Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp Accepts New Role
Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has accepted a new role just six weeks after quitting her job at Melbourne City Council.
Ms Capp stood down as Melbourne Lord Mayor in June, six years after first being elevated to the office in a special election that followed the resignation of Robert Doyle.
In an “emotional” press conference announcing her decision, Ms Capp said being Lord Mayor had been an “extraordinary experience” but that the city was on an “undeniably positive” trajectory and it was “a good time for me to stand aside”.
In June Ms Capp said that while she had “no plans” for her post-council career, she planned to “return to the private sector”.
However, the ex-Lord Mayor has now accepted a role in academia, becoming a Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne.
The two-year appointment will see Ms Capp undertake a program of work across the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the wider University community.
University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said Ms Capp had already made an “enormous contribution” to the community and would now be undertaking a program of work across the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the wider University community, over the next two years.
“Sally was an outstanding leader who always maintained a strong advocacy for the people and the many unique elements that make Melbourne one of the world’s great cities,” Professor Duncan Maskell said.
“This was never more evident than during the global pandemic when Sally steered Melbourne through some of its darkest times.
“Sally has also combined a long and successful business career with her involvement in several charities and not-for-profit organisations. Her experience and acumen will provide a boost to the Faculty of Business and Economics and the University.”
Ms Capp said she was “delighted” to be appointed as a Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow.
“I am looking forward to making a positive contribution to the Faculty of Business and Economics and the University over the next two years,” she said.
In announcing the appointment, Melbourne University said Ms Capp would spend the next two years undertaking “a program of work across the Faculty of Business and Economics, and the wider University community”.
Ms Capp’s resignation from city council saw Deputy Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece elevated to the top job, with the former Labor Party adviser recently announcing Melbourne councillor Roshena Campbell – a former Liberal candidate for the federal electorate of Aston – as his running mate at the upcoming October election.
The partnership is the first time Labor and Liberal Party members have teamed up to run for the top two Melbourne City Council positions since the current electoral system was established in 1996.
Former deputy lord mayor Aaron Wood has also announced his candidacy for the top job, having come third behind Team Sally Capp and Greens in 2020.
Other candidates that have announced include Greens Party team of Roxane Ingleton and Marley McRae McLeod, and former Carlton football legend Anthony Koutoufides.
