Celebrating this year and looking forward to the next are 2011 deputy mayor Len Cox, 2012 deputy mayor Jeanette McRae, 2012 mayor Graham Warren and 2011 mayor Terry Avery.
By Mara Pattison-Sowden
GRAHAM Warren will represent the Shire of Yarra Ranges as mayor for 2012, with Jeanette McRae as his deputy.
Cr Warren was voted in at last Tuesday’s statutory meeting after a second-round vote against Samantha Dunn.
He won with a five to four vote.
Cr Warren said the voting was more nerve-racking than he thought it would be.
“It’s an incredible honour and I’ve certainly learnt a lot from councillors Cox and Avery (the previous deputy-mayor and mayor within this term) and I hope to continue their good work,” he said.
While Chris Templer nominated Richard Higgins for deputy mayor, and Tim Heenan nominated himself, it was Cr McRae who took the majority four votes to become deputy.
“What an opportunity,” she said.
“Our council is only as good as the team of us and we’re all passionate in our own way about our municipality.
“I’m pleased we’ve got someone of very high calibre as our mayor in Graham Warren.”
Outgoing mayor Terry Avery and deputy Len Cox said they were pleased with the accomplishments of 2011.
Cr Avery said in particular he enjoyed driving forward the capital works program with what he said were major successes opening the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, the Seville Water Play area, Burrinja Cultural Centre and the Rail Trail bridge over Maroondah Highway.
