Four (44%) of council’s nine councillors are new, following the NSW Electoral Commission’s declaration of successful candidates on Tuesday morning as the Yarrawonga Chronicle was going to print.
The following nine candidates for councillor have been successful: Pat Bourke, David Longley, Aaron Nicholls (new), Andrew Kennedy, Sally Hughes (new), Shaun Whitechurch, David Fahey (new), Rowena Black (new) and Gail Law.
Six of the nine successful candidates were members of the ticket group system. Just three successful candidates – David Longley, Rowena Black and Gail Law – stood independently.
Three councillors from the first, four-year term – Crs Paul Miegel, Bronwyn Thomas and Fred Longmire – did not seek re-election. Cr Norm Wales missed out on re-election.
Three female councillors (33%) are on the group of councillors, one more than the previously highest two-member female councillors from the Federation Council area, including the former Corowa and Urana Shires.
The nine councillors will be sworn in this Thursday in the Corowa Civic Centre at 11.00am by Federation Council’s General Manager Adrian Butler.
At the ceremony, elections for mayor and deputy mayor will take place, expected to be for two-year terms.
Councillors’ first term was extended one year, to four years, due to COVID-19.
Cr Law edged out Mulwala’s Bethany Robinson, who would have become the youngest female councillor ever, at age 32 years, from the Federation Council area if elected.
From the golf course where she was playing, Cr Gail Law appreciated the votes afforded her.
“I thank the people very much for their support. I will endeavour to do my best for all the people of Federation Council area.”
The youngest ever councillor from our Federation Council area remains record serving Corowa Shire Mayor of 13 years in two stints, Gary Poidevin OAM who was 28-years-of-age when he joined Corowa Shire Council.
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