By YASEMIN TALAT
HOBSONS BAY Wetlands ward councillor and former Deputy Mayor Luba Grigorovitch has resigned from council to concentrate on her new position as a union State Secretary.
Cr Grigorovitch was appointed to the position of State Secretary of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union in November last year following the retirement of its former head Trevor Dobbyn.
At 28, she made history as the first woman and youngest ever person to step up to the role as state secretary of the 8000 member RTBU.
Cr Grigorovitch said the unexpected career shift meant she could no longer fully dedicate her time to the Hobsons Bay community.
“It wasn’t a decision that I made easily but I feel that it’s the right thing to do by the community,” Cr Grigorovitch said.
“The job expects me to perform 150 per cent and therefore I just wouldn’t be able to do the council or the community justice,” she said.
“I really want to stay on as councillor, I love my team and we’ve got a great group, but I don’t think it’s the right thing by the community because my heart and soul would be dedicated to the union,” she said.
During her time on council, Cr Grigorovitch was also a former Deputy Mayor and was elected on the board of the Victorian Local Government Association.
She is also the Hobsons Bay Women’s Charter Champion and established the Women’s Advisory Committee to give local women a stronger voice.
Cr Grigorovitch said the highlight of her time in council had been advocating for the minority groups.
“Whether it is women, homeless youth, or youth or homeless people, I’m not afraid to speak out and I’ve always fought for equal funding down my neck of the woods, so I’m quite proud of my time on council,” she said.
Cr Grigorovitch said being a councillor was immensely rewarding and wanted to thank the community for voting for her.
“It’s been an honour and privilege to serve as councillor for the last five and half years and I would like to thank the voters for having the confidence in me to fulfil this duty,” she said.
The Victorian Electoral Commission will conduct a count back on previous election results to fill the vacancy, in accordance with the Local Government Act.
