16 SEPTEMBER 2020 | ISSUE 458 | FREE
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NEW COUNCIL ON THE WAY FOR STRATHBOGIE SHIRE In a year like no other, the 2020 local government council elections will see all but one, elected Councillors of the 2016 election not nominating for re-election in the 2020 Strathbogie Shire elections.
Ms Bower and Ms Stothers announced their resignation from council in 2019, Councillor Little, Councillor Gardner, Councillor Mason, and Councillor Thomson, and Councillor McClaren will not be nominating for re-election. Councillor Williams is yet to decide on whether or not he will stand. Councillor Raeburn will nominate for re-election after winning the HoneySuckle Creek in a by election earlier this year. The Community Voice caught up with Lake Nagambie Ward Councillor, Mayor Amanda McClaren who will not stand in the upcoming Local Government Elections for Strathbogie Shire. Cr McClaren made the announcement today, saying she was proud of the achievements she had made during her four years on Council and urging others to put up their hand to represent “our amazing community”. Cr McClaren was first elected onto Strathbogie Shire Council along with Cr Debra Bower to represent Lake Nagambie Ward in 2016. Shortly after being elected, Councillors elected Cr McClaren to the role of Mayor, a
role she was proud to take on and represent the Council and community. Following three years of her mayoral term Cr McClaren was awarded Emeritus Mayor status by the Municipal Association of Victoria in 2019.
all of whom work very hard for their community,” Cr McClaren said.
Cr McClaren was the youngest female Mayor to be elected in Strathbogie Shire and she is the only Mayor in Strathbogie Shire’s history to serve an entire four year council term as Mayor.
Cr McClaren said it was a difficult decision for her and not one she has taken lightly.
During her term on Council she has attended hundreds of meetings with the community, businesses and with Victorian and Australian Government Ministers as well as our local members. As Council spokesperson she has undertaken more than 40 television interviews, 50 radio interviews and provided information to our community through countless social media video clips. “I have given the role 110 per cent over the past four years, it has been a privilege to serve our Strathbogie Shire community alongside my fellow Councillors,
“Those who know me well, know that I have worked 24/7 in this role and after four years this has had an impact.”
“After four years representing the Strathbogie Shire and the Lake Nagambie Ward, I have taken the difficult decision not to stand for Council elections again in 2020,” she said. “I had already made the decision that if re-
Pictured: Elected 2016 Strathbogie Shire Council
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elected I would not be putting up my hand for the position of Mayor again as I believe it is definitely time for a change, however family and business commitments mean I am now not going to stand for Lake Nagambie Ward in the upcoming October 2020 Local Government elections. “My sons are growing fast and our business is also growing and requiring a lot more of my time and focus, so I am putting my family and our family business first, they have supported me over the past four years and now it’s time for me to focus on them. Continued on page 2.
Photo Credit: Strathbogie Shire Council