Bundeena resident and Councillor Bob Spencer played an influencing role in the recent change of Sutherland Shire Mayor.

Kevin Schreiber who had been Mayor of Sutherland Shire for the last two years was ousted in a surprise vote which elected alternative liberal Councillor David Redmond instead for the role.

The Council Chamber had been made up of 8 Liberals, 4 Labor and 3 Shire Watch Councillors. When nomininations for Mayor were called on the September 11th meeting instead of the expected Liberal and Labor nominations there instead were two Liberal nominiations neither of which was Councillor Schreiber! The two nominated liberals were Councillor Redmond and Councillor Johns. When the votes were tallied the 4 Labor and 3 Shire Watch Councillors had sided for Councillor Redmond leading to his election.

So what had triggered this unexpected event? Evidently, there had been dissatisfaction among the some of the Liberals with Redmond in particular abstaining on several votes on major proposals being put forward in Council Chambers. This dissatisfaction was seized upon by Spencer when he approached Redmond an suggested "Have you ever thought of standing for Mayor?". Redmond had already contemplated such a move and after followup conversation with Spencer a deal had been struck.