Mitchell Shire Council is under new leadership after Councillor Louise Bannister was elected Mayor, alongside Deputy Mayor Councillor Nathan Clark on Monday 13 November.
Councillor Fiona Stevens did not seek re-election after serving one term as Mitchell Shire Mayor.
Councillor Bannister grew up on a farm near Seymour and has lived in Mitchell Shire for almost ten years with her partner Patrick and son Hamish.
She graduated from the University of Melbourne, majoring in Media and Communications and has a Master of Applied Linguistics.
Cr Bannister values research and evidence-based approaches. She is keen to work with the community to advocate for much needed infrastructure and services in Mitchell Shire.
“I would like to congratulate Cr Fiona Stevens on her term as Mitchell Shire Mayor in 2022-2023,” she said.
“I want to thank my fellow Councillors for their support. I look forward to supporting them in advocating and being a voice for their communities.
“It is our last year of this Council term and I hope we can embrace innovative thinking and work together as a team to lead Mitchell Shire to a better place than it was when we started.”
Cr Bannister said she hoped to encourage more people to consider running for election in Local Government.
“I want to take this opportunity to show people that you can be an advocate and a voice for your community along with the other important aspects of your life,” she said.
“Our Council needs to reflect the diverse nature of our communities. More ideas mean better outcomes for Mitchell Shire.”
Cr Clark lives in Kilmore with his wife and two daughters. He has a background in computer science and telecommunications, holds an Executive MBA and Master of Commerce.
Cr Clark is particularly concerned with the liveability of the communities as they transform through growth.
He wants to ensure existing lifestyles are preserved as best as possible, that new communities thrive, and that wealth generated from rezoning benefits existing and future residents.
Cr Clark is passionate about the history of Kilmore and dealing with the impact of heavy vehicles on the main street, understanding that it takes the coordinated and committed efforts of many tiers of government to effect change.
“In the final year of the Council term I hope to encourage a greater appetite for risk in the organisation,” he said.
“There are many opportunities to be explored and I look forward to speaking to and hearing from the community about them.
“I will also spend the year ahead encouraging high quality candidates to come forward and represent Mitchell at the next election.
“High quality Councillors should come from a range of backgrounds and passionately contribute to and oversee the successful implementation of the Council Plan.”
Cr Stevens congratulated Cr Bannister and Cr Clark and thanked fellow Councillors for their support in her Mayoral term.
“Thank you for allowing me to serve as Mayor and be a part of Mitchell Shire’s remarkable journey toward a brighter tomorrow,” she said.
“I must acknowledge the dedication of my fellow Councillors and Council staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the year.
“Together, we’ve shaped strategic documents, engaged the community, and improved our emergency preparedness.
“Your commitment has been the driving force behind our accomplishments.
“I am very privileged to be finishing my year as Mayor by officiating at a rare, exciting and significant event. That being, when the School of Armour proudly exercised their decreed right of Freedom of Entry to Broadford.”
