MICHAEL Ivanov spent nearly a decade as an elected councillor for the Moree Plains, and two of those 10 years was as deputy mayor to Peter Brooks.

It’s been a while since he’s debated – and voted – on local government issues, but Mr Ivanov says he’s ready to again represent the people of Moree Plains Shire.

The spell has done him the world of good, he says with a smile.

Mr Ivanov is currently Moree Services Club senior deputy board chairman. He’s community-minded, and it shows.

He’s sat on numerous sporting club committees, school P&Cs and auxiliaries, and regularly organises Australia Day clean-up campaigns.

As a councillor, he was involved with the engineering, finance and traffic departments as well as tourism, disability access and the Moree Library.

“I was also affiliated with Western Division Council Group, which saw me travelling as far south as Hay,” Mr Ivanov said.

He was Moree Plains Shire Council’s representative when funding was sought to establish the Aboriginal Employment Strategy and at different times sat on Ashley Hall and Garah Hall committees.

Michael Ivanov is seeking re-election for council after serving for nine years between 1999 and 2008 (Image Copyright).

“I was also lucky enough to have spent 23 years volunteering at Fairview Nursing Home and the time there was incredibly rewarding.”

Along the way, Mr Ivanov received an Australia Day Environment Award and was presented with life memberships to two local sporting groups.

However, Mr Ivanov is not one to seek recognition. He simply loves helping the community and he says it’s largely because of his upbringing.

“In my family, we were taught to always be helpful in the community and I have been doing this in many ways throughout life,” he said.

Mr Ivanov entered local government in 1999 and served the Moree Plains Shire for nearly a decade.

“I was fortunate enough to be elected and subsequently I spent, what I believe, nine good years of service to the district.

“I was also honoured to be elected deputy mayor by my peers for two years during my term. Being entrusted to make decisions on behalf of an entire community is an incredible honour and I am once again ready to represent the people of the Moree Plains Shire,” he said.

Mr Ivanov, a cleaner and part-time scrap metal dealer, stepped away from local government in 2008 because of family illness. He lives at shire village, Ashley, with his wife of 43 years, Leanne.

“Unfortunately, I had to halt my run on council but as the years have passed, I now find I have the time to again serve the community as a councillor, if the people of Moree feel they would like to give me another go,” Mr Ivanov said.

“I can assure everyone, should I be elected, I will be there for every single person in the Shire,” he said.

Words: Bill Poulos