Dr Zelinda Sherlock has become the first female of Indian heritage to hold the title of Deputy Lord Mayor in Tasmania.
Sherlock won a vote by City of Hobart councillors at a meeting on Monday night following the departure of Helen Burnet.
Sherlock, who is the daughter of Councillor Mike Dutta, says her role brings her great joy and she is looking forward to taking on the Deputy Lord Mayor job.
“The past seven months have been a difficult time for me, but one of the things that has brought me joy is the work that I have been able to do on council,” she said.
“It is incredibly special that I come from humble beginnings, immigrating to Tasmania with my family from Fiji and I received my Australian Citizenship in this very building in August 2000, at a time when ceremonies were not part of the proces,” she said.
“It is a beautiful feeling to feel like I belong, because belonging is such a central part of what it means to be a human being.”
“I am profoundly humbled and sincerely honoured to have the opportunity to put my hand up to nominate for the role of Deputy Lord Mayor and I hope for your support.”
Former Deputy Lord Mayor Helen Burnet was successful in her bid for a lower house seat in Tasmania’s Parliament at the March state election, joining fellow Green MP Vica Bayley in the electorate of Clark.
Fellow Greens member Gemma Kitsos was elected to fill Burnet’s seat on council.
