# City of Monash

The City of Monash is a local government area in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne with an area of 81.5 square kilometres and a population of 200,077 people in 2016.

## History

The City of Monash was once hunting grounds for two groups of First Nations peoples, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung in the north and the Bunurong people in the south. The City of Monash, named after World War I commander Sir John Monash and the local Monash University (established 1958), was created on 15 December 1994 when the state government amalgamated local councils all over Victoria, merging a substantial portion of the former City of Oakleigh with the whole of the former City of Waverley.

## Townships and localities

At the 2021 census, the city had a population of 190,397 up from 182,618 at the 2016 census.
Population :
| Locality | 2016 | 2021 |
| Ashwood | 6,886 | 7,154 |
| Burwood^ | 15,019 | 15,147 |
| Chadstone | 8,641 | 9,552 |
| Clayton | 19,358 | 18,988 |
| Glen Waverley | 40,327 | 42,642 |
| Hughesdale | 7,556 | 7,563 |
| Huntingdale | 1,862 | 1,949 |
| Mount Waverley | 33,611 | 35,340 |
| Mulgrave | 19,368 | 19,889 |
| Notting Hill | 3,050 | 2,895 |
| Oakleigh | 7,893 | 8,442 |
| Oakleigh East | 6,444 | 6,804 |
| Oakleigh South^ | 9,261 | 9,851 |
| Wheelers Hill | 19,753 | 20,652 |
^ - Territory divided with another LGA

## Council
### Current composition

| Party | Party | Councillors |
| | Independent Labor | 7 |
| | Independent | 4 |
| Total | Total | 11 |
The current council, elected in October 2024, is:
| Ward | Councillor | Party | Notes |
| Banksia | Cameron Little | Independent | |
| Blackburn | Rebecca Paterson | Independent Labor | |
| Gallaghers | Geoff Lake | Independent Labor | |
| Gardiners Creek | Anjalee de Silva | Independent | Member of the Greens until 2024 |
| Jells | Elisha Lee | Independent Labor | |
| Mayfield | Brian Little | Independent Labor | Deputy Mayor |
| Scotchmans Creek | Nicky Luo | Independent Labor | |
| University | Josh Fergeus | Independent | Member of the Greens until 2024 |
| Warrigal | Stuart James | Independent Labor | |
| Waverley Park | Shane McCluskey | Independent | |
| Wellington | Paul Klisaris | Independent Labor | Mayor |

### Mayors

| Mayor | Term | # |
| Peter Vlahos | 1997–1998 | 1 |
| Gill Clare | 1998–1999 | 2 |
| Peter Holdsworth | 1999–2000 | 3 |
| Matthew Evans | 2000–2001 | 4 |
| Tom Morrissey | 2001–2002 | 5 |
| Geoff Lake | 2002–2003 | 6 |
| Geoff Lake | 2003–2004 | |
| Joy Banerji | 2004 | 7 |
| Steve Dimopoulos | 2004–2005 | 8 |
| Joy Banerji | 2005–2006 | |
| Tom Morrissey | 2006–2007 | |
| Paul Klisaris | 2007–2008 | 9 |
| Paul Klisaris | 2008–2009 | |
| Charlotte Baines | 2009–2010 | 10 |
| Greg Male | 2010–2011 | 11 |
| Stefanie Perri | 2011–2012 | 12 |
| Micaela Drieberg | 2012–2013 | 13 |
| Geoff Lake | 2013–2014 | |
| Paul Klisaris | 2014–2015 | |
| Stefanie Perri | 2015–2016 | |
| Geoff Lake | 2016 | |
| Rebecca Paterson | 2016–2017 | 14 |
| Paul Klisaris | 2017–2018 | |
| Shane McCluskey | 2018–2019 | 15 |
| Stuart James | 2019–2020 | 16 |
| Brian Little | 2020–2021 | 17 |
| Stuart James | 2021–2022 | |
| Tina Samardzija | 2022–2023 | 18 |
| Nicky Luo | 2023-2024 | 19 |
| Paul Klisaris | 2024-2025 | |

## Past councillors
### Single-member wards (1997−2005)

| Year | Central | Central | Damper | Damper | Huntingdale | Huntingdale | Jell | Jell | Napier | Napier | University | University | Warrigal | Warrigal | Wellington | Wellington |
| Year | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor | Councillor |
| 1997 | | Matthew Evans (Independent) | | Tom Morrissey (Independent) | | Nick Gregory (Independent) | | Gill Clare (Independent) | | Peter Holdsworth (Independent) | | Peter Vlahos (Liberal) | | Jack Davis (Independent) | | Kathy Magee (Independent) |
| 2000 | | Matthew Evans (Independent) | | Tom Morrissey (Independent) | | Felicity Smith (Independent) | | Peter Holdsworth (Independent) | | Geoff Lake (Labor) | | Peter Vlahos (Liberal) | | Paul Klisaris (Labor) | | Kathy Magee (Independent) |
| 2003 | | Ross Smith (Independent) | | Joy Banerji (Labor) | | Steve Dimopoulos (Labor) | | Peter McCall (Independent) | | Geoff Lake (Labor) | | Brian Little (Labor) | | Vicki Bouziotis (Independent) | | Jeanne Solity (Independent) |

