SUSANNAH Pearse will serve as Moree Plains Shire Council mayor for the next two years after being elected to the position, 6-3, by her fellow councillors today.
And newcomer Wayne Tighe will serve as deputy mayor for the same period after defeating Peter Mailler for the position, 5-4.
Cr Pearse, who last term served as deputy mayor to Mark Johnson, defeated Kelly James and Kerry Cassells for the top job.
She welcomed the new group to the Max Centre bunker, and applauded the diverse backgrounds of councillors.
“The council that sits around this table looks vastly different to the councils of yesteryear, and I am proud that this council has a six-three female majority – sorry gents, but you had it your way for a very long time,” Cr Pearse laughed.
“We have two aboriginal councillors and councillors with disabilities; rural councillors; townie councillors; farmers; real-estate agents; bus drivers, scientists; nurses; justice advocates, tall councillors and short councillors – we certainly are a diverse group that is well-equipped to represent the diverse needs of our community.
“I’m incredibly honoured to serve as the second female mayor of this this shire and to walk in the footsteps of all those who have come before me, including outgoing mayor, Mark Johnson, and the longest-serving, and first female mayor, councillor Katrina Humphries,” she said.
Councillor Pearse said there was a long road ahead, and many changes needed to be made.
“We have four years ahead of us and, on the campaign trail, we heard from the community. We heard their concerns, we heard their hopes, and we heard their priorities,” she said.
“We have around 1450 days in the term ahead, and we have a large task ahead.
“We have budgets to manage and financial gaps to address, resources to prioritise and council systems to improve.
“We must make ourselves, and this entire organisation, and all the people who work here, accountable, and to deliver that work to ratepayers with better consultation and greater efficiency.”
Newly-elected deputy-mayor, Wayne Tighe, paid tribute to his father, Vincent, better-known as ‘Popeye’.
“Being the youngest of 10 kids, my father worked his entire life around the Moree Shire and gave a lot to the shire,” Cr Tighe said.
“He was very well-respected across the entire district and I hope I can do the same and make my father proud.”
Cr Tighe said teamwork was the key to making Moree Plains a better shire.
“I fully support all councillors at the table and we need to do everything we can to make Moree Plains Shire one of the best shires in the country, if not the best,” he said.
“I love this town and I love this district, and that’s why I’m standing here today.”
Moree new councillors are Kerry Cassells, Dominique Hodgkinson, Kelly James, Peter Mailler, Fred McGrady, Susannah Pearse (mayor), Brooke Sauer, Wayne Tighe (deputy mayor) and Debbie Williams.
General Manager Kelvin Tytherleigh welcomed all councillors at today’s historic meeting.
“On behalf of the staff of Moree Plains Shire Council, I congratulate the newly-elected councillors and the operational team and I will work with you so, together, we provide the best possible outcomes over the coming four-year term,” Mr Tytherleigh said.
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