By Romy Stephens
A blend of new and old will represent residents throughout the Yarra Ranges over the next four years, with the new cohort of Councillors announced last week.
Successful candidates were declared by the election manager, Greg Shillabeer, at Seville Hall during the afternoon of 6 November.
Out of the nine positions up for grabs, five incumbents were re-elected and four will serve their first term as a Councillor.
This election has also been record-breaking for the region, with the highest number of female Councillors elected since Yarra Ranges was formed in 1997, that being four.
Meanwhile, the average age of Councillors has reduced by 12 years – from 65 to 53.
Councillor Len Cox will remain the Yarra Ranges’ longest-serving Councillor after being elected for Walling Ward, however, he faced tough competition in Bec Brannigan.
Cr Cox sealed the position by only 75 votes.
The region will also say goodbye to a handful of former Councillors, with Noel Cliff (23 years of service), Terry Avery (15 years) and Mike Clarke (six years) retiring, and Tony Stevenson (four years) failing to be re-elected after moving wards.
The new councillors will represent their community on Yarra Ranges Shire Council until the next general council election in October 2024.
Yarra Ranges Shire Council successful candidates 2020:
Billanook Ward: Tim Heenan
Chandler Ward: David Eastham
Chirnside Ward: Richard Higgins
Lyster