Scarlett’s big surprise

Scarlet Sadler with Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp and 13cabs'' Simon Purssey.

Our Lady Star of the Sea Primary School student Scarlett Sadler was a finalist in the 13cabs 2019 Junior Lord Mayor of Melbourne.

Six young students from across Victoria fronted a panel at Melbourne Town Hall to compete for the title.

The Junior Lord Mayor competition saw hundreds of applicants aged between 10 and 13 years old apply through their schools.

Scarlett, 12, was one of six who were carefully selected and chosen to compete for the respected position.

The six finalists presented to a panel that included City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, alongside 3AW Presenter Denis Walter, Melbourne Day committee chairman Campbell Walker, Channel 9’s Allan Raskall, Claud Lombard Melbourne Day committee and 13cabs’ head of client services Simon Purssey.

Scarlett’s mother Nicole said “it was a really lovely surprise for her to be nominated one of the finalists”.

“She’s a little environmentalist,” she said.

“We all are at home and it’s probably her home life that gives her that passion.

“We live on one acre in Ocean Grove so she’s got her chickens and her worms and a compost that she looks after.”

“Her and her sister have offered to all the people in the street to pick up their papers and take everybody’s papers down to Drysdale to be recycled rather than throw it in the bin.”

Each finalist answered a selection of bespoke Melbourne Day questions, after which the overall winner – Sophie Peters from Montmorency South Primary School – was decided and crowned the Junior Lord Mayor for 2019.

“With Scarlett at the helm of the coastline, we have nothing to fear. She shared her dedication and love for food, Melbourne’s multi-cultural makeup, and sport,” 13cabs Simon Purssey said.

“She really covered all bases! She spoke of the ballet, and how she wants more solar lights brightening up bike paths.”