Councillor Sue Heins has been re-elected as the Mayor of the Northern Beaches and Councillor Georgia Ryburn was elected Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Heins who represents the Curl Curl Ward, was first elected to Council in 2012. She will hold the position of Mayor until the next Mayoral election in September 2024.
Mayor Heins said she graciously accepts the role and is honoured to be represent Council and the community.
“While I have been in the position for a short time, I am humbled that my fellow Councillors have confidence and trust in me to continue as Mayor.
“I look forward to getting on with the job and working with all my colleagues to achieve great things over the next year.” Mayor Heins said.
The Council also voted to appoint Councillor Georgia Ryburn as the new Deputy Mayor.
Councillor Ryburn has served on Northern Beaches Council for more than two years representing the Manly Ward. The position of Deputy is a 12-month appointment and is peer voted annually.
Mayor Sue Heins congratulated the new Deputy Mayor Ryburn on her appointment.
“Congratulations to Councillor Ryburn on being elected as Deputy Mayor. I look forward to working together as we serve our wonderful Northern Beaches community,” Mayor Heins said.
“Councillor Ryburn is an active Councillor and brings a wealth of experience to this role which I am confident will benefit our community.
“I’d also like to acknowledge and thank Councillor David Walton for his commitment to the role of Deputy Mayor over the few months,” she added.
Deputy Mayor Ryburn said she was looking forward to bringing a fresh perspective to the role.
“I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Mayor and thank my fellow Councillors for their support and endorsement,” Deputy Mayor Ryburn said.
About Mayor Sue Heins
Mayor Heins has served as a councillor since 2012, on both Warringah and Northern Beaches Councils. She was first elected as Mayor in May 2023, following Mayor Michael Regan’s resignation as Mayor. She has also served as Deputy Mayor for three terms.
Mayor Heins has lived and worked on the Northern Beaches for over 25 years. She has supported the local small business community passionately for many years, running networking events and facilitating mentoring programs. She is the former President of the Warringah Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Mayor Heins is also involved with several charities and is currently Chairperson of Women & Children First (domestic violence services) and Women’s Healing Sanctuary. In 2015, Cr Heins received the Minister’s Award for Women in Local Government for her outstanding contributions to Council and the community.
About Deputy Mayor Georgia Ryburn
Georgia Ryburn is a Senior Manager at a professional services firm and has demonstrated expertise in leadership and strategic thinking. As a management consultant, Georgia specialises in evidence-based policy reform, strategy, process improvement and stakeholder engagement, having worked across multiple industries and sectors.
She has a BA (Media and Communications) and Masters of Business Management from Sydney University, both on full academic scholarships, and was awarded Dean of Business Scholar Award for outstanding academic excellence. She is a graduate member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Councillor Ryburn is a fourth-generation Northern Beaches local and having grown up here and now raising her family here, knows the everyday pressures of her community.
Raised in Balgowlah, she attended Balgowlah Heights Primary and then St Luke’s Grammar School, Dee Why. Georgia and her husband of seven years recently welcomed their second baby in June 2023.
Under the Local Government Act 1993, Council may elect one of its members as Deputy Mayor and they may exercise any function of the Mayor at the request of the Mayor or if the Mayor is prevented by illness or absence.
Find out more about the elected Council here.
Media release provided by Northern Beaches Council, 27th September 2023