New Mayors elected for Northern Grampians, Buloke shires

Mayor Erwin (third from right) with Crs (from left) Emerson, Dempsey, Haswell, Gready and Ostarcevic

Councillor Kevin Erwin was unanimously endorsed as Mayor after a a statutory council meeting held in the Council Chambers at Pleasant Creek Historical Precinct recently.

The outgoing Mayor Cr. Murray Emerson brought a motion to shorten a two-year term down to one-year, meaning incumbent Mayor Erwin's term will conclude in November of 2023.

Erwin has served as a Councillor since 2003 and was endorsed by both

Cr. Rob Haswell and Cr. Trevor Gready, with the council not receiving any further nominations.

Erwin is the Northern Grampians Shire’s longest-serving Councillor.

Despite objections from Crs Dempsey and Ostarcevic, council resolved that a Deputy Mayor won’t be required to serve the Council. The dissenters believed the role offered good experience for councillors but the majority determined a sharing of responsibility and reduced cost would be beneficial for council.

Erwin is a community-minded volunteer and farmer. chairing the Grampians Grape Escape Festival.

The Council has endured a tumultuous year marked by the death of former Mayor Tony Driscoll. Cr Murray Emerson served as stand-in Mayor until the recent meeting.

Buloke elected a first-term councillor as their mayor in the form of Mallee ward's councillor Alan Getley. Cr David Pollard was elected Deputy Mayor.