'Working class champion': Darebin councillor Gaetano Greco dies in hospital

The independent had been re-elected just months ago.

Independent Darebin councillor Gaetano Greco has died in hospital following an illness.

Greco was first elected to Darebin City Council in northern Melbourne at the 2008 local elections. He was a member of the Labor Party until resigning in mid-2014, contesting the seat of Preston at the state election later that year and winning 11.3% of the vote. He also contested the state elections in 2018 and 2022.

The Victorian Socialists have paid tribute to Greco, writing that "since 2008 when he was first elected Gaetano has been a staunch community advocate, central to the campaign to save the Preston Market and more recently the local Palestine solidarity movement".

The Freedom Socialist Party said: "Gaetano, a socialist and fighter for the working class, was a member of Darebin Council since 2008, winning loyal support by standing with the community against ALP sell-outs."

"He was a passionate advocate for Palestine and led the struggle on council for the Palestinian flag to fly over the Town Hall. That fight was won and the flag continues to fly today. Gaetano was an a pivotal leader in the massive community campaign to save Preston Market from demolition for development."

"Gone too soon, Gaetano Greco a champion of his working class Preston community, will be missed by many and long remembered as a fighter until the end."

Yarra mayor Stephen Jolly described the news as "terribly sad," saying Greco was "the people’s champion on that Council for many years and was a great role model to me and many others".

"He knew how to be both principled and effective in politics, a rare feat. Solidarity to his partner Susana and the whole family."

Greco was most recently re-elected at the Victorian local government elections in October 2024, winning easily with 57.84% of the vote in North West Ward.