Thank you to all Councillors for electing me as Mayor for the previous term and I would also like to extend my congratulations to new Mayor Cr Brett Cunningham.
It was a wonderful experience and privilege for me to represent Golden Plains Shire as Mayor. I am and was very grateful and appreciative to have had the trust and confidence of other Councillors, the staff and the community. I believe I honoured that trust with genuine dedication and commitment to the role.
It’s been a year in which there have been many challenges, but even more positives. It’s been an extremely busy year in my life, but a great privilege to serve Golden Plains Shire in a period of heightened challenges such as Covid and recent climate events, but also opportunities such as a twin election year for both Federal and State governments.
My experience of being Mayor has been overwhelmingly positive, from meeting Ministers to taking part in “Coffee With The Mayor” outside general stores. I love the Shire, the landscapes, the townships and the communities. It is very much my home, our home, and I feel it’s a duty and an honour to have the capacity to shape, improve and safe guard what is best and special for future generations.
Recognising the role is very much a team effort, I’d like to thank and acknowledge the support and professionalism of the excellent officers and staff of Golden Plains Shire and particularly the CEO Eric Braslis, and senior management. I’d also like to acknowledge and to thank my family, fellow Councillors and Deputy Mayor Helena Kirby.
The trust and relationship between the Mayor and CEO is crucial to allowing the organisation to perform at its best for the community, particularly during a twin election year. I believe the positive work and team effort between myself and the CEO has been of great benefit to the community and for the perception of our council by other levels of government and organisations. We have received more funding and grant commitments than ever in the Shire’s history.
Of the many other highlights over the past council term, at the regional and higher local government level I would say the significant highlights included:
- Involvement on the G21 Integrated Transport Strategy.
- Involvement in a number of G21 pillars and being on the G21 Board.
- Being part of the Peri-Urban Council’s Board.
- The Canberra trip to the ALGA conference.
- Supporting the Goldfields World Heritage bid.
- And the G21 two-day delegation to Spring Street.
At Golden Plains Council level, additional matters I am particularly proud of are:
- The passing of Council’s Climate Emergency Plan.
- The imminent return of doctors' services at the Well.
- The strategic purchase of the old Church and land in Smythesdale.
- The official launch of the Civic Centre.
- Establishing familiarity and relationships across the whole Shire.
- My “Coffee with the Mayor” strategy.
- The Mayoral e-bike.
- Instigation of monthly meetings between the Mayor and the Communications and Governance teams.
- And the advancement of renewable energy in our Shire.
As Deputy Mayor I look forward to using my experience as Mayor to providing continuity and guidance to the new Mayor. I have great confidence our new Mayor, Cr Brett Cunningham, will be an excellent Mayor for our Shire. As Deputy, I will continue working for the positive benefit of Golden Plains Shire and will be fully supporting our new leader, Mayor Cunningham.
Thank you to all Councillors, for granting me the opportunity to lead Golden Plains Shire for the last Mayoral term. It’s an experience I will seek to build on and has made me a better councillor in general. I look forward to continue serving and working for the benefit of this great and special community.
Cr Gavin Gamble
Golden Plains Shire Council