AS the dust on Ballarat\u2019s new council began to settle, last week, the Ballarat Town Hall saw the city take its next step and elect a new mayor and deputy-mayor.<\/p>\n
While the special statutory meeting, chaired by interim CEO Janet Dore, was closed to the public due to restrictions it was live broadcast on the City of Ballarat\u2019s website for residents to watch.<\/p>\n
During the meeting and prior to electing the positions, the new council moved the motion for a one-year mayoral term rather than two years.<\/p>\n
Kicking things off with the selection of the next mayor, saw Cr Mark Harris withdraw from the race leaving Cr Daniel Moloney to be unanimously elected to the position.<\/p>\n
In his acceptance speech Cr Moloney thanked the City\u2019s future, present and past staff and councilors for their commitment to Ballarat during such a tough year.<\/p>\n
\u201cTogether we can bring our collective knowledge, experience and ideas to work well together for our city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so grateful for this team, we have some great skills and I look forward to tapping into each of those skills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m committed to using this opportunity to progress us all toward a bigger, bolder and better Ballarat.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the deputy position, Cr Belinda Coates also withdrew from the race before the vote, leaving Cr Amy Johnson to likewise be unanimously selected by council for the spot.<\/p>\n
Grateful for the leadership promotion, Cr Johnson took the opportunity to thank her family and supporters.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the time I finish this term, my daughter Audrey will be old enough to start to get an understanding of what I\u2019m doing and I look forward to being able to role model to her the importance of giving back to the community,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been on council for eight years and it\u2019s the first time I\u2019ve taken on the role so I\u2019m really excited about the opportunity to have more of a leadership role.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe next year needs to be squarely focused on supporting our community to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated effects.\u201d<\/p>\n
In addition to selecting a mayor and deputy, during the meeting all nine new councilors-elect took both an oath or affirmation and a declaration to abide by a Councillor Code of Conduct.<\/p>\n
Former deputy mayor and current councillor, Cr Belinda Coates said she was genuinely excited and optimistic for the new council and the year to come.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter the year we\u2019ve had, I think there\u2019s so much to build on,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow more than ever really with the challenges we have had in 2020 it\u2019s been a wakeup call and exposed the cracks in our community.<\/p>\n
\u201cI will maintain my focus on climate action\u2026 we have to demonstrate to the public that we are fair dinkum and bring them along as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Johnson added, \u201cWe have an outstanding team with a whole range of skillsets, it\u2019s really exciting to have both Tracy and Peter join the team, both highly respected members of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m more excited than I have ever been able the potential of the group and I think the community should hold the same hopes.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AS the dust on Ballarat\u2019s new council began to settle, last week, the Ballarat Town Hall saw the city take its next step and elect a new mayor and deputy-mayor. While the special statutory meeting, chaired by interim CEO Janet Dore, was closed to the public due to restrictions it was live broadcast on the […]<\/p>\n