Who Is Sandhya Reddy? Telangana-Origin Lawyer Elected Mayor of Sydney’s Strathfield

Sandhya Reddy, a Hyderabad-born lawyer of Telangana origin, has been elected mayor of Strathfield Council in Sydney, Australia. Known as Sandy Reddy, she was chosen by fellow councillors at the council's September 29, 2026 meeting and has become the 73rd mayor of Strathfield. Reddy, who has served on the council since 2021 and previously held the deputy mayor's position, will lead the council for the new mayoral term ending in September 2028. Strathfield Council said Councillor Esther Kim was elected deputy mayor.

Her election marks the latest stage in a public-service journey that began with community volunteering and later took her into local government after a career in immigration and migration-related legal services.

Who Is Sandhya Reddy?

Sandhya Reddy has roots in Hyderabad, Telangana, and is popularly known as Sandy Reddy. Reports identify her as a law graduate who later built a career in Australia as an immigration lawyer and migration-services professional.

She moved to Australia in 1991 and subsequently became involved in community activities in Strathfield. Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Law, a Master of Anthropology and a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University, according to reports citing her background. Reddy has also operated an education and migration services practice, while contributing to community initiatives in the Strathfield area. Who Is Neal Mohan? Here’s All About Indian-Origin YouTube CEO Named TIME’s CEO of the Year.

From Hyderabad to Sydney

Reddy's early education was in Hyderabad. Reports have linked her to the Khairatabad area and said she studied at Stanley College before pursuing higher education in law. After moving to Australia, she became involved in activities supporting migrants and the wider local community. Her work included providing migration-related assistance and participating in community initiatives. She also volunteered with the State Emergency Service, with her community involvement eventually earning her recognition from Strathfield Council.

Strathfield Citizen of the Year

Before entering elected politics, Reddy was recognised for her community work. Strathfield Council named her its Citizen of the Year in 2020. The council's current honours list confirms Sandy Reddy as the 2020 Local Citizen of the Year. Her community activities have included volunteering, multicultural initiatives and helping new migrants navigate services and local institutions. Earlier reports also noted her involvement in efforts connected with the installation of a bust of former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao at a community centre in Homebush.

Sandhya Reddy's Political Journey in Strathfield

Reddy entered local government in December 2021, when she was first elected as a Strathfield councillor. She was re-elected in the 2024 local government elections. The NSW Electoral Commission lists Sandy Reddy among the seven councillors elected to Strathfield Council in 2024. Indian Diaspora in Australia Hopes for Stronger Bilateral Ties Ahead of PM Modi's Visit.

She first became deputy mayor in September 2023. Strathfield Council's official announcement at the time said Reddy would work with councillors and council staff to serve local residents and focus on community needs. She returned as deputy mayor in September 2025, serving alongside Mayor Benjamin Cai until her election as mayor in September 2026.

From Deputy Mayor to Strathfield Mayor

Reddy's latest elevation came at the council's September 2026 meeting, when councillors elected her as mayor for the new term. According to Strathfield Council's announcement, Reddy said it was an honour to be elected mayor and that she was committed to working with fellow councillors, council staff and the community. Councillor Esther Kim was elected deputy mayor. The council's current leadership change follows a year in which Benjamin Cai served as mayor and Reddy served as deputy mayor.

Telangana Connection Draws Attention

Reddy's election has attracted attention in Telangana and among the Indian-Australian community because of her Hyderabad roots and her rise through Australian local government. Several reports have described her as the first Indian-born migrant woman to become a mayor in Australia. That description has been attributed to migrant-community reports surrounding her election rather than independently established in the official council material reviewed for this report.

Her election nonetheless represents a notable milestone in her own progression from community volunteer and immigration lawyer to councillor, deputy mayor and now mayor of Strathfield.

What Is Strathfield Council?

Strathfield Council governs the Municipality of Strathfield in Sydney's inner-west. The council has seven elected councillors, with the mayor and deputy mayor chosen from among the councillors. The current council was elected in 2024 for a four-year term running through 2028. The NSW Electoral Commission lists Reddy among the councillors elected in that election. With her election as mayor, Sandhya Reddy now moves from the deputy mayor's role to the council's top civic position, continuing a local-government career that began nearly five years ago.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 03:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).