a resident and the parent of a young family, I have seen first-hand the difference local government makes through services, facilities and public spaces that bring our communities together. Listening to our community will remain at the heart of my approach, so that residents continue to shape Council’s priorities and decisions.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our local economy. They create jobs, bring our streets to life and give Greater Bendigo its character. I want Council to keep creating opportunities for businesses to succeed while strengthening Greater Bendigo’s reputation as a leader in tourism, innovation and economic development.
“I look forward to working closely with my fellow Councillors, Council staff and our community to continue making a positive difference across Greater Bendigo.”
Deputy Mayor Cr Metcalf said she was delighted to take on the role and remained committed to helping deliver a welcoming, sustainable and thriving future for Greater Bendigo.
“Our community vision provides a clear direction for the future, and I am committed to supporting projects that create lasting benefits, including affordable housing, stronger community partnerships, active transport initiatives and a more circular economy.
“We must continue supporting residents to manage waste responsibly and working with government, industry and community partners to address challenges such as illegal dumping and emerging waste streams. At the same time, it’s important that both our urban and rural communities have access to opportunities that help them thrive. By working together, we can deliver positive outcomes for Greater Bendigo, and I look forward to collaborating with community groups, local residents and partner organisations to achieve that shared vision.”
Council also acknowledged the significant contributions of outgoing Mayor Cr Thomas Prince and Deputy Mayor Cr Karen Corr for their leadership and service over the past 12 months.
Cr Prince represented Greater Bendigo with passion and purpose, demonstrating a strong commitment to community engagement, advocacy and fostering connections across the municipality.
Throughout her term as Deputy Mayor, Cr Corr played an important leadership role, supporting Council and the Mayor while advocating for the community and contributing to the delivery of positive outcomes for Greater Bendigo residents.
