Cr Marijke Graham resigns from Council

Published on 08 September 2023

“It is with regret that I advise the Maroondah community that Barngeong Ward Councillor, Marijke Graham has resigned from her role as a Councillor of the City of Maroondah, effective 8 September 2023,” said Mayor of Maroondah, Councillor Rob Steane.

“Marijke was first elected as a Councillor in the former Wyreena Ward in October 2016. She served a full four year term, and was elected Deputy Mayor in 2019/20,” said Cr Steane.

“Council elections were held in October 2020, with a change to the wards and member representation. Marijke was once again elected, this time for the new Barngeong Ward, an area that sat within the former Wyreena Ward,” said Cr Steane.

Over the years Marijke has represented Council on a range of committees and boards, including the Maroondah Arts Advisory Committee, Eastern Alliance for Greenhouse Action, Eastern Transport Coalition, Maroondah Communities of Wellbeing Steering Committee, Maroondah Age-Friendly Cities & Communities Network, Eastern Regional Group - Mayor and CEOs, and the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter.

More recently Marijke represented Council as Chair of the Maroondah Environment Advisory Committee, and Deputy Chair of the Maroondah Access, Inclusion and Equity Advisory Committee.

“Marijke was a strong advocate for the community that she so ably represented. Her local knowledge and deep understanding of environmental and sustainability issues and local community concerns in her own Ward helped in so many ways to shape and guide where we are today,” said Cr Steane.

“My fellow Councillors and I thank Marijke for her great contribution to Maroondah over the past 7 years, and offer her and her family all the best for their future,” said Cr Steane.

“The process to fill the vacancy in the Barngeong Ward will be managed by the Victorian Electoral Commission via a by-election,” said Cr Steane.

The Victorian Electoral Commission has been notified of the Extraordinary Vacancy of Maroondah City Council, and has determined that a by-election will take place on Saturday 2 December 2023.

Following the by-election by the Victorian Electoral Commission, the elected candidate will take up the remainder of the Council term through to the next election in October 2024.