As Holly Fishlock writes, Councillor Kerridge has pitched new solutions for Newcastle.

University of Newcastle Associate Professor Ross Kerridge has won the Newcastle Lord Mayoral election, narrowly beating Labor incumbent Nuatali Nelmes by less than 5000 votes.

It was a close race- but who is our new Lord Mayor?

Dr Kerridge is a lifelong Novocastrian who has dedicated his career to public health as a senior staff specialist anaesthetist at John Hunter Hospital and an Associate Professor at the University.

As Lord Mayor, Dr Kerridge says he hopes to continue teaching as it’s been a career highlight.

“I hope I’ll still get a chance to do some teaching,” he told Yak.

“Teaching the medical students has been one of the great joys of my life.”

Dr Kerridge ran under a campaign titled Our Newcastle, which pushed for reigning in rate rises and reducing expenditure involved in so-called “vanity projects” completed by the previous Council. A groundswell of support for his election took off when he publically opposed building a new basketball stadium on parkland near McDonald Jones Stadium.

Outgoing Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes recently took a swipe at Our Newcastle’s advertising, telling the Newcastle Herald it was the “dirtiest campaign I’ve witnessed in Newcastle’s history.”

As Lord Mayor, Dr Kerridge says he’s committing to bringing people together through community forums, and is thankful for the support he received during the campaign.

“A highlight has been the number of people who came on board and got involved, some of whom hardly knew me, but were attracted by the ideas I was pushing about rebuilding a sense of community in our city,” he says.

“Some of the people I’ve met in campaign have been absolutely inspiring.”

In recent years, young people have become more interested in political careers, with Newcastle Liberal Callum Pull being elected Deputy Mayor at 23 years old.

Dr Kerridge says he’s met many young people who are interested in politics, but says he encourages them to gain valuable life experience before pursuing a career in the field.

“We’ve seen a phenomenon of people getting into a political career almost from school, and certainly from the time they graduate. I don’t think that’s necessarily a good thing,” he said.

“We want people who have a broad and diverse range of experiences in life, in careers and involvement in the community.”

He encourages students to pursue politics one step at a time.

“Get involved as a member of a party, or as a member of community groups and contribute that way,” he said.

For more information about the recent elections and more Newcastle Stories, check out Newcastle Tonight.