By Violet Li
Michelle Crowther won the 2024 Casey Council election and will represent Cranbourne Gardens Ward in the next four years.
Ms Crowther addressed the public at the result declaration in Bunjil Place on Friday 8 November.
She said it was an honour and a privilege to be elected.
“Still in a little bit of shock. It’s been a huge team effort, and I really appreciate the help of my friends and family. It has kind of consumed their lives for the last couple of months,” she said.
“I look forward to this opportunity and making a difference for our community and being a strong voice for the southern parts of Casey.
“And I look forward to learning more and meeting people and working forwards.”
To be elected in Cranbourne Gardens Ward, a candidate is required to secure an absolute majority vote of 8168.
Michelle Crowther led the primary vote and every round of preferential distribution.
For the primary vote, Michelle Crowther won a significant number of 5279 votes, 1391 votes ahead of the second spot Anthony Lake, who secured 3888 votes. Tamas Kapitany had 3013 votes, Jo Muir 1627, Blessing Nhliziyo 1315 and Mary Beth Melton 1213.
In the first round of preferential distribution, Michelle Crowther and Jo Muir received a similar number of preference votes from Mary Beth Melton, where the former obtained 317 votes and the latter 310. Tamas Kapitany received 196 votes, while he and Mary Beth Melton publicly preferenced each other.
In the second round of preferential distribution, Blessing Nhliziyo’s 1509 votes went to the voters’ next preferred candidate. Tamas Kapitany received 467 votes out of the pool, Michelle Crowther 389, Jo Muir 335, and Anthony Lake 318.
In the third round, half of Jo Muir’s 2272 votes were passed down to Michelle Crowther.
In the fourth round, Michelle Crowther received 2363 preference votes from Tamas Kapitany. She won the ward with 9469 votes, 2603 votes ahead of the second spot Anthony Lake.
