Former Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp accepts shock new role just weeks after quitting

The former Lord Mayor of Melbourne has accepted a new position as a fellow at one of Australia’s top universities.

Sally Capp, 56, has already started her new role as Vice Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of Melbourne.

Ms. Capp left office on June 28 after six years as mayor, saying at the time that she had “no plans” for the next phase of her career.

During her new two-year fellowship, she will be based at the Faculty of Business and Economics and the broader university community.

Ms Capp said she was “delighted” with her new job.

“I look forward to making a positive contribution to the Faculty of Economics and Business and the university over the next two years,” she said.

Professor Duncan Maskell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, described Ms Capp as an “outstanding leader”.

“Sally was an outstanding leader who always championed the people and the many unique elements that make Melbourne one of the greatest cities in the world,” said Professor Duncan Maskell.

‘This became clearer than ever during the global pandemic, as Sally guided Melbourne through one of its darkest times.

‘Sally also has a long and successful business career combined with her involvement in various charities and not-for-profit organisations. Her experience and acumen will be a boost to the Faculty of Business and Economics and the University.’

Ms Capp was elected the 104th Lord Mayor of Melbourne in a special election after her predecessor, Robert Doyle resigned in February 2018.

She took office on May 24 of that year and said in her farewell speech that it was “a good time for her to step down.”

Ms Capp said her time as mayor had been an “extraordinary experience” and she was “delighted” to start her new job.

Ms Capp will be succeeded by Deputy Mayor Nicholas Reece, who has nominated Melbourne Councillor Roshena Campbell as his replacement for the October election.

Mr Reece, a former Labor Party adviser, and Ms Campbell, a former Liberal Party candidate, will be the first time a Labor/Liberal party has run for mayor since the current electoral system was introduced in 1996.

Mr Wood previously ran for mayor, but finished third in 2020, losing to Ms Capp.

Several other candidates have thrown themselves into the ring for the upcoming mayoral elections, including fformer deputy mayor Aaron Wood.

The Greens team of Roxane Ingleton and Marley McRae McLeod have also announced their candidacy, as has football legend Anthony Koutoufides.

Koutoufides, 51, who played for Carlton in the 1990s and early 2000s and won Dancing With The Stars in 2006, announced his participation on Wednesday.

“Your voices need to be heard and the last quarter has just begun,” he said.

‘Vote for a better Melbourne.’

Football legend and Dancing With The Stars winner Anthony Koutoufides has also announced that he will run for mayor in the city’s October elections.