2005 ED Awards - Leadership (elected)

Cr David Vendy, Mayor, City of Ballarat

Councillor David Vendy has been Mayor of Ballarat for the past five years and during this time he has initiated a number of project that have contributed greatly to the community's growth and sustainability.

Prior to entering local government, Cr Vendy was involved in rail freight, which helps to explain his active involvement in the regional fast rail project and the establishment of an intermodal freight hub in Ballarat at the Walsh estate.

Cr Vendy's commitment to the rail projects has contributed to Ballarat's success in attracting grants worth $8.3 million for the establishment of the Ballarat intermodal freight hub, and significant amounts for the redevelopment of Ballarat Train Station.

He has worked closely with the Western Highway Action Group to facilitate the early construction of the Deer Park By Pass, which was announced earlier this year, and he is currently seeking to have a bus interchange installed as part of the redevelopment of the Ballarat Civic Hall.

In the social arena, Cr Vendy has assisted with the development of the Ballarat India Australia Association, initiating a strong push by Ballarat for better ties with India and succeeding in having India adopted by Ballarat as a second country during the Commonwealth Games, with over 1000 closing ceremony performers to stay in Ballarat, and the Australia versus India basketball being hosted in Ballarat.

In the business field, Cr Vendy has been involved in facilitating the establishment of a number of businesses in Ballarat, including IBM, South Pacific Tyres, Frontline Australasia and I Glass. He has also been involved in a joint project with BRACE known as Micronet that provides for networking and sharing of resources by small businesses.