Councillor Bernard Gaffney has been elected as Mayor of Indigo Shire Council following departing Mayor Jenny O'Connor's decision to not seek re-election for the top job.
Councillor Gaffney will lead Indigo Shire for the next 12 months with Councillor Peter Croucher re-elected as Deputy Mayor for two years.
Councillor Gaffney is pleased to again take on the role, after a number of previous stints in the top job, most recently from 2018-2019, and thanked his fellow Councillors for their confidence in him.
"It's an honour to be Mayor and I am really looking forward to being back in the position and working closely again with Deputy Mayor, Councillor Croucher. We live in challenging times but we are up to the task."
He says among his many priorities is addressing ambulance response times and supporting the Shire's small businesses and major employers as well as families, farmers, children, seniors and those in need.
"I will be meeting with Beechworth Health Service, Yackandandah Health Service, Indigo North Health, winemakers, major employers such as Uncle Tobys and Saputo, and aged care homes. The most important role as Mayor is advocacy, it's something I've done before and I'll do again. I'll work right across the Shire from Kergunyah to Wahgunyah." Mayor Gaffney said.
Councillor Croucher returns as Deputy Mayor and says he is once again excited to be representing the people of Indigo Shire and in particular, being the voice for the Kiewa-Tangambalanga Community.
Prior to the deciding vote, departing Mayor, Councillor Jenny O'Connor took the opportunity to thank her fellow Councillors, Indigo Shire staff and the community for their support during her term.
"It's been a great privilege to be Mayor and I want to thank my fellow Councillors and the Indigo staff, especially the CEO. Finally, I want to thank the community for all of the messages of support, it's meant the world to me. I'm incredibly proud of what we've achieved and as a small ruralShire, we are a shining light in Victoria." Councillor O'Connor said.
