On 15 December 1994, most of the City of Dandenong, City of Springvale, as well as small parts of the City of Berwick and Cranbourne were proclaimed the City of Greater Dandenong.
The Victorian Government restructured local government in Victoria, dissolving 210 councils and creating 78 new councils through amalgamations. The new local government areas were headed by commissioners appointed by the Victorian Government. They were in office until 1997 when the first City of Greater Dandenong Council was democratically elected.
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City of Greater Dandenong Mayors 1997 - Present
2022-23
Eden Foster
Yarraman Ward Councillor Eden Foster was elected to Council in 2020, serving as Deputy Mayor from 2021-22.
Cr Foster grew up in Springvale and Noble Park and is proud to represent a Council that will continue to work to support the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all residents.
2021-22
Jim Memeti
Dandenong Ward Councillor Jim Memeti has been elected Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong for the fifth time, having previously served in the role in 2010, 2014, 2017 and 2019.
Jim was first elected to Council in 2005. Having lived in Greater Dandenong for over 40 years, Mayor Memeti shares a similar background to many of our residents having migrated to Australia at a young age.
2020-21
Angela Long
Councillor Angela Long grew up in Springvale, then moved to Dandenong where she raised her family and became an active member of the community.
In 1997, Angela was a councillor for the City of Greater Dandenong from 1997 until 2005, during which time she held the office of Mayor in 2000. She was re-elected as a councillor in 2008 and was elected Mayor in 2012 and 2021.
2019-20
Jim Memeti
October - November 2019
Youhorn Chea
Cr Youhorn Chea has served as a Councillor for 20 years, and was elected Mayor in 2001, 2007, 2012, 2017 and interim Mayor October - November 2019.
Cr Chea has lived in Greater Dandenong since he fled Cambodia in 1982. Using his own experience living in refugee camps and building a new life for his family, Cr Chea wants to inspire refugees and migrants living in this city.
2018-19
Roz Blades AM
Cr Roz Blades AM has served the Greater Dandenong community as a Councillor for more than 25 years, having been Mayor in 1998-99, 2010-11 amd 2018-19 as well as serving one term as the Mayor of the City of Springvale. Cr Blades retired from the City of Greater Dandenong in October 2019.
As Mayor, Cr Blades has themed the Mayoral year ‘working together’, and is committed to working with her fellow Councillors, Council staff and the community to ensure the City of Greater Dandenong continues to be a vibrant, welcoming and connected community.
2017-18
Youhorn Chea
2016-17
Jim Memeti
2015-16
Heang Tak
Councillor Heang Tak has been a resident of Greater Dandenong for over 20 years and a member of Council since 2012. He was elected as a councillor for Paperback Ward.
As an active community member and Councillor he has had an opportunity to listen to and connect with people from all walks of life who call Greater Dandenong home, to listen to their needs and to support them through their challengers.
2014-15
Sean O-Reilly
Councillor Sean O’Reilly lives in Springvale with his wife and three children. He is an active member of the community, has been interested in politics since Year 10 and says he learned at a young age that there was great knowledge and success to be gained by listening to and subsequently helping people.
In 2012, Sean ran in the City of Greater Dandenong Council elections and received the highest primary vote in the municipality. He was elected as a councillor for Lightwood Ward and was Mayor in 2015.
2013-14
Jim Memeti
2012-13
Angela Long
2011-12
Youhorn Chea
Councillor Youhorn Chea has served as a councillor for the City of Greater Dandenong since 1997. He created history on 2001 as the first Cambodian-born Mayor in Australia. He has completed two more terms as Mayor - in 2007 and 2012.
Youhorn has lived in the City of Greater Dandenong since fleeing the killing fields of Cambodia in 1982. He speaks three languages and as a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and Graduate Diploma of Arts and Human Services.
2010-11
Roz Blades AM
Councillor Roz Blades has a long affiliation with the Greater Dandenong community, both as a resident and councillor, since moving to Noble Park from the UK in 1969. She was first elected as a councillor with the former City of Springvale in 1987 and has since served three mayoral terms - in 1992 (City of Springvale), 1998 and 2010 (City of Greater Dandenong).
In 2012, Roz was the recipient of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List and was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her contribution to the community over the past three decades.
2009-10
Jim Memeti
2008-09
Pinar Yesil
Pinal Yesil became a councillor in 2005 and was elected Council’s first Muslim Mayor at the age of 28 in 2008. While studying an arts/social sciences degree, she worked as an electorate officer and volunteer in State Parliament.
Pinar also worked as a union representative for the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association.
2007-08
John Kelly
Councillor John Kelly has lived in Dandenong his entire life, including raising his family and establishing his plumbing business in 1978.
John was first elected as a councillor in 1991 with the former City of Dandenong and was then re-elected in 1997 as a councillor with the City of Greater Dandenong. He was elected Mayor in 2007.
2006-07
Youhorn Chea
2005-06
Peter Brown
Councillor Peter Brown was first elected as a councillor with the former City of Springvale in 1987. He ran until 1991, was re-elected in 1992 and ran until amalgations in 1994. He was then elected as a councillor with the City of Greater Dandenong in 2003 and elected Mayor in 2005.
Peter is a qualified accountant, lawyer and secondary school teacher and has taught at various secondary schools in Springvale South for more than 14 years.
