John So: World Mayor 2006

World Mayor is a title conceived by Mayors worldwide to raise their own profiles (why should Prime Ministers and Premiers get all the glory). This year, Melbourne has something to be proud about. Lord Mayor, John So was voted the 2006 World Mayor.

John So was born in China, lived in Hong Kong til his teens and has been in Melbourne ever since. He holds a modest degree in Education from Melb Uni. He started out as a teacher but found his riches in the China Town restaurant boom as one of the joint proprietors of the Dragon Boat chain of restaurants. In 2001 he was elected as Lord Mayor of Melbourne and straight away asked for a payrise from $100,000 to somewhere in the $200,000s - good on ya John.

Some say he’s just a mascot mayor who attends no committee meetings and just shows up in the press with the likes of Livinia Nixon, Megan Gale, and Jennifer Hawkins. John doesn’t think so,

“Whilst I believe the community is the best judge of my contributions, my vision for Melbourne includes creating closer links between the city and the water, whether that is the Yarra River or Docklands. I also focus on Melbourne’s expanding links with Asia, including sister city relationships with Osaka, Japan, and Tianjin, China, increasing the number of direct flights to and from Melbourne, and being an active member of the Business Partner City Network combining 12 global cities.”

Now in his second term, John is the only Mayor in the world to achieve cult status - “John So, You’re my Bro”! Is that a migrant success story or what?!

• The John So He’s My Bro CD :
• John So on the Nova 100 website:
• The John So Unofficial Fan Site
• John So’s official Melbourne Council Page.

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