A Telangana native with ties to Hyderabad, Sandhya Reddy, has secured the position of deputy mayor in the Strathfield Council of Sydney, Australia. The election took place during a Strathfield Council meeting on September 5, with Karen Pensabane assuming the role of mayor and Sandhya, affectionately known as Sandy, assuming the deputy mayor position.
The Telugu community warmly welcomed this achievement, expressing pride in having a representative from Telangana hold such a significant position in Strathfield.
This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time an Indian-Australian has been elected as deputy mayor in Strathfield Council. The council officially announced, “The council is pleased to announce that councillor Sandy Reddy is elected as deputy mayor. We would like to congratulate Sandy Reddy on her election as deputy mayor.” Sandhya Reddy, who ran as an independent candidate, was elected to the Strathfield Council in December 2021.
During her victory speech, Sandhya Reddy expressed her unwavering commitment to serving the people of Strathfield and enhancing the transparency and accountability of the council. She made a solemn pledge to collaborate closely with the Mayor and fellow councillors to elevate the overall quality of life for every resident within the community.
BRS NRI coordinator Mahesh Bigala expressed immense pride in the election of a candidate from Telangana to the position of deputy mayor, noting the warm reception Sandhya Reddy received within the Telugu community. He underscored the significance of this milestone by highlighting that it marked the first occasion an individual of Indian-Australian descent had been elected to the role of deputy mayor.
Sandhya Reddy journey began in Hyderabad, where she pursued her education before relocating to Australia following her marriage in 1991. Originating from Khairatabad, Sandhya completed her Intermediate studies at Stanley College and later obtained her law degree and a postgraduate degree from Osmania University.
She worked as an immigration lawyer and received recognition for her outstanding contributions to the community when she was honoured with the ‘Strathfield Citizen of the Year’ award in 2020.
One of her notable achievements was the installation of a bust of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao at the Homebush Community Centre in Strathfield through her tireless efforts.
