Two backed in mayor vote
Traders’ praise for councillors
THE Borough of Queenscliffe council will elect a new mayor tonight, with local traders voicing their support for councillors Ross Ebbels and Boyce Pizzey.
Mayor Susan Salter has held the top job for the past 12 months after taking the reins from Cr Tony Francis.
Queenscliff Shelter Shed owner Donnie Grigau said he would back Cr Ebbels or Cr Pizzey for the mayoral role and commended them for their ability to listen to the community.
“Boyce has experience with his museum background and he could use that to preserve the history of Queenscliff while presenting modern day incarnations,” he said.
“Ross has a background in hospitality and hopefully he could revitalise the town.”
Point Lonsdale’s Noble Rot owner Trish Perry said Cr Pizzey, who was elected to council in 2016, was the best candidate.
“I’d like to see Boyce take an active role in beautifying Hesse St and Point Lonsdale,” she said. “He’s quite balanced in his approach to town development as well.”
Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff Community Association member Andrew Sutherland also endorsed Cr Pizzey and said he would be “a natural fit” as mayor.
Mr Sutherland said Cr Pizzey’s history preserving historic buildings would help the borough as it entered a “phase of preservation”.
Cr Salter, the outgoing mayor, who was elected to council in October 2012 and re-elected for a second term in October 2016, has had a tumultuous tenure with the Des- tination Queenscliff project dividing the community.
Cr Pizzey served as director of the Historic Buildings Council Victoria from 1976 to 1986, deputy director of the Museum of Victoria from 1986 to 1998 and was the founding director of Scienceworks.
Cr Pizzey has also served on numerous public and private boards of management including the National Trust of Australia, and as a heritage specialist sessional member of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
He was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his contribution to the arts through development of cultural institutions and conservation of heritage.
Cr Ebbels has served on the Queenscliff Primary School Council, including two years as president, as a board member and inaugural chairman of the Queenscliff Music Festival and chaired the Geelong Otway Tourism Board for six years.
He and his wife own Athelstane House and McKenzie Ebbels Food Store.