It is an incredible privilege to have been re-elected as Mayor of Swan Hill Rural City Council for a second term at the recent Scheduled Council Meeting on 26 November 2024. I am deeply grateful to my fellow Councillors and our community for their confidence and support. I look forward to working closely with Deputy Mayor Cr Les McPhee, my fellow Councillors, and our dedicated Council staff to serve our municipality over the next 12 months.
Reflecting on my time since first being elected to Council in 2020, I feel immense pride in how far we have come as a community. As I step into another term, I remain committed to driving meaningful progress across Swan Hill. The year ahead promises exciting developments, with key projects set to come to life and new investments strengthening and enriching our region.
As Mayor, I am committed to improving efficiencies and delivering exceptional services that meet the evolving needs of our community. With my background in agriculture, engineering, and business, I am dedicated to collaborating with CEO Scott Barber and the Directors to bolster our municipality’s core infrastructure, including roads and drainage, while fostering investment and unlocking development opportunities.
Advocacy will remain a cornerstone of my role. I will continue to push for fair funding allocations and address critical challenges such as the housing crisis, water security, improved facilities, and greater connectivity. These are issues that deeply impact our community, and I am determined to ensure they remain a priority. Meetings are already scheduled with our local Federal and State MP’s, and with a Federal election just around the corner, and a State election in a coupe of years, now is the time to lock in the political commitments to our municipality and region.
I am also passionate about showcasing Swan Hill as a thriving, innovative region that is open for business. Together, we will embrace opportunities to support growth, attract investment, and create a vibrant future for everyone in our municipality.
Thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as your Mayor. I look forward to a productive year ahead and encourage all residents to stay engaged as we work together to make the Swan Hill municipality an even better place to live, work, and visit, “no matter the season”.
Welcome to new Councillors
It is my pleasure to warmly welcome the newly elected Councillors who will serve the municipality for the next 4 years, and I am eager to collaborate with and be joined in community leadership by Cr Hugh Broad, Cr Philip Englefield, Cr Terry Jennings, Cr Les McPhee, Cr Lindsay Rogers, and Cr Peta Thornton. Each Councillor brings diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that will enrich the decision-making process and drive positive outcomes for our community.
Together, we are committed to working collaboratively to address the needs and aspirations of our region. From fostering economic growth and investment to supporting community well-being and infrastructure development, this Council is focused on creating a brighter future for all residents. With a shared passion for our municipality and a dedication to listening, learning, and leading, we are ready to tackle challenges, seize opportunities, and ensure our municipality continues to thrive.
Councillors have already taken the Oath of Office, completed the mandatory training required to better understand the Local Government Act and their roles and responsibilities, and briefings on current Council projects, initiatives and challenges are well underway. All councillors are energised to hit the ground running to serve the community well and help shape a positive future.
Vandalism is dimming the Christmas cheer
It is with great disappointment that I report the destruction of the beautiful Christmas lights installed at the Rotunda in Riverside Park, Swan Hill. These lights, which were part of a festive trail designed to bring joy and warmth to our community, were meant to celebrate the holiday season and create a welcoming environment for both residents and visitors.
This senseless act of vandalism not only damages the physical installations but also undermines the positive intentions behind the effort to spread joy at a time when we should be coming together to support one another, it’s disheartening to witness such destruction.
Council is working closely with local police to investigate the incident, and I urge residents to help protect the things that bring joy to our towns. I hope the spirit of the season will inspire us all to unite, support each other, and safeguard the things that make our towns special.
I encourage anyone with information to come forward and I remind all members of the public to report any suspicious activity to the Police Assistance Line on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
16 Days of Activism Against Family Violence
Everyone in our community deserves to feel safe—whether at home, at work, or walking down our streets. Over the past two weeks the 16 Days of Activism campaign has provided a powerful reminder that safety, equality, and respect are not just ideals; they are rights. We all have a role to play in creating a community where no one has to live in fear or look over their shoulder at night.
Change begins with us. By fostering respect and standing up against gender-based violence, we can build a future where everyone is safe and equal.
Council is proud to support this campaign, and I encourage everyone in our community to take steps toward creating a community where respect and safety are a reality for all.
To learn more about the campaign click here.