Councillor lauds retiring colleagues

MOORABOOL Shire Councillor Rod Ward has paid tribute to two colleagues who are not seeking further terms on the council.

Cr Ward, who represented East Moorabool Ward before the pre-election shire boundary realignment that created a single municipality with nine councillors, hailed the work of ward colleagues David Edwards and Tonia Dudzik.

Neither are among the field of 15 candidates seeking election this month. Cr Ward is standing again.

Cr Ward said he wanted to publicly thank Crs Edwards and Dudzik for their “outstanding contribution to the Moorabool Shire Council (MSC) and our residents”.

He said Cr Edwards served the community for 12 years, two of them as mayor.

“David was mayor in an incredibly challenging period that encompassed COVID-19, and also led the community’s fight against the possibility of the Westgate toxic soil being dumped in Bacchus Marsh when that appeared likely,” he said.

He said the announcement that transmission towers would “traverse across” the municipality also happened during Cr Edwards’s term.

“David provided great leadership during this testing period, and also during his entire term on Council,” Cr Ward said.

“His vision and strategic ability contributed greatly to many legacy projects, such as the development of the desperately needed Hallets Way-O’Learys Way route as an alternative to Gisborne Road.

“Another key achievement was his leadership and advocacy for MSC as our representative on the Peri Urban Group of Councils which delivered unprecedented grants to MSC that has contributed to the delivery of several major infrastructure projects that otherwise may not have been possible.”

Of Cr Dudzik, Cr Ward said she had been “a dedicated, committed and passionate advocate for the Bacchus Marsh community and for the entirety of MSC during her 12 years as a councillor”.

“Tonia has made a very positive contribution to the community, and in particular her advocacy on behalf of those groups and individuals who often may have been neglected or lacking in support,” he said.

“Her passion and commitment to ‘equality’ set a great example for her fellow councillors and the community, and her strong advocacy for those who were less fortunate, underprivileged or often overlooked was unparalleled.”

Cr Ward said Cr Dudzik had always displayed great empathy and was always conscious of the human aspect of council discussions and deliberations.

“Her commitment to many sub-committees and representing MSC on many community advocacy committees across those 12 years was also extraordinary,” he said.

“Thank you, David and Tonia, for your incredible contribution to the communities of the Moorabool Shire Council.”