Councillors present valedictory speeches

by Yvette Brand

Baw Baw Shire’s class of 2020 councillors held the f inal meeting for their term last week.

Seven of the nine councillors have renominated.

Two councillors – Mikaela Power and Jessica O’Donnell – won’t return, with neither nominating for re-election.

Valedictory speeches, listed on the agenda, allowed councillors to speak for “up to three minutes” to conclude their term as councillor.

However, Mayor Danny Goss was lenient in his clock watching, allowing some councillors to speak for up to nine minutes, including himself.

Cr Goss addressed every councillor, commenting on their strengths and what they had brought to the chamber.

“We have been an informed council and I think we have made better decisions because of it. We have been more open and transparent…but I think we still have a long way to go,” he said.

Cr Goss said 98 per cent of the role was so enjoyable and overwhelmingly, the most rewarding part was helping people.

In their farewell speeches, Crs O’Donnell and Power reflected on the four- and eight-year terms respectively.

Cr O’Donnell said the council group had been collegiate and formed friendships.

“We have hit a really good, sweet spot in Baw Baw and the community has been the beneficiary.

“Thank you to the community for trusting me with your decisions, going into your homes, your hall and into your circles. To have that trust from so many people has been a pleasure,” she said.

Cr Power thanked the community members who had written, phoned, emailed, stopped her in the supermarket or spoke to her in the street about their issues.

“People here really care about where they live and that makes for a great community.

She also acknowledged the work of volunteers in the community, including members of council’s advisory groups who assist council to make decisions

Cr Keith Cook thanked the community for trusting him.

“What a wonderful council we’ve had – respectful, hardworking and working together as a team.

While there were plenty of highlights, Cr Cook said one of the lowlights was having to make decisions when you know people would be affected.

Cr Joe Gauci said his second term had been in stark contrast to his first term – “the way this council group and officers are more open with the community is chalk and cheese.”

He said after the first term, winning back the trust of the community had been difficult for council but council just had to keep working at it.

Cr Tricia Jones said council had overall made “reasonably good decisions” that were not always what she liked but they always moved on.

She said she had enjoyed being a part of the council for the past 12 years.

Cr Peter Kostos said he had enjoyed community members inviting him into their lives.

He said it was a big rural ward but he had enjoyed being a part of the many communities that make up the ward.

Cr Kostos said he hoped at least some of the current councillors were re-elected because it was important to have consistency in council.

Cr Michael Leaney said during his term there had been more mayoral visits, more councillor visits and more CEO visits to the Mountain Rivers area than in the past 25 years.

“Up until four years ago, this council was focussed on a few main towns. I think that has changed not only for councillors but also for staff.

“There has been a change of mindset that no matter where you live in the shire, you actually matter,” he said.

Cr Leaney said he was proud to be one of four LGBTIQ councillors in the state, which probably came as a shock to a conservative shire, but it showed if you have the skills and you put in, you will make a difference.

Cr Darren Wallace said it was all about community service.

He said when he was first elected, he feared party politics in the chamber and he was pleased that had not become an issue.

Cr Wallace said the current council was made up of a good mix of people that were nine individuals and there were never any grudges held – “we just make the decision and move on.”