2004-05
Maria Sampey
Councillor Maria Sampey was born in Italy and migrated to Australia at the age of 7. She moved to Greater Dandenong in the 1970's and it is where she raised her family and became actively involved in local issues.
Maria was first elected to Council in 2000 and was elected Mayor in 2004.
2004
Clare O’Neil
Clare O’Neil was elected to Council in 2003. One year later, in March 2004, she became Australia’s youngest female Mayor at the age of 23.
Claire O’Neil left local government in 2005 to take up and successfully complete a scholarship in Law at Harvard University. In 2013, she was elected as the Federal Member for Hotham.
2003-04
Kevin Walsh RFD
Kevin Walsh was a resident in the City of Greater Dandenong for 14 years and an active member of the community prior to being elected as a councillor in 2000.
His prior involvement in the community included Treasurer of the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau, Chairperson of the Eastern Ring Road Steering Committee and Treasurer of the Eastern Region Mental Health Association as well as being a member of the Department of Defence Army Reserves. In 2003, he was elected Mayor.
2002-03
Paul Donovan
Paul Donovan grew up in Dandenong where he attended both local primary and secondary schools before completing a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Paul Donovan was elected to Council in 1997 and was elected Mayor in 2002.
2001-02
Youhorn Chea
2000-01
Angela Long
1999-2000
Naim Melhem
After migrating from Lebanon in 1977, Naim Melhem moved to the former City of Springvale where he settled and opened his first milk bar.
He soon became actively involved in local politics and was elected as a councillor with the City of Springvale in 1993 and then with the City of Greater Dandenong in 1997. in 1999, he was the first Lebanese Mayor to be elected in Victoria.
1998-99
Roz Blades AM
1997-98
Greg Harris
Greg Harris was an active member of the Dandenong community for many years prior to him being elected to a three year term as a councillor from 1997-2000.
In 1997, he became the first elected Mayor of the City of Greater Dandenong.
City of Greater Dandenong Councillors 1997-present
- 2019 November-2021, Councillor Peter Brown
- 2019-current, Councillor Sophie Tan
- 2016-current, Councillor Tim Dark
- 2016-2021, Councillor Zaynoun Melhem
- 2012-2021, Councillor Matthew Kirwan
- 2012-current, Councillor Sean O’Reilly
- 2012-2018, Councillor Heang Tak
- 2008-current, Councillor Loi Truong
- 2005-2008, Alan Gordon
- 2005-current, Councillor Jim Memeti
- 2005-2008, Sue Walton
- 2005-2012, Pinar Yesil
- 2003-2016, Councillor Peter Brown
- 2003-2005, David Kelly
- 2003-2005, Clare O’Neil
- 2000-2003, Geraldine Gonsalvez
- 2000-2021 Councillor Maria Sampey
- 2000-2005, Kevin Walsh
- 1997-2019, Councillor Roz Blades
- 1997-2021, Councillor Youhorn Chea
- 1997-2016, Councillor John Kelly
- 1997-2012, Paul Donovan
- 1997-2000, Greg Harris
- 1997-2000, Sharon Harris
- 1997-2003 and 2005-2012, Yvonne Herring
- 1997-2005 and 2008-current, Councillor Angela Long
- 1997-2005, Naim Melhem
- 1997-2000, Phil Reed
- 1997-2003, Dale Wilson
City of Greater Dandenong Commissioners 1994-1997
- Chief Commissioner: Ian Cathie
- Commissioner: John Nixon
- Commissioner: Margaret Nicholls
Shire of Springvale and Noble Park/City of Springvale
The areas of Springvale and Noble Park were governed by the Dandenong District Roads Board and then the Shire of Dandenong until 1955. The Shire of Dandenong was renamed the Shire of Springvale and Noble Park on 24 May 1955. A week later on 31 May 1955, the Shire of Dandenong was reformed when that area split away from the Shire of Springvale and Noble Park.
On 14 May 1959, the Shire of Springvale and Noble Park was renamed the City of Springvale.
The City of Springvale ceased to exist with the creation of the City of Greater Dandenong on 15 December 1994.
Prior to 14 May 1959, the Mayor was known as the Shire President.
Shire of Dandenong/City of Dandenong
The Shire of Dandenong was constituted on 7 May 1873. The members of the Dandenong District Roads Board automatically became the members of the first Council.
Both Springvale and Dandenong were governed by the Dandenong District Roads Board and then the Shire of Dandenong until 1955, when Springvale and Noble Park split from the Shire of Dandenong to form the Shire of Springvale and Nobel Park.
The Shire of Dandenong was declared a 'City' on 14 May 1959 and from then on was known as the City of Dandenong.
The City of Dandenong ceased to exist with the creation of the Greater Dandenong Council on 15 December 1994.
Prior to 14 May 1959, the Mayor was known as the 'Shire President'.
List of Shire of Dandenong/City of Dandenong Mayors and Councillors 1873-1994 - 336KB
Dandenong District Roads Board
The first local government administration body was the Dandenong District Roads Board which functioned from 1862 to 1873.
The Shire of Dandenong was constituted on 7 May 1873. The members of the Dandenong District Roads Board automatically became the members of the first Council.
Both Springvale and Dandenong were governed by the Dandenong District Roads Board and then the Shire of Dandenong until 1955, when Springvale and Noble Park split from the Shire of Dandenong to form the Shire of Springvale and Noble Park.
List of Dandenong District Roads Board members 1862-1873 - 218KB
1997-2003