Baw Baw, this is your new council:
Top rows from left: Tricia Jones (Drouin), Deborah Brown (North), Murray Cook (Mount Worth), Mikaela Power (Warragul), Terry Williamson (Drouin).
Bottom row from left: David Balfour (North), Bill Harrington (Mount Worth), Joe Gauci (Warragul).
Not present: Gerard Murphy (Warragul).
Photo: William Kulich.
RESULTS for the Baw Baw Shire Council 2012 elections were officially declared in a ceremony at the Council Chambers this morning.
Videos on right: Interviews with eight of the nine councillors-elect.
ADVERTISEMENT
The declared results are no different to the provisional results published by The Warragul Citizen last night.
At the meeting councillors-elect and unsuccessful candidates were invited to make comment on their appointments.
Warragul ward councillor-elect Joe Gauci said he was “really looking forward” to representing the community, and was pleased with the support he received.
Fellow Warragul ward councillor-elect Mikaela Power said her election was a “welcome surprise.”
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s a surprise, it’s a welcome surprise. I’d like to thank all the people who voted for me, and my family,” Ms Power said.
[[Stay updated with The Warragul Citizen: Via email (recommended). Via Facebook.]]
Warragul ward’s other councillor-elect, Gerard Murphy, was not present at the event.
Drouin ward councillor-elect and incumbent councillor Tricia Jones said:
“I’m very happy to have been re-elected and I thank all the people who voted for me and I’ll do the best job I can.”
Second councillor-elect for Drouin ward, Terry Williamson, said the next four years will be “tough”.
“No illusions, we have a tough four years ahead of us,” Mr Williamson said.
“Let’s hope we can supply the answers the ratepayers want and achieve outcomes.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Mount Worth ward councillor-elect Murray Cook thanked his ward.
“I’d like to thank everyone in the Mount Worth ward because we’re all a part of it,” Mr Cook said.
[[Stay updated with The Warragul Citizen: Via email (recommended). Via Facebook.]]
“I’ll do my best to represent all my constituents, as with everyone in the Baw Baw ward (sic), because we have a big job to do and together we can make some big changes.”
Bill Harrington, who has been returned to Mount Worth ward, said:
“I’d just like to thank my supporters in Mount Worth ward and also congratulate all the successful candidates, and also all the unsuccessful candidates because it’s good to have a robust election.”
North ward incumbent and councillor-elect David Balfour reflected on the previous term before saying:
“The next four years, I look forward to [working] with a new group of councillors”.
New North ward councillor-elect Deborah Brown said “it’s going to be exciting times and a real challenge for us ahead.”
The new council will be sworn in at a meeting on Wednesday, and a new Mayor will be elected on Wednesday November 7.
In defeat:
Video on right: Interview with fmr Warragul ward councillor Diane Blackwood.
Former Warragul ward councillor and Mayor Diane Blackwood said her term had been a good experience.
“It has been a challenge and a wonderful life experience,” Ms Blackwood said.
“Certainly… we’ve left things in the best possible shape we could have, and I just hope the next council appreciates what we have done here.”
Fellow defeated Warragul ward candidate Geoff Anderson, who received the third highest vote in the ward, said he was “a little bit relieved” to not be elected to the council.
[[Stay updated with The Warragul Citizen: Via email (recommended). Via Facebook.]]
“To all the councillors-elect, I congratulate you. It’s a tough job and changes have to be made…, the electorate expects that,” Mr Anderson said.
“I’m a little bit relieved not being a part of your team. I stood as a candidate hoping changes would be made, and I think they will be made.”
Defeated Mount Worth ward candidate Ian Honey said:
“I think it’s a great outcome for the community and I’m looking forward to change and efficiency in this area. I congratulate all the candidates.”
No other defeated candidates were present.
Congratulations on the coverage Will.Good job all-round.
Thanks for the coverage Warragul Citizen. Much appreciated.