Former Mayors of Monash
Councillor Tina Samardzija
Tina Samardzija was first elected to Monash Council in 2020. On 9 November 2021, Tina was elected Deputy Mayor for 2021-22, and on 14 November 2022 was elected as Mayor of the City of Monash for the 2022-23 term.
Tina is a Wheelers Hill resident raising 2 children. She is the first-born child of parents who migrated from Europe, and in the great Australian migrant tradition, the first in the family to complete university. After studying Economics and Law at Monash University’s Clayton campus, Tina has dedicated her professional career to understanding the economy and how to make it work for people.
Councillor Stuart James
Stuart James is a second-time Councillor, representing the Oakleigh Ward in 2020-2024. He was first elected in 2016 to represent Oakleigh Ward, serving as Deputy Mayor in his first year on council. In November 2019, Stuart was elected as the 17th Mayor of the City of Monash, leading council through the COVID-19 pandemic. On 9 November 2021, Stuart was elected as Monash's Mayor for the 2021-2022 term.
Councillor Shane McCluskey
Shane McCluskey is one of 3 Councillors elected to represent the Mulgrave Ward, for the period 2016–2020. Shane served as Deputy Mayor in 2017/2018 and as Monash's Mayor in 2018/2019. Shane and his family are Wheelers Hill residents, in the heart of the Mulgrave Ward. He and his family have been living in Monash since 2002. Shane is a professional Firefighter, and has been since 1990, in the Metropolitan Fire Brigade and holds the rank of Station Officer.
Councillor Paul Klisaris
Paul Klisaris was first elected to Monash in 2000 and served as Mayor in 2008 and 2009, 2014/15 and 2017/18. Councillor Klisaris holds a degree in Social Sciences and a Diploma of Education. Paul began his career as a secondary college teacher. He has dedicated most of his adult life to educating and caring for children. One high point was working with migrant children from Sudan, teaching them to speak English and introducing them to Australian culture.
Councillor Rebecca Paterson
On 3 November 2016, Rebecca Paterson was elected as Monash's Mayor. She was first elected to Council, as a Mount Waverley Ward Councillor, in 2013. She served as Mayor in 2016/2017. Her priorities include: advocating for youth mental health services, and protecting the liveability of Monash’s neighbourhoods. As a previous member of Council’s Gender Equity Advisory Committee, Cr Paterson said she was passionate about working with the committee and Council to achieve gender equity in the community.
Councillor Geoff Lake
Councillor Lake was one of the youngest Councillors and Mayors in Victoria. He has held the offices of President of the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Australian Local Government Association. Councillor Lake is a practising solicitor. Councillor Lake has served three terms as Mayor of Monash. He was also elected as Mayor in April 2016, after Stefanie Perri has resigned from Council to stand as a candidate in the Federal Election.
Councillor Stefanie Perri
Monash's 2011/12 Mayor, Stefanie finished her term in October 2012. She was also elected as Mayor for 2015/2016. Stefanie Perri has resigned from Council in April 2016 to stand as a candidate in the Federal Election. She championed projects including the Prevention of Violence Against Women Project, the Clayton Clarinda Community Strengthening Project, and the Monash Women's Business Network. The proud daughter of Italian migrants, she holds a Bachelor of Communications degree.
Councillor Micaela Drieberg
Monash's 2012/2013 Mayor, Micaela finished her term in November 2013. A Monash resident, born and raised in Melbourne’s south-east and the daughter of Sri Lankan born parents, Micaela worked in the public health sector for more than 10 years. Taking advantage of her professional background, Micaela ensured Monash Council took a lead on public health issues.
Councillor Greg Male
During his mayoralty in 2010/2011, Greg helped establish the Monash Men's Shed, of which he remains patron. Another highlight of his mayoralty was the opening of the Batesford Reserve Youth and Community Hub in Jordanville, the area where Greg was born. He brought a mix of skills to the leadership role: having qualifications in Community Services and nearly 30 years of experience working in the finance industry. Greg is currently the Councillor Development Officer with the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Councillor Charlotte Baines
First elected to Council in 2005, Councillor Baines has lived in the Mulgrave Ward her whole life. She was active in a number of community based groups. Councillor Baines is a qualified lawyer and a PhD candidate in the Sociology Department at Monash University.
Councillor Stephen Dimopoulos
Councillor Dimopoulos is a former business owner and long term resident of Oakleigh, having been raised there. He is a Senior Policy Manager in the Victorian Public Service. Councillor Dimopoulos served his term of office as Mayor during the time that the State Government altered the timetable for the conduct of Council elections. He was elected as the State Member for Oakleigh in 2014.
Councillor Joy Banerji
Councillor Banerji has qualifications and involvement in community development, and a background in the Finance sector. Councillor Banerji stood for Federal Parliament, in the seat of Menzies, in the 2010 Federal elections. Councillor Banerji has served two terms as Mayor of Monash.
Councillor Matthew Evans
Councillor Evans was first elected to Council in 1997, serving two terms. Since 2009 he has served as a member of the Victorian Councillor Conduct Panel established by the Minister for Local Government under the Local Government Act to consider complaints of serious misconduct by councillors. Since 2021 he has also served as a member of the Victorian Local Government Arbiter Panel List established under the Act to consider complaints of misconduct by councillors.
Councillor Tom Morrissey JP
Tom served as Monash Mayor in 2006/2007 and 2001/2002, part of a long stint of public service which began in 1990 when he was elected as a Councillor in the former City of Waverley. Sadly, Tom passed away in May 2013. In recognition of his commitment to Monash's economic prosperity, the Monash Enterprise Centre has been renamed the Tom Morrissey Building.
Councillor Peter Holdsworth
Councillor Holdsworth has spent more than 25 years in the community sector as a senior executive, board member, and consultant. He has also served on a number of government committees and peak industry groups.
Councillor Gill Clare
Councillor Clare was a a former Councillor of the former City of Waverley and a former Councillor and Mayor of the City of Monash and was an active member of the community for many years. She was a strong supporter of the Monash Gallery of Art. Sadly, she passed away in 2012.
Councillor Peter Vlahos
Elected as the first Mayor of Monash, Cr Vlahos is a practicing solicitor and business consultant. Councillor Vlahos served two terms.