Venditti-Taylor the new mayor as Moorabool councillors vote

COUNCILLOR Steve Venditti-Taylor has been elected as the new mayor of the Moorabool Shire Council.

Cr Venditti-Taylor was one of three nominations for the role at the Shire’s statutory meeting in Ballan earlier this evening, along with Crs Moira Berry and outgoing mayor Cr Paul Tatchell.

After the first round of voting, Cr Tatchell was ruled out after securing just two votes.

Those voting for Cr Venditti-Taylor were Crs John Keogh, Rod Ward, Sheila Freeman and Venditti-Taylor himself, while Crs Berry, Jarrod Bingham and Ally Munari voted for Cr Berry.

The same councillors voted for Cr Berry in the second round and the same votes were cast for Cr Venditti-Taylor, but this time with Cr Tatchell backing Cr Venditti-Taylor.

Shire CEO Derek Madden declared Cr Venditti-Taylor the new mayor. He will serve for a one-year term.

After donning the mayoral robes, Cr Venditti-Taylor took the chair and thanked his colleagues for the opportunity.

He also acknowledged Cr Tatchell’s work in the position over the past year.

Speaking of Cr Tatchell, Cr Venditti-Taylor said: “He’s had a lot of personal challenges he’s faced this year, and it’s a credit to him that he still fronts up, he still does his job.

“And if I can be half as good a mayor as what you are I’ll have done a really good job.”

Cr Venditti-Taylor said he was committed to serving the people of Moorabool with integrity, transparency and respect.

“The role is not about prestige, it’s about service,” he said.

“We’re here because the community has entrusted us to represent their best interests, to listen and deliver, and to advocate on their behalf.

“We face a lot of challenges in Moorabool and we’ve pretty much got to unite together to get the best results.”

Councillors also voted to elect a deputy mayor, also for a one-year term, with Cr Jarrod Bingham getting the ultimate nod.

Others nominated were Crs Freeman and Munari, but Cr Munari declined.

Five councillors voted for Cr Bingham – Berry, Sullivan, Munari, Tatchell and Cr Bingham himself, while Crs Freeman, Ward and Keogh voted for Cr Freeman.

Cr Sullivan maintained his stance in not believing a deputy mayor is needed and voted against the motion to elect one, with Cr Tatchell also voting against appointing a deputy.

Both councillors said not having an official deputy would give others an opportunity to step up as the official face of the council when required.