Emergency surgery for mayor

Yarra Ranges mayor Jason Callanan. 156143 Picture: JESSE GRAHAM

By Victoria Stone-Meadows

JUST weeks before the Yarra Ranges Council Elections, Mayor Jason Callanan has taken emergency sick leave to undergo surgery.
On Thursday 1 September, Cr Callanan’s wife Lisa took to his public Facebook pages to notify his followers that he had become ill.
“Cr Jason Callanan is on unexpected sick leave and will not be accessing this page for a couple of weeks,” the post said.
It is unclear what illness had befallen Cr Callanan with Yarra Ranges Council remaining tight-lipped about his condition.
The Callanan family have requested privacy while Cr Callanan recovers, but Deputy Mayor Andrew Witlox thanked everyone for their concern.
“Jason’s family is appreciative of the concern shown by many people who have asked about his condition,” Cr Witlox said.
“We ask that the privacy of Jason and his family be respected during this time to enable him to rest and recover.”
Yarra Ranges Council elections will take place in October this year, and Cr Witlox is confident Cr Callanan will have recovered by then.
“Just prior to becoming ill, Jason announced he would be contesting the 2016 council elections in the Chandler Ward,” he said.
“Jason will be able to confirm his intentions as a future candidate once nominations close on 20 September.”
Residents of Chandler Ward who have council-related matters for their ward representative are able to call his phone number, and will be directed to the relevant authority for their inquiry.