New Mayor and Deputy Mayor for Murrindindi Shire!
Published on 18 November 2022
At the 16 November 2022 Scheduled Meeting of Council, Cr John Walsh was elected as Mayor and Cr Karine Haslam was elected as Deputy Mayor for a period of 12 months.
Cr John Walsh was pleased to be elected as Mayor and re-affirmed his commitment to improving Murrindindi Shire.
‘I’m very honoured by the trust invested in me by my fellow Councillors in electing me as Mayor. I’d like to sincerely thank Cr Carpenter for her commitment and work as Mayor over the past 12 months’, Cr Walsh said.
‘I strongly believe in the role of Mayor as being one amongst equals within a team and should encourage vigorous debate to reach solid decisions.
‘We face a period of considerable challenge, recovery from the floods, maintaining roads and other assets in the face of increasing costs, combatting the impacts of climate change, improving the economic prospects of our businesses and ensuring the health and wellbeing of our communities – just to name a few.
‘I am confident that the Councillors and our Council is up to the task. In the past, we have shown that we can meet the greatest of crisis and I’m sure we can do it again. The key is to be focused on the prime objectives and to tap into all resources of Council and community, and to work together to achieve common goals.
‘I’m particularly impressed by the community planning projects which are underway in a few of our towns. These projects demonstrate that through community commitment to agreed projects, with appropriate Council support, great results can be achieved.
‘We won’t be able to do everything on our own, we will need support from state and federal governments and from our fellow local councils. I see advocacy as being a major part of my new role. My aim is that Murrindindi Shire becomes front of mind when government departments consider both policy development and financial programs.
‘Again, I will be looking for every opportunity to involve relevant community groups in all such advocacy discussions, as the best results are achieved when strong community commitment to issues is clear to all those involved’, said Cr Walsh.
Cr Sue Carpenter reflected on her term as Mayor during the last 12 months and thanked her fellow Councillors, Council officers and the Murrindindi Shire community.
‘The past year has given me a wonderful opportunity to lead this group of Councillors as we conducted ourselves as the elected representatives of Murrindindi Shire.
‘I have strived to be inclusive and conciliatory in all my dealings with my fellow Councillors and Council officers. We have worked to the best of our abilities for the good of our residents and ratepayers. I have travelled around the Shire and met with many people, having the chance to hear their ideas and listen to their concerns.
‘Tonight, marks the halfway point of this Council’s term. I would like to thank Councillors for their commitment to their roles, their willingness to allow me to lead them during the last year. I especially would like to thank Cr Gallagher for supporting me in his role as Deputy Mayor and I’d also like to thank CEO, Livia Bonazzi, Executive Directors and Council officers for their guidance and support as I worked to the best of my ability to be your Mayor’, Cr Carpenter said.
At the 16 November Meeting, Council also resolved to establish the following portfolios and Councillor appointments:
- Corporate and Governance – Cr Damien Gallagher
- Circular Economy and Environment – Cr Karine Haslam
- Community Assets and Emergency Management – Cr Ilona Gerencser
- Planning and Compliance – Cr Eric Lording
- Community Engagement and Wellbeing – Cr Sue Carpenter
- Economic Development and Business Support – Cr Sandice McAulay
Council’s Portfolio system is in place to enable Councillors to focus and provide input on specific areas of Council.