Rebecca Aubrey—the mayor’s daughter—pulled in 54 per cent of Melville’s city ward vote to unseat incumbent Effie Nicholson last weekend, and become the only new face on the council.

In other wards, three incumbents were easily returned and two former councillors made comebacks.

In Bull Creek-Leeming ward veteran incumbent Clive Robartson strolled back with 70 per cent of the vote, in Bicton-Attadale former mayor June Barton was easily returned with 66pc and in university ward Nicole Foxton was comfortably re-elected with 50pc against two challengers.

In Palmyra-Melville-Willagee former councillor Trish Phelan made a comeback, taking 37.5pc of the vote in a four-horse race. Her nearest challenger was local P&C president Lisa O’Malley (34pc).

It was a similar story in Applecross-Mt Pleasant ward, with former councillor Cameron Schuster taking 45pc of the vote in a five-candidate race.

by DAVID BELL