Ross Kerridge

The Right Worshipful Dr Ross Kerridge
Lord Mayor of Newcastle
Incumbent
Assumed office 14 September 2024
Preceded by	Nuatali Nelmes
Personal details
Born	(1956-05-31) 31 May 1956 (age 68) Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Independent Labor 'Our Newcastle' (since 2024)
Other political affiliations	Labor (until 2024)
Spouse	Marion Kerridge
Residence	Newcastle East
Education	University of Sydney
Occupation	Senior Staff Specialist at John Hunter Hospital, Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle (Australia)
Profession	Anaesthetist
Website	www.ournewcastle.info/about

Ross Kenneth Kerridge (born 31 May 1956) is an Australian anaesthetist and politician who has served as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle since 2024.^[1]

Early life and medical career

Kerridge was born in Newcastle to parents Dr Gordon Kerridge AM and Catherine Kerridge (née Morley) on 31 May 1956.^[2] He is married to Marion and lives in Newcastle East.^[3]

His first job upon leaving Newcastle Boys' High School was as a labourer at Newcastle Steelworks before attending the University of Sydney to study a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, graduating in 1980. He holds a Fellowship of the Faculty of Anaesthetists, Royal College of Surgeons (1986) as well as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (1988).^{[citation needed]}

Kerridge is employed at John Hunter Hospital as a Senior Staff Specialist as well as a Conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle in the School of Medicine and Public Health.^[4]

Political career

Kerridge joined the New South Wales Labor Party at age 18. He was present at Blacktown when prime minister Gough Whitlam launched the 1974 election campaign and at the Sydney Opera House in 1987 when Bob Hawke committed that no child should live in poverty.^[5]

In February 2024, Kerridge nominated and narrowly lost Labor preselection for the position of Lord Mayor to the incumbent, Nuatali Nelmes.^[6]

On 19 July 2024, Kerridge and other members formally resigned from the Labor Party to contest the Lord Mayoralty of the City of Newcastle as well as all council wards at the upcoming elections as an Independent candidate under the banner 'Our Newcastle'.^[7]

At the 2024 New South Wales local elections, Nelmes and Labor suffered a substantial primary vote drop for the position of Lord Mayor as well as losing their voting bloc majority in the council chamber. Nelmes conceded defeat by emailing Kerridge on 17 September 2024.^[1][8] Kerridge has stated publicly that he continues to support the current state and federal Labor politicians in Newcastle.^[9]

References

1. Iuliano, Sarah (18 September 2024). "Kerridge declares victory in Newcastle Lord Mayor race". Archived from the original on 18 September 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
2. https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/2076133/obituary-catherine-kerridge/
3. "About Ross". ournewcastle.info. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
4. Amort, Squiz] Scott (16 January 2015). "Staff Profile". www.newcastle.edu.au.
5. "About Ross". ournewcastle.info. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
6. "Winners and losers in Newcastle Labor council preselection results". Newcastle Herald. 17 February 2024.
7. "'I felt betrayed': Labor accused of racism and cover-up on bullying claims". Newcastle Herald. 29 August 2024.
8. "Ross Kerridge quits Labor to run for mayor against Nuatali Nelmes". Newcastle Herald. 19 July 2024.
9. "About Ross". ournewcastle.info. Archived from the original on 14 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.

External links

• Official website

Civic offices
Preceded by Nuatali Nelmes	Lord Mayor of Newcastle 2024–present	Incumbent