At Council’s first statutory meeting on Tuesday 18 March, Cr Sam De Gabrielle was elected Mayor. He is joined on Council by Councillors Faye Ure, Audrey Whittingham, George Rochfort, Bill Lodwick, Don Paterson and David McCullough. Strong interest was shown in the election with 20 candidates nominating for the seven positions.
The community took an active interest in the election which for the first time was conducted by postal ballot. There was a 75 percent voter turn out and an extremely low level of informal votes.
Mitchell was one of only five Victorian Councils that chose to conduct the election inhouse rather than using outside contractors. Three of the seven Councillors have previously served on former Councils. For the others, it is their first time in Local Government.
“The elected Council is honoured by the confidence the community has placed in it,” Cr De Gabrielle said. “Together we will maintain Council’s commitment to growth and prosperity for Mitchell Shire.
“Mitchell Shire has a lot to offer its community and visitors, because of our location as both the gateway to Melbourne and country Victoria. We welcome visitors and new residents and are committed to providing new business opportunities throughout the Shire. I see Mitchell as a leader in Local Government in the way it determines its priorities, delivers its services and looks to the well being and development of the community.”
