Mayor speaks out over controversial coverage of holiday

GOLDEN Plains Shire mayor Cr Sarah Hayden has made a statement, following the release of an article in the Geelong Advertiser on 12 April 2025 about her recent family holiday to the United States of America.

Cr Hayden has said this article “contained false and misleading information.”

“The article in my view implies that l engaged in inappropriate behaviour during a recent overseas trip with family, which I unreservedly deny,” she said.

“I acted on advice from the then Acting CEO about my ability to work remotely, and I attended all scheduled meetings and was in contact with the Interim CEO daily, during that time.

“At no stage was any Council money used to fund any part of this trip. The photos and information were obtained without my permission from my private social media account, and the Geelong Advertiser was made aware of this.

“Surprisingly, the photograph printed on the front cover was taken at a ball several years ago, entirely unrelated to my trip.

“I have personally engaged legal advice and am pursuing formal legal action. I will now be taking a period of leave starting today. Please direct any enquiries during this time to [email protected],”

The 12 April article, Vegas outrage grows: Residents slam Mayor’s timing during local mourning was written by Chelsea Bunting and claimed Cr Hayden was “experiencing her own edition of Hollywood hit The Hangover after images she posted of her Las Vegas trip referencing drugs, guns and being ‘whipped by topless girls’…left Golden Plains residents in ‘disbelief’.”

The trip followed the death of a Teesdale child who was hit by a car on March 27. One Teesdale resident said in the article it was inappropriate that the mayor had taken a holiday after the incident, while another claimed she should be free to take a break.

Golden Plains Shire acting chief executive Phil Josipovic was also quoted in the Advertiser article.

“Ms Hayden was able to fulfil her duties from council as there were no formal council meetings scheduled during her absence,” he said.

“She had advised prior to leaving that she could work remotely, and she continues to be able to fulfil her role, including attending internal meetings, managing correspondence and is available to attend as needed, whilst working remotely.”

Cr Brett Cunningham said councillors were aware she would be working remotely.