### Multi-member wards (2005−2024)
#### Glen Waverley Ward

| Year | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party |
| 2005 | Geoff Lake | Labor | Dane Manzie | Independent |
| 2008 | Geoff Lake | Labor | Greg Male | Independent |
| 2012 | Geoff Lake | Labor | Katrina Nolan | Independent |
| 2016 | Geoff Lake | Labor | Lynette Saloumi | Independent |
| 2018 | Geoff Lake | Labor | Lynette Saloumi | Sustainable Australia |
| 2020 | Geoff Lake | Labor | Nicky Luo | Labor |

#### Mount Waverley Ward

| Year | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party |
| 2005 | Joy Banerji | Labor | Tom Morrissey | Independent | Ryan Brown | Independent |
| 2008 | Joy Banerji | Labor | Tom Morrissey | Independent | Jieh-Yung Lo | Independent |
| 2012 | Brian Little | Labor | Tom Morrissey | Independent | Jieh-Yung Lo | Independent |
| 2013 | Brian Little | Labor | Rebecca Paterson | Independent | Jieh-Yung Lo | Independent |
| 2016 | Brian Little | Labor | Rebecca Paterson | Independent | MT Pang Tsoi | Liberal |
| 2020 | Brian Little | Labor | Rebecca Paterson | Independent | Anjalee de Silva | Greens |
| | Brian Little | Labor | Rebecca Paterson | Independent | Anjalee de Silva | Independent |

#### Mulgrave Ward

| Year | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party |
| 2005 | Paul Klisaris | Labor | Charlotte Baines | Independent | Craig Shiell | Independent |
| 2008 | Paul Klisaris | Labor | Charlotte Baines | Independent | Micaela Drieberg | Independent |
| 2012 | Paul Klisaris | Labor | Robert Davies | Liberal | Micaela Drieberg | Independent |
| 2016 | John Sharkey | Independent | Robert Davies | Liberal | Micaela Drieberg | Independent |
| 2016 | Paul Klisaris | Labor | Robert Davies | Liberal | Shane McCluskey | Independent |
| 2020 | Paul Klisaris | Labor | Tina Samardzija | Labor | Shane McCluskey | Independent |

#### Oakleigh Ward

| Year | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party | Councillor | Party |
| 2005 | Steve Dimopoulos | Labor | Denise McGill | Liberal | Gerry Kottek | Independent |
| 2008 | Steve Dimopoulos | Labor | Denise McGill | Liberal | Stefanie Perri | Labor |
| 2012 | Steve Dimopoulos | Labor | Theo Zographos | Liberal | Bill Pontikis | Independent |
| 2014 | Stefanie Perri | Labor | Theo Zographos | Liberal | Bill Pontikis | Independent |
| 2016 | Nga Hosking | Labor | Theo Zographos | Liberal | Bill Pontikis | Independent |
| 2016 | Stuart James | Labor | Theo Zographos | Liberal | Josh Fergeus | Greens |
| 2020 | Stuart James | Labor | Theo Zographos | Liberal | Josh Fergeus | Greens |
| | Stuart James | Labor | Theo Zographos | Liberal | Josh Fergeus | Independent |

## Election results
### 2024

2024 Victorian local elections: Monash :
| Party | Party | Party | Votes | % | Swing | Seats | Change |
| | Independent Labor | Independent Labor | 35,917 | 42.08 | | 7 | |
| | Independents | Independents | 30,303 | 35.51 | | 4 | 3 |
| | Independent Liberal | Independent Liberal | 9,569 | 11.21 | | 0 | 1 |
| | Greens | Greens | 6,102 | 7.15 | | 0 | 2 |
| | Libertarian | Libertarian | 1,808 | 2.12 | +2.12 | 0 | |
| | Victorian Socialists | Victorian Socialists | 1,646 | 1.93 | +1.93 | 0 | |
| Formal votes | Formal votes | Formal votes | 85,345 | 97.39 | | | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 2,290 | 2.61 | | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 87,635 | 100.00 | | 11 | |
| Registered voters / turnout | Registered voters / turnout | Registered voters / turnout | 114,010 | | | | |

