Welcome to tonight's special meeting of council.

My name is Phillip Storer I'm the Council's Chief Executive Officer.

I'll commence the meeting this evening with the council prayer followed by the acknowledgement of country.

Almighty God, we humbly seek your blessings upon this council. Direct and prosper its deliberations to the advancement of your glory and the true welfare of the people of the City of Boroondara.

I'd like to say the acknowledgement of the country.

I acknowledge the traditional owners as the original custodians of this land including the Wurundjeri people in the northern part of the City and pay my respects to their elders past and present and the elders from other communities who may be present with us today.

The purpose of this meeting is for the councillors-elect to take the Oath or the Affirmation of Office.

Given the recent changes to COVID-19 restrictions councillors are able to be present in the chamber for the meeting this evening which I think is terrific to see.

Unlike previous years due to COVID-19 we're not able to have members of the family or community here to attend which is unfortunate but we are going to record these proceedings and so those of you who in four years time want to ponder what you were thinking to put yourselves forward for this role you'll have a way of looking back and recording the moment when you actually took the declaration to become councillors.

What I'd like to do now is to acknowledge that all the councillors-elect are in attendance this evening.

I'm going to ask each councillor-elect in alphabetical order by wards to make their way to where I am standing and say the Oath or Affirmation of Office as you've chosen.

After saying the oath or affirmation the councillor will sign and date a document to record they've taken the Oath or Affirmation of Office.

These documents will be published as part of the minutes of this meeting.

So without further delay let's actually get started and what I'd like to do is ask our Bellevue ward councillor-elect Jim Parke to come forward and take the Oath of Office.

I Jim Parke swear by Almighty God that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

So let's congratulate Jim on becoming councillor Bellevue ward [Applause].

I'd like now to call forward Felicity Sinfield councillor-elect for Cotham ward.

I Felicity Sinfield swear by Almighty God that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

So let's congratulate Felicity Sinfield councillor for Cotham Ward [Applause].

I'd now like to call forward councillor-elect for Gardiner ward Victor Franco to take the Affirmation of Office.

I Victor Franco solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Let's congratulate Victor Gardiner ward councillor well done [Applause].

Now I'd like to call Wes Gault Glenferrie ward councillor-elect forward please.

I Wes Gault solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Let's congratulate Wes Glenferrie ward councillor well done [Applause].

I'd now like to call forward councillor-elect for Junction ward Di Gillies to take the Affirmation of Office.

I Di Gillies solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Let's congratulate Di now councillor thank you [Applause].

I'd like to call forward Lisa Hollingsworth who is the Lynden ward councillor-elect to take the Oath of Office.

I Lisa Hollingsworth swear by Almighty God that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment. Amen.

So congratulations Lisa Lynden ward councillor [Applause].

I'd now like to call forward Jane Addis councillor-elect for Maling ward.

I Jane Addis solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Congratulations Jane and you are Maling ward councillor [Applause].

I'd now like to call forward Cynthia Watson councillor-elect for Maranoa ward.

I Cynthia Watson swear by Almighty God that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Let's congratulate Cynthia Maranoa ward councillor. Thank you. [Applause].

I'd now like to call forward Susan Biggar who is the Riversdale ward councillor-elect.

I Susan Biggar solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Let's congratulate Susan who has made history as the first councillor for Riversdale ward well done [Applause].

I'd now like to call forward Garry Thompson councillor-elect for Solway ward.

I Garry Thompson swear by Almighty God that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Congratulations Garry councillor for Solway ward [Applause].

And last but certainly not least I'd like to call forward Nick Stavrou councillor-elect for Studley ward.

I Nick Stavrou swear by Almighty God that I will undertake the duties of the office of Councillor in the best interests of the municipal community. 

I will abide by the Councillor Code of Conduct and uphold the standards of conduct set out in the Councillor Code of Conduct. 

I will faithfully and impartially carry out and exercise the functions, powers, authorities, and discretions vested in me under the Local Government Act 2020 and any other Act to the best of my skill and judgment.

Congratulations Nick councillor for Studley ward well done [Applause].

Councillors I can say that now, congratulations to all of you and that brings tonight's proceedings to a close.

For all those who have been able to join us I'd like to say thank you and again wish you all well so goodbye for now thank you.