In with the new: New mayor Nora Lamont with her husband Ray and sons Dan, at left, and Andrew.
MULLUM ward councillor Nora Lamont has been elected mayor of the new-look Maroondah Council.
She becomes the first female mayor of Maroondah in 13 years and is now chair of a council that has more women than men.
The council chambers were packed last Thursday by the family and friends of incoming and returning councillors as each took their oaths of office.
Accepting her nomination and election to the role of mayor, Cr Lamont said she would be "hands-on" and promised to always be open and available.
"I think it's fitting at this moment to declare this year as the year of the woman. As a women's champion for Maroondah Council it has been a thrill to see so many women not only stand for council but elected as well," she said.
Cr Lamont said she was proud that Maroondah was one of the few councils in Victoria to have a majority of women.
The new mayor promised to act against the rate of family violence in Maroondah and roll out community programs to prevent violence against women.
"We must start getting this message across and we must do it now."
In a speech outlining goals for her term as mayor, she nominated the completion of the new Ringwood aquatic centre as one of her top priorities. She also called on the state government to communicate more clearly its plans for the upgrade of Ringwood railway station.