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Wiradjuri woman enters race for Sydney Lord Mayor

Yvonne Weldon is the first Aboriginal candidate to run for Sydney's mayorship and has spent more than 20 years working in key First Nations and government organisations in the country.

Proud Wiradjuri woman and Sydney mayoral candidate Yvonne Weldon

The first Aboriginal person elected to the City of Sydney Council, Yvonne Weldon. Source: NITV News: Nadine Silva

Wiradjuri woman Yvonne Weldon has announced her candidacy for the City of Sydney’s mayorship at her local community in Redfern.

Ms Weldon, who attended public school in the suburb, will take on current mayor Clover Moore as well as Labor councillor Linda Scott.

She says her tilt at the high-profile job is centred on achieving equality.

“As we emerge from the pandemic, I’ll put fairness and unity at the heart of Sydney's recovery programme," she said.

"I want to rebuild an even better, greener and fairer Sydney where no one is left behind.” she said.

Ms Weldon is currently the Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, Deputy Chair of the New South Wales Australia Day Council, a Board member of Domestic Violence NSW and a Board member of Redfern Jarjum College.

She’s spent more than 20 years working in key First Nations and government organisations across the country.

Ms Weldon was originally supporting the mayoral campaign of Dr Kerryn Phelps, who was forced to withdraw due to the health of a close family member.

Now, the roles are reversed, with Ms Phelps describing Ms Weldon as "kind, compassionate, inclusive and in touch" with community.

“Not only are you the first Indigenous candidate, if you're elected to the council you'll be the first Indigenous councillor at the City of Sydney." she said.

The election for the City of Sydney will be held on September 4th.
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Sydney mayoral candidate Yvonne Weldon and Dr Kerryn Phelps AM

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2 min read
Published 14 May 2021 7:53pm
Updated 14 May 2021 8:00pm
By Nadine Silva
Source: NITV News


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