Cr Stefano De Pieri migrated to Australia in 1974 from Italy, before attending Sydney Road Community School and completing a Politics degree at Melbourne University.
He worked as a ministerial advisor in the State government for some years prior to coming to Mildura in 1991. Cr De Pieri established Stefano’s Restaurant and published a book (Gondola on the Murray) which became a TV series. He also helped establish Arts Mildura, La Trobe University and the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.
Cr De Pieri is keen to develop the practice of participatory democracy in decision-making as required by the new Local Government Act, review the rates formula with relevant bodies such as the Municipal Association of Victoria, support economic development , tourism and events and reinvigorate the arts industry.
He is currently the Patron of the Melbourne-based Institute of Post Colonial Studies, looking among other things at the future of food and regional economies. Cr De Pieri is also on the Committee for the Mildura Writers Festival, the Alternative Varieties Wine Show and was previously a member of the Mildura Regional Development Board.
Outside of his Council and professional duties Cr De Pieri is interested in literature, music and food and a modicum of exercise.