Thomas Prince (mayor)
Thomas Prince | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo | |
| Assumed office 10 November 2025 | |
| Deputy | Karren Corr |
| Preceded by | Andrea Metcalf |
| Councillor of the City of Greater Bendigo for Lake Weeroona Ward | |
| Assumed office 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1990[1] |
| Party | Independent |
Thomas Prince is an Australian politician and bar worker who served as the mayor of the City of Greater Bendigo since 2025 and has served as a councillor since 2024.[1][2][3]
Political career
Prince contested the 2016 Victorian local elections in Whipstick Ward coming fifth out of ten candidates, and winning 11.66% of the primary vote, but was not successful.[4][5] He ran again in the 2020 Victorian local elections, winning 11.72% of the primary vote, but was once again not successful.[6] In the 2020 election, Prince stated that waste management was the biggest issue in the election.[7]
Prince was elected to the Greater Bendigo City Council in the 2024 Victorian local elections where he received 54.03% of the vote in Lake Weeroona Ward.[8][9] Prior to his election, Prince stated that his repeated candidacy demonstrated a commitment to "longevity and commitment to serving the people," positioning himself as a strong voice independent of political parties.[10] He once again identified waste management and recycling as a key issue, stating, "We spend far too much money dealing with our waste," and also advocated for better infrastructure in regional areas.[10]
In June 2025, a notice of motion was presented to council concerning the Gaza genocide by Victorian Socialists Councillor Owen Cosgriff.[11] Prince seconded a procedural move to suspend the normal rules and hold an immediate vote on the motion, foregoing any debate.[12] He was one of four councillors who voted for this procedure. When the main motion was then voted on, Prince voted against its adoption.[12][13]
In November 2025, Prince was elected as mayor by the Council, with Karen Corr as his deputy.[14][15] Upon his election, Prince stated that "I want to make council more open, more approachable, more grounded in real conversation".[14]
Prince has expressed a view that partisan politics is detrimental to local government, and has advocated for a non-partisan approach to council operations with political parties playing no role.[16][1]
References
- ^ a b c "City of Greater Bendigo, Lake Weeroona,". Bendigo Times. 14 October 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ McLean, Darren (11 November 2025). "Prince, Corr take top positions at City of Greater Bendigo council table". Bendigo Times. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bendigo welcomes new Mayor and Deputy Mayor". www.bendigo.vic.gov.au. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "2016 council election results". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Council election candidates 2016 | Final list". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bendigo City Council election results 2020". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Gen Y council candidates say politicians not connecting with Aussies". ABC News. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ VEC. "Results". www.vec.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "'Truly a blessing': City of Greater Bendigo councillors officially declared". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 11 November 2024. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ a b "'Not a flash in the pan': Thomas Prince draws strength from past losses". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Cr Owen Cosgriff puts the Israel-Gaza conflict on Bendigo council agenda". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 17 June 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ a b "Council Meeting June 16, 2025 | City of Greater Bendigo". www.bendigo.vic.gov.au. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 11 November 2025.
- ^ "Thomas Prince announces second campaign for Bendigo council". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ a b "New mayor took three goes to get onto council. He does not give up easily". www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au. 10 November 2025. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ "Greater Bendigo Welcomes New Mayor And Deputy Mayor". Mirage News. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
- ^ Prikhodko, Aleksandr (25 September 2025). "What drives younger people into politics?". upstart. Retrieved 11 November 2025.