Central Ward ticket is led by Clr Shweta Deshpande and your candidates are Clr Shweta Deshpande and Deputy Mayor Daniel Han.
For over twenty years, Councillor Shweta Deshpande has called North Ryde and Australia home, built her career and raising her two children in a community she deeply cares about.
As a dedicated professional in the pharmaceutical industry, Shweta has won multiple innovation awards for lateral thinking and providing solutions to manage cross functional teams effectively and efficiently. Shweta is the Ryde Liberal’s first Councillor of Indian heritage and became Ryde’s first Deputy Mayor of South Asian descent in 2022. She has been instrumental in bringing Ryde’s growing Indian community into the Liberal fold. As a founding member of Indians in the City of Ryde, Shweta has actively engaged local families in grassroots advocacy, offering leadership and encouragement to foster their involvement in our Party. Shweta is also a champion of multicultural inclusivity in our community, establishing the City of Ryde’s first Holi Festival events. Shweta understands the everyday juggle of parents and the important role Council plays in enabling the local community to be a safe and friendly place to raise young kids and a family. Sustainable living and building a future that holds a promise for the next generation is a key passion for Shweta.
Councillor Daniel Han has been a Ryde local for over 20 years, initially working as a pharmacist for nearly a decade before retraining as a high school science teacher, a role he has held for the past 13 years.
Councillor Daniel Han has been a Ryde local for over 20 years, initially working as a pharmacist for nearly a decade before retraining as a high school science teacher, a role he has held for the past 13 years. With strong community ties through his roles and connections in migrant communities, Daniel ran as the number two candidate in West Ward during the 2021 election, playing a critical role in the Liberals gaining control of the Council. From teaching locally over the last 13 years, Daniel has positively impacted thousands of students and their families, both in the classroom and through extracurricular activities, building strong partnerships with the parent community. Daniel’s shift to Central Ward in the upcoming election provides an opportunity to leverage the support base and relationships he has built over many years within his school’s catchment area.
As a committed Liberal, Daniel has played a key role running local campaigns, recruiting volunteers and organising highly successful fundraisers. Daniel is also President of the Bennelong FEC and working hard to win back Bennelong. Daniel is a strong advocate for protecting open space and the environment, responsible financial management, and completing major Council projects.
As full time working parents who understand the challenges of raising young families in the City of Ryde, Shweta and Daniel are passionate advocates for playgrounds, family-friendly events and Council facilities so that Ryde is the best place for people to live, work and play.
