New councillors for City of Sydney

Cr Angela Vithoulkas (Living Sydney)

Passionate small business owner, Angela Vithoulkas, ran for council to help give small businesses a say. Having caught her first shoplifter at the age of 3, it is easy to see how involved Angela has become with the business community. She discusses her personal achievements, and what she hopes to bring to the City of Sydney.

“When I found out a few months ago that I had a right to vote as a small business owner, and this information had been kept hidden, I realised that it must have meant that lots of other small business owners had also been denied their democratic rights. That was the start. Then when I started talking to people about Council I discovered that many local residents also felt just as neglected. The whole community needs better representation and a voice that will fight for them.”

For the past 27 years, Angela has run an award-winning small business in the CBD. “I run a cafe in the CBD with my brother Con, and I also have a small business online radio station called Eagle Waves Radio which broadcasts and has its studio right in the cafe. I am the winner of the 2007 NSW Telstra Women’s Business Owner and the 2006 NSW Entrepreneur of the Year amongst many other awards.”

Angela states that the success of her campaign was a result of attending community meetings and listening to people. The people of Sydney are her number-one priority as she vows to continue to act as an open ear.

Working toward decreasing areas of overspending, and being a voice and advocate for homeless people in Sydney, Angela’s first term in council is looking to tackle a range of different issues, in a proactive way.

Cr John Mant (CMIT)

John Mant attended Sydney University in the 1960s with fellow students Bob Hughes, Clive James, Leo Schofield and John Bell. “It was an exciting time. I studied arts, then law,” he said.

From an early age, John found himself drawn to the Labor side of politics. “I was always interested in infrastructure and planning, in reform, in something other than paternalism. I was interested in sustainable community and how that’s managed.” At one time he was senior advisor to Tom Uren, and in the mid-1970s, principal private secretary to Gough Whitlam. Following the sacking and defeat of the Whitlam government, he moved to South Australia and worked for five years in the Planning and Housing Department of Don Dunstan’s government. “It was a terrific experience, the culmination of all I’d learnt up to that point.”

In 1986, John was invited by the Liberal government to co-ordinate a major inquiry into the Housing Department. “Power was to be taken away from architects and planners and towards managers and social workers on the ground – community housing was given a big boost.”

John also co-wrote the Local Government Act. “It took years to write and implement [1989-1993],” he said. “Council departments were outposts of state agencies. Councils had very few powers. The new Act offers councils the freedom to reform. Sydney has taken on some reforms. Sydney has incredibly good staff, and the CEO is a great team leader.”

John was recently President of the Paddington Society. “It’s the oldest community heritage organisation in Australia. We’ve resisted inappropriate development and ensured that Paddington retains its Victorian streetscapes and remains a liveable suburb.”

John believes in responsible management of change. “I’d like housing tenants in particular to know that in the context of fundamental changes to housing and social policy, I believe their rights are paramount.”

Cr Linda Scott (ALP)

Linda Scott lives with her husband and two young children in Erskineville. An elected member of the NSW ALP Policy Forum and a past Co-Convenor of Labor for Refugees, Linda was the successful candidate following Labor’s first community pre-selection process. She was sworn in with fellow councillors at a ceremony featuring the city’s own town crier. “It meant a lot, taking the oath. I feel privileged to be serving as a councillor,” she said.

Linda is Labor’s sole representative across the Local Government Area. She succeeds Dr Meredith Burgmann. “I have great respect for Meredith. She’s been an activist against apartheid, involved with the green bans, social justice and equity, the environment, all good causes. I want to build on that good work, definitely,” she said.

“There’s a community feel here [in Erskineville] we really like. You realise how important quality childcare is, how important quality parks are in the inner city – for children and for everybody. Childcare is a core council responsibility. At the moment there’s a waiting list of 495 babies.”

Linda was Chair of the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre for two years. “I loved that centre. It was started by a group of migrant women who organised English classes, sewing and cooking classes, budget assistance – ensuring that nobody in Surry Hills was left out or left behind.” Linda is the Deputy Chair of Council’s Community Committee.

A keen drummer, Linda is aware of the dearth of music venues in the city. “A city needs music, which means venues not just for pokies. The Surry Hills Festival [this year in Prince Alfred Park on October 27] always meant opportunities for young bands. I’ll be keen to encourage more of that, more opportunities for live music.”

“I support wards because I’m for true local representation. A spread of candidates across the LGA offers better service to local communities. The referendum was defeated at the last election, but I’d be keen to see it discussed and proposed again in future.”

Cr Edward Mandla (Liberal)

Edward Mandla wants to bring his expertise in technology and business to his first term in office. Here’s what he has to say about his life, and getting into politics.

“I came from a migrant family which appreciated democracy and always spoke about politics at the dinner table. My Father would proudly say you could be anything in Australia including a politician. So, I was always interested.”

A technophile at heart, Edward has run technology companies for the past 13 years of his life, and a background in dealing with large software companies has given him an edge in politics: “I see my role as councillor as one of civic leadership and facilitating communication between residents and a large and complex council operation. I also see my election platform as my priorities – safer streets, cutting wasteful expenditure, supporting local business and better transport integration.”

Edward won the first university medal for information technology while attaining an honours degree at the University of NSW. He also has an impeccable professional portfolio with previous roles as past president of the Australian Computer Society, vice-president of the Consensus Technology Association, judge of the Consensus Software Awards, and President of the Sydney City Liberals.

Although he has had somewhat of an embellished career, Edward aims at achieving his priorities in gaining safer streets and cutting expenditure by working closely and objectively with his fellow councillors.

“Working with other councillors will be interesting as a council of 10 is split down the middle with five in the Clover Moore Team. It’s likely the Greens will continue their alliance with the Clover Moore Team, allowing them to push through their agenda. So far, all councillors are cordial, enthusiastic and committed to considering everything before them objectively.”