Shire to host information sessions for prospective council candidates

THE Surf Coast Shire will host a series of candidate information sessions for those in the region interested in standing for council ahead of October’s election.

Following a review of the shire’s electoral structure and ward boundaries, the Victorian government announced in March the shire would be realigned to three wards – Torquay, Winchelsea and Otway Range.

This replaces the shire’s current ward boundary structure which is divided between four wards: Torquay, with four councillors; Anglesea, with two; Winchelsea, two; and Lorne, one.

While the total number of councillors to be elected in October will remain at nine, each ward will now be represented by three councillors.

To assist interested candidates, the shire will host three information sessions through May and June. They are:

• Torquay Ward session – May 23 from 6-8pm at St Therese Primary School Hall
• Winchelsea Ward session – June 12 from 6-8pm at Eastern Reserve
• Otway Range session – June 24 from 6-8pm at Aireys Inlet Community Centre.

The sessions will be delivered by independent facilitator and councillor coach Ruth McGowan who is the incumbent mayor of Baw Baw Shire, located in the West Gippsland region of the state.

Ms McGowan, who believes nearly anyone can be councillor if they have the right attitude, skills and experience, is also the author of Get Elected, a non-partisan guide written in 2019 for Australians who want to run for office in any of the three levels of government.

“It takes great courage to stand for something bigger than yourself,” Ms McGowan writes in the guide’s preface.

“I have worked with many courageous community activists and leaders to help them get elected.

“My hope is that I can inspire you to step forward, run for office and assume the role of leader – to step into the arena.

“You can change things. Run to be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Candidate nominations for this year’s election will open on September 19 and close on September 24 at noon.

With incumbent Lorne Ward councillor Gary Allen already stating he will not be standing for re-election, the community can expect at least one new face will join the council this year.

This year’s council election will be held via postal vote, with October 26 slated for election day, and the new Surf Coast Shire council will be inducted in late November.

For more information, to register your interest to attend one of these sessions or for updates about additional candidate information sessions, head to surfcoast.vic.gov.au/election2024