Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam JP has been recognised with the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Mayor Emeritus Award, acknowledging more than a decade of service, regional collaboration and leadership across three mayoral terms.
The award was announced at the MAV State Council meeting in Melbourne while Mayor Bolam was overseas on a goodwill visit to strengthen Frankston’s sister-city partnerships. Councillor Nathan Butler accepted the honour on his behalf. Mayor Bolam has since returned to Frankston.
Third Mayor in Frankston’s History to Receive the Honour
The Mayor Emeritus Award is reserved for councillors who have served multiple terms as Mayor and demonstrated lasting contributions to local government. Mayor Bolam becomes the third recipient in Frankston’s history.
Frankston City Council Interim Chief Executive Officer Cam Arullanantham said the recognition reflected the Mayor’s long-term commitment to community outcomes, infrastructure development and civic administration.
He said Mayor Bolam had been “a driving force behind some of Frankston City’s most transformative projects and advocacy successes,” highlighting his focus on transparency and community benefit.
Praise From Former Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor
Former Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Graham Pittock highlighted Mayor Bolam’s efforts to rebuild and strengthen cross-municipal relationships during his first term in 2011.
Mr Pittock noted Bolam’s role in re-establishing cooperation between Frankston and the Shire, including efforts that saw the Shire rejoin regional alliances and partner with Frankston to jointly fund a Victoria Police vehicle to patrol shared communities.
“Kris has always operated with a clear sense of purpose and a deep belief in the power of collaboration. His leadership has strengthened not only Frankston, but the broader region,”
Mr Pittock said.
“if every council had at least one Kris Bolam, the country would be a much better place”.
He added.
A Contrast With Current Inter-Council Relations
While the 2011 period marked a renewed commitment to regional cooperation, relations between Frankston City, Kingston City and Mornington Peninsula Shire have shifted in recent years.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s decision to withdraw from a formal collaborative agreement involving Frankston and Kingston altered the tri-council partnership structure. The agreement had been established to support joint advocacy, shared planning priorities and coordinated responses to regional challenges.
Read: Canberra Trip Highlights Leadership Divide and Souring Frankston & Mornington Peninsula Relations
Leadership Across Three Key Periods
Councillor David Asker described Mayor Bolam as a steady and consistent leader through several defining chapters in Frankston’s recent history, including:
- Recovery efforts following the Global Financial Crisis in 2011
- The city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021
- Frankston’s current period of substantial growth and investment in 2025
Mayor Bolam has overseen a series of major projects and funding wins across his three terms, including the City Safe campaign that secured 75 additional police officers, a business grants program during the global economic downturn, Frankston’s COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Package, and significant federal funding for infrastructure projects such as the Jubilee Park redevelopment and the Kananook commuter car park.
Major Achievements in 2025
During the current term, Mayor Bolam has overseen:
- $59 million in federal funding through the Frankston City First advocacy program
- Contract award for the $60 million Frankston Basketball and Gymnastics Stadium redevelopment
- A $1.9 million Local Support Package for cost-of-living relief
- Frankston’s recognition as Victoria’s Tidy City for 2025
He also formalised a new sister-city relationship with Annapolis in the United States.
Mayor Bolam remains the only Frankston councillor appointed to both the MAV Board and the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel.
Mayor Bolam Responds to the Honour
Mayor Bolam said he was honoured by the recognition and emphasised that Frankston’s progress has always been driven by collective effort.
“This recognition reflects not just my journey, but the dedication of countless councillors, officers and community members who understand what our city can achieve,”
He said.
He encouraged future councils to remain focused on long-term planning to ensure Frankston continues to grow, adapt and prosper.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s decision to withdraw from a formal collaborative agreement involving Frankston and Kingston was not made by the council. It was a captains call of “he who’s name shall not be mentioned”
**Edited by admin 21/11/25