WAYNE Tighe was bowled over when the vote tallies became official late Monday for the local government elections held last month.

The well-known Moree identity, named Citizen of the Year at the Moree Australia Day Awards ceremony earlier this year, finished second in first preference votes behind tearaway leader, Susannah Pearse (1405).

Tighe finished the race with 844 first preferences. His second placing is believed to be a first for an Aboriginal man in a Moree Plains local election.

“I was really blown away by that, and feel incredibly honoured by it,” Tighe said.

“To have so many people put their faith in me by marking me No.1 on their ballot paper really means something, and I’ll honour that faith as an elected councillor.”

The TAFE NSW facilities co-ordinator, who manages nine campuses across the north-west, is Moree born-and-bred.

He loves the town and he loves the people.

“I love the sense of community and support offered to everyone through good times and bad, and knowing that looking out for your neighbours is still what we do in Moree,” Tighe said.

He says a bright future lies ahead for the Moree Plains, and he wants to play a major part in the district’s advancement.

As one of nine elected councillors, he’s been given that chance.

That’s not to say he hasn’t already played a lead role behind the scenes. Tighe sits on the boards of  Bank Art Museum Moree and Tourism Moree and is passionate about both organisations.

Beyond these roles, Tighe volunteers his time to run social bowls at Moree Services Club and is president of Magpies Bowls Club – and a pretty good player as well.

Wayne Tighe is primed and ready to represent the people of Moree Plains Shire.

In 2020, he became the first bowler in local history to win A-grade singles, pairs, triples and fours in the one season. Tighe will take his people’s skills to the table when Moree Plains newly-elected councillors are sworn in later this month.

“I look forward to working with all councillors and getting the right results for the residents of Moree Plains Shire. We have a new group of nine people all driven by their love of the Moree Plains, and I congratulate them all for being elected, and look forward to working with them,” Tighe said.

“I plan to represent the entire shire with respect and admiration. We live in a great part of the world and my role on Council will be to ensure it stays that way.”