John So
|
John Chun Sai So AO, JP |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| 102nd Lord Mayor of Melbourne | |
|
In office July 2001 – November 2008 |
|
| Deputy |
Susan Riley (2001–2004) Gary Singer (2004–2008) |
| Preceded by | Peter Costigan |
| Succeeded by | Robert Doyle |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
2 October 1946 Aberdeen, Hong Kong |
| Citizenship | Australia |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse(s) | Wendy Cheng |
Susan Riley (2001–2004)
John Chun Sai So, AO JP (Chinese: 蘇震西; Cantonese Yale: Sou1 Jan3 Sai1), is a Hong Kong Australian businessman who served as the 102nd Lord Mayor of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, Australia. He was the first Lord Mayor in the city's history to be directly elected by the people; previously, Lord Mayors were elected by the Councillors. He is also the first Lord Mayor of Melbourne of Chinese descent.
First elected in 2001 and re-elected in 2004, So is the longest-serving Lord Mayor of Melbourne, serving for seven-and-a-half years. In 2006, John So won the World Mayor award. On 1 October 2008, John So announced he would not seek re-election for a third term as Lord Mayor.
So currently serves as Chairman of the Global Business Council, an international forum established by the World Chinese Economic Forum in Malaysia aimed at facilitating trade between China, India, ASEAN and Middle East. In December 2013, So was appointed by the Chinese Government as a Special Advisor to the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese.
So born in Aberdeen, Hong Kong on 2 October 1946. When he was 17 years old, he moved to Melbourne and completed his secondary education at University High School. He then went on to tertiary studies, obtaining a Diploma of Education and Bachelor of Science from the University of Melbourne. After graduating, he taught physics at Fitzroy High School. So became a business operator in 1973, with interests across Australia, Hong Kong and China.
So's political career has included positions as Director of Asia Society's AustralAsia Centre, Commissioner of Victoria Ethics Affairs Commission, Director of Melbourne Water, Honorary Member of World Mayors Council on Climate Change, former Executive Member of the Committee For Melbourne, President of Lord Mayor's Charitable Fund, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Racing Carnival and Chairman of the Victorian Chinese Welfare Centre.
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