Hyams dons mayoral robes again
Well known Jewish communal figure and long-time Glen Eira councillor Jamie Hyams has been elected Mayor of Glen Eira for a third time.
WELL known Jewish communal figure and long-time Glen Eira councillor Jamie Hyams has been elected Mayor of Glen Eira for a third time.
Formerly a solicitor, Hyams, a Glen Eira resident for many years, served as mayor in 2012 and 2013. Now in his fourth term as a councillor in Tucker Ward, he was elected to the mayoralty unopposed by fellow councillors at their October 31 meeting.
Addressing councillors after his election, Hyams said, “I am stepping into some big shoes taking over from outgoing mayor Tony Athanasopoulos, and ‘outgoing mayor’ was actually an apt description of Tony when he was mayor, because he distinguished himself with his friendliness and his warmth, which I know were greatly appreciated and admired by our community.”
Hyams also congratulated Joel Silver, a first-term councillor in Camden Ward, who was elected deputy mayor. Silver brought proposals for a Holocaust memorial artwork or sculpture before the council last year.
“Joel brings his barrister’s intellect and talent for analysis to our discussions, and has a close connection to his local community. I look forward to working with you,” he said.
Hyams said while councillors often disagree on issues, “we do so with respect for each other’s views, and with the understanding that we all have the same aim – to do what is best for the community.
“The camaraderie I mentioned before actually goes beyond the councillor group, to our directors who are here alongside me,” he said.
Speaking to The AJN, Hyams said he hopes to lead councillors in their work with the state government and the Caulfield Racecourse Reserve Trust to achieve better public access and community facilities in the massive open space at the centre of the racecourse. He will also lead the planning for a dog agility park adjoining the racecourse.
Aside from that, Hyams has his eye on upgrading sporting facilities, establishing a community garden in Moorleigh, and setting up a far more user-friendly council website.
Hyams first ran for council in 2003. “I saw that as a way of increasing my community involvement and contributing more to the local community.”
In the Jewish community, he was executive director of Maccabi Victoria, and was president of the Maccabi cricket club. “I still play for them when council duties allow me.”
Hyams is currently on leave from his position as a senior policy analyst and staff writer at the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.
PETER KOHN
comments