Liam McNally
Councillor Rod Ward has been elected as the new mayor of Moorabool council.
Cr Ward was elected at a council meeting on Wednesday, November 30, and Cr Ally Munari was elected deputy mayor.
Four of the seven councillors nominated themselves for the position, and Ward won the absolute majority in the third round of voting.
Cr Ward promised to be a mayor for “the whole of Moorabool”.
“Thank you very much to my fellow councillors for this great privilege, it is a great honour to serve the community, and it is a great honour and privilege to be elected mayor of Moorabool Shire Council,” he said.
“I grew up in a family in regional Victoria and I was very lucky that I grew up in a very community minded family. From a very young age I was taken by my father to the Lions Club or the sports club events and working bees and it instilled in us a sense of community and it is a very satisfying pursuit.
“I want to pay tribute in recognising the outgoing mayor, Cr Tom Sullivan. It’s my role as mayor, Cr Sullivan, to serve to the high standards that you did, and serve everyone fairly and show the energy and passion for Moorabool shire that you’ve shown over many, many years.”
Cr Sullivan, who has been a Moorabool councillor since 1996, said it was an “honour and a privilege” to serve as mayor for the past two years.
“To carry out the role as mayor I’ve enjoyed the support of my fellow councillors and I thank each and every one of you for your support,” he said.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the support of my family and also particularly my wife Theresa who has not only supported me in my role as mayor but also as a councillor over the last 26 years.
“There will be challenges going forward, but we are well placed with very talented staff and capable councillors to be able to meet these challenges.”
