Susie Hawke has been sworn in as the newest City of Greater Bendigo councillor.
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The Victorian Electoral Commission officially announced Mrs Hawke as councillor-elect for the Eppalock ward on Friday afternoon.
Mrs Hawke won the most preferences in a countback on Tuesday, after the resignation of former councillor Yvonne Wrigglesworth in September.
"I am excited about the challenge ahead," Mrs Hawke told councillors on Monday morning.
"There's much to understand but I have felt very warmly welcomed by my council colleagues and the City of Greater Bendigo staff."
Mrs Hawke said her main priority as a councillor was to boost the profile of early year education in the Greater Bendigo region.
"Supporting children and families in the early years is something that is very dear to my heart," Mrs Hawke said.
"I don't want to see any child left behind because of the set of circumstances that they or their family may have been dealt."
Mayor Margaret O'Rourke welcomed Mrs Hawke at the ceremony on Monday morning.
"We will really value your expertise and knowledge," Ms O'Rourke said. "We've understood a little bit about your background.
"We'll value those early learning years, your sport and recreation knowledge and information that you will be able to impart onto us."
Mrs Hawke's first council meeting will be on Wednesday.
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