First-term councillor Steven Venditti-Taylor has been elected Moorabool mayor for 2025-26, while Jarrod Bingham will act as deputy despite two councillors voting against appointing someone to the role.
Cr Venditti-Taylor won the mayoral election on Wednesday 12 November, ahead of Cr Moira Berry and outgoing mayor Paul Tatchell.
Cr Bingham was elected deputy mayor ahead of Cr Sheila Freeman.
However, Cr Tom Sullivan voted against the appointment of deputy mayor, preferring instead to allow every councillor the opportunity to step in for the mayor when required.
Cr Tatchell also voted against nominating a deputy mayor.
Outgoing deputy mayor Rod Ward said the role of deputy mayor was an important one, citing his experience of needing an unexpected knee replacement while mayor, which required then-deputy mayor Ally Munari to step into the mayor’s chair.
“Having been mayor and having been deputy mayor, I understand the importance of having a deputy mayor,” he said,
“I think a deputy mayor is there to support the mayor.
“The mayor is going to be under an enormous amount of pressure and scrutiny, especially over the next 12 months running into the state election.
“There is obviously a need for the mayor to be in many places at once and if the mayor is unable to do so, the ability to rely on the deputy mayor is paramount.”
Following his election as mayor, Cr Venditti-Taylor paid tribute to Cr Tatchell.
“I want to thank Paul for all he has done for Moorabool,” he said.
“If I can be half a good mayor as what you are, I will have done a really good job.”
Cr Venditti-Taylor thanked his colleagues for the opportunity to lead the council and thanked council staff for the support they had given him during his first 12 months on council.
“As your mayor, I am committed to serving the people of Moorabool with integrity, transparency and respect,” he said.
“The role is not about prestige, it is about service. We are here because the community has entrusted us to represent their best interests, listen and deliver and advocate on their behalf.
“We face a lot of challenges within Moorabool dnd we’ve pretty much got to unite together to get the best results.”
