Deputy Mayors of Bangladeshi origin appear to be becoming something of a local trend, with Cr Eliza Rahman elected Camden’s new Deputy Mayor at the latest Council meeting.
Her elevation comes just weeks after Cr Masood Choudhury took on the second-in-command role at neighbouring Campbelltown Council, following in the footsteps of Cr Masud Khalil, who previously held the post and now has his sights firmly set on the State seat of Macquarie Fields.
Rahman was elected to Camden Council on the Labor ticket in 2024 and is among a small but growing group of Bangladeshi-Australian women breaking ground in local government.
She follows Dr Sabrin Farooqui and Sajeda Akter Sanjida, who were elected to Cumberland and Canterbury-Bankstown councils respectively in 2021.
Cr Rahman said she was excited to step into the new role.
“I can’t wait to continue to serve this wonderful community in my new position. I look forward to all the things we can achieve together,” she said.
Heading Camden’s new leadership team is Mayor Cr Vince Ferreri, who has immediately put the rapidly growing region’s infrastructure needs firmly on his agenda.
“I’m a passionate Camden local who loves my neighbourhood, loves my community and loves being part of such a wonderful place,” Ferreri said.
First elected to Council in October 2024, Ferreri said strong advocacy would be critical as Camden grapples with the demands of extraordinary population growth.
“Camden is one of the fastest growing local government areas in the country, with 100 new residents moving in each week,” he said.
“It’s an exciting time to be in this unique position and I’m committed to working in partnership with other levels of government to ensure infrastructure keeps pace with our growth.”
With Ferreri in the mayoral chair and Rahman beside him as Deputy, Camden’s new leadership team takes the reins at a pivotal time for one of Sydney’s fastest-growing communities.
