Clr Sarkis Yedelian OAM, was first elected as an Independent Councillor for the City of Ryde in 2004 and was re-elected for a second term in 2008. He joined the Liberal Party team in May 2010. Clr. Yedelian was re-elected for a third term in 2012,  a fourth term in September 2017 and re-elected for the fifth term  on 4th of December 2021,  he is the longest serving councillor.

He Served as Chair of the following committees; Ryde Planning and Environment, Ryde Community Harmony Reference Group and Ryde Economic and Development Advisory committee. 

Clr Yedelian has a background in journalism and electronic engineering. He is self-employed and has run an IT, camera, telecommunication and precision instrument consulting service business since 1985.  He retired in 2019 and  he dedicates his full time to community needs. He is married with two adult children.

Clr Yedelian has lived and worked I n Ryde since 1984 after migrating to Sydney in 1979 from Beirut, Lebanon. He co-founded the ‘Armenia Weekly’ magazine and served on its Editorial Board, before starting the Armenian Community Radio Hour at 2NSB-FM. He later in 1994 -2007 established Community TV Sydney CH31 and helped lead the way for young film-makers to air their productions while also voluntarily training young journalists, video producers and camera operators.

Clr Yedelian is the first elected Councillor in Australia of Armenian heritage and played a key leadership role in Ryde’s Multicultural Advisary Group, which advises Council on all multicultural issues. His fluency in five languages (Armenian, Arabic, French, English and Turkish)  has helped him communicate with many different communities.

Clr Yedelian is also (since 2005) a member of the State Emergency Service of Ryde. Currently he is President of the Ryde Multicultural Centre which he formed in 2005. 

Clr Sarkis Yedelian was awarded the OAM in 2009 for his service to the Local government and Multicultural communities.

On 18 February 2017 on the occasion of Ryde SES 40th anniversary, he was awarded SES, Long service award For 10 years as member of NSW State Emergency Service. 

On 23 May 2017 Clr Yedelian OAM  received a Certificate of Appreciation from Local Government NSW for his 13 years of service to the City of Ryde. 

Councillor Yedelian OAM has been a Councillor at the City of Ryde from March 2004 to present and he was elected three terms as  Deputy Mayor for the period September 2007 to August 2009, and 2021-2022.

On 13 December 2022 at Council’s extraordinary meeting Councillor Yedelian was elected as Mayor of City of Ryde and on 26 September 2023 re elected As Mayor for another term. 

Sarkis decided to retire from council and did want to be nominated in September 2024 council elections after serving for 20 years. Retired on 14 September 2024. 

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Dear friends and supporters, as you all know I will not be participating in the upcoming council elections on 14/9/2024. 

After 20 years of serving City of Ryde. 

Serving as your councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor  has been one of the greatest honours. I have always strived to represent our community with integrity, dedication, and a relentless focus on putting  Ryde Community First.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported me throughout my tenure. Your trust and confidence have been the driving force behind my work, and I will forever be thankful for the opportunity to serve you.

Though I will not be on the ballot this time, my commitment to City of Ryde  and its people remains unwavering. I will continue to be an active member of our community. 

Thank you for allowing me to serve as your councillor and Mayor,  It has been an absolute privilege.

Tonight it was my last council meeting I will not be contesting the upcoming council election in September. 

I was honoured to receive  a Medal and a Certificate of Service in special recognition of

20 Years of Service in Local Government from Local Government Association of NSW. 

Thank you to Mayor Trenton Brown and CEO Mr Wayne Raylands for awarding me with 20 years recognition of service to City of Ryde. 

I would like to briefly list some of the career milestones of my twenty years on Council.

I was first elected to Council in 2004 as an Independent Councillor.

In May 2010, I joined the Liberal Party team and having been re-elected at each local government election since 2004, now hold the title of longest serving councillor at City of Ryde.

From September 2007 to August 2009 and from September 2021 to September 2022 I was Deputy Mayor and enjoyed contributing to the decisions shaping the local area.

I have been a member of numerous committees and advisory groups and have also been instrumental in gaining major initiatives such as the Top Ryder bus service and the development of the Top Ryde Shopping Centre.

During my time on Council I have chaired the following committees:

Ryde Planning and Environment Committee,

Ryde Community Harmony Reference Group

Ryde Economic and Development Advisory Committee

One of my first initiatives as a Councillor was to move that Council provide free entry to the RALC for Ryde pensioners.  This scheme is still operational and has provided many years of passive relaxation and exercise to the senior members of the local community. I believe this has been a very worthwhile initiative.

To support Council in its efforts to develop a sustainable transport strategy, I moved that Council commence the operation of the Top Ryde Bus Service.

This service is still operating and provides a means for people who do not live on regular bus routes to travel to shopping hubs and medical appoints etc.

The decision to approve the redevelopment of Top Ryde Shopping Centre has also had major benefits for the local community.

I am proud of my role in negotiating the redevelopment of a run down shopping centre to create not only a vibrant shopping and business hub, but to allow the provision of two pedestrian footbridges linking the shopping centre to the old Civic Centre site, pedestrian lifts and a tunnel system under the ground which will allow for future roadworks and development, all at no cost to Council.  In all, approx. $45m in infrastructure was provided at no cost to Council.

I am proud of my Armenian heritage and was the first elected Councillor in Australia of Armenian heritage.

In 2009 I was honoured to be awarded the OAM for service to Local government and multicultural communities.

I have always endeavoured to give back to my local community and in addition to my roles as a Councillor, have been active in the local SES since 2005. I was awarded a long service award. 

I have enjoyed my time representing the residents of the City of Ryde and believe Ryde to be a wonderful area in which to raise a family and to live a happy and contented life.

Ryde is fortunate to have numerous open and green spaces, a national park of its border and first class facilities in terms of work opportunities and health care.  It is truly a fortunate area.

I want to thank my fellow Councillors and the staff at City of Ryde for the support I have received during my term as both a councillor and Mayor. Although I will not be contesting  next elections, I will continue to take a keen interest in the local area.

Thank you to all fellow councillors, Liberal party members, branch executives LGC  President and executive for supporting me during my term as councillor and Mayor. 

A big thank you to my community and all the voters who supported me during the years. 

Special Big thank you to my family,  my Wife my Daughter and Son for allowing me to continue to serve all those years.  

At the upcoming council election on 14 September 2024, I kindly ask all my supporter and friends  to continue to support Ryde Liberal Team. 

– clr Trenton Brown who is running as popularly elected Mayor and East Ward councillor with clr Sophie Lara Watson. 

– Central Ward clrs Shweta Deshpande and Daniel Han

– West Ward Clrs Justin Li and Kathy Tracy.