### 2020

2020 Victorian local elections: Monash :
| Party | Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Independent Labor | Independent Labor | 44,343 | 45.71 | 6 |
| | Burwood Liberals | Burwood Liberals | 20,167 | 20.79 | 1 |
| | Independent | Independent | 14,907 | 15.37 | 2 |
| | Greens | Greens | 11,314 | 11.66 | 2 |
| | Independent Liberal | Independent Liberal | 4,154 | 4.28 | 0 |
| | Sustainable Australia | Sustainable Australia | 2,122 | 2.19 | 0 |
| Formal votes | Formal votes | Formal votes | 97,007 | 95.02 | |
| Informal votes | Informal votes | Informal votes | 5,080 | 4.98 | |
| Total | Total | Total | 102,087 | 100.00 | 11 |
| Registered voters / turnout | Registered voters / turnout | Registered voters / turnout | 120,823 | 84.49 | |

## Demographics

Monash has a diverse population, with 45.1% of its residents born overseas (compared to 29.0% across Melbourne), coming from more than 30 countries, with significant Chinese, UK, Greek, Indian, Malaysian and Sri Lankan populations. 42.4% of residents own their own home outright, compared to 33.1% in Melbourne, and 37.3% across Australia. The city is well educated, with 25.1% having a bachelor or higher degree (compared to 19.6% across Melbourne).
Selected historical census data for City of Monash Council local government area :
| Census Year | Census Year | 2011 | 2016 |
| Population | Estimated residents on census night | 169,280 | 182,618 |
| Population | % of Victoria population | | 3.08% |
| Population | % of Australian population | | 0.8% |
| Cultural and language diversity |||||
| Ancestry, top responses | Chinese | | 19.6% |
| Ancestry, top responses | English | | 14.7% |
| Ancestry, top responses | Australian | | 12.7% |
| Ancestry, top responses | Greek | | 5.7% |
| Ancestry, top responses | Indian | | 5.5% |
| Language, top responses (other than English) | Mandarin | | 14.7% |
| Language, top responses (other than English) | Greek | | 5.7% |
| Language, top responses (other than English) | Cantonese | | 4.8% |
| Language, top responses (other than English) | Sinhalese | | 2.5% |
| Language, top responses (other than English) | Italian | | 2.1% |
| Religious affiliation |||||
| Religious affiliation, top responses | No religion, so described | | 31.4% |
| Religious affiliation, top responses | Catholic | | 18.9% |
| Religious affiliation, top responses | Not stated | | 8.2% |
| Religious affiliation, top responses | Eastern Orthodox | | 7.3% |
| Religious affiliation, top responses | Buddhism | | 6.8% |
| Median weekly incomes |||||
| Personal income | Median weekly personal income | | A$569 |
| Personal income | % of Australian median income | | 85.95% |
| Family income | Median weekly family income | | A$1,809 |
| Family income | % of Australian median income | | 104.33% |
| Household income | Median weekly household income | | A$1,512 |
| Household income | % of Australian median income | | 105.15% |

## Schools
### State

There are 27 primary and 9 secondary state-based schools in the city of Monash.
* Ashwood High School
* Brentwood Secondary College
* Glen Waverley Secondary College
* Highvale Secondary College
* John Monash Science School
* Monash Tech School
* Mount Waverley Secondary College
* South Oakleigh Secondary College
* Wellington Secondary College
* Wheelers Hill Secondary College

### Private

* Avila College
* Caulfield Grammar School (Wheelers Hill Campus)
* Huntingtower School
* Mazenod College
* Oakleigh Grammar
* Sacred Heart Girls' College
* Salesian College
* Wesley College (Glen Waverley Campus)

## Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh)

The Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) whose collection had over 3,800 photographs reflecting the history and development of Australian photographic practice from the 19th century to today. The collection is diverse and includes many iconic images and the work of photographers recognised as nationally significant.
Speak the Wind, an exhibition of photographs by Hoda Afshar, took place from 29 April to 22 May 2022, as one of a series of official exhibitions of PHOTO 2022: International Festival of Photography, taking place in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Afshar published a book of the same name in 2021, which includes an essay by Michael Taussig and documents the landscapes and people of the islands of Hormuz, Qeshm, and Hengam, in the Persian Gulf off the south coast of Iran.

## Sporting Teams
### Soccer

* Oakleigh Cannons
* Monash City FC
* Mount Waverley Soccer Club
* Eastern Lions SC
* Brandon Park SC
* Glen Waverley SC

### Australian Rules

* Oakleigh Chargers
* Chadstone Football Club
* Monash University Football Club
* Waverley Blues
* Waverley Park Hawks JFC
* Ajax Football Club

### Netball

* Waverley Netball

## Public libraries

* Monash Public Library Service provides library service through six branch libraries: Clayton, Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Mulgrave, Oakleigh and Wheelers Hill, as well as a Home Library Service.