Mitchell Shire Council is under new leadership after Councillor Fiona Stevens was elected Mayor, alongside Deputy Mayor Cr Louise Bannister on Monday 14 November.
It’s the first time in Mitchell Shire’s history that women have been elected as both Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
Cr Bill Chisholm did not seek re-election after serving his second term as Mitchell Shire Mayor.
Councillor Stevens is married and has two adult daughters and five grandchildren.
She brings to Council extensive knowledge of the Mitchell area, having grown up and been educated in Broadford.
When she returned to the region to work and live in Seymour in 1981, she involved herself in many community organisations.
With an extensive background as a sworn member of Victoria Police, she retired in 2013 from the Seymour Police Station after 36 years.
Cr Stevens enjoys identifying issues and researching to find solutions.
She is keen to find a fair and appropriate outcome to community concerns and is passionate to see whole of Mitchell Shire progress.
Councillor Bannister grew up on a farm near Seymour and has lived in Mitchell Shire for almost seven 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.
During her term, Cr Bannister wants to maximise communication between Mitchell Shire Council and the community.
She believes that working closely with the community will be the key to making Mitchell Shire the best place to live in Victoria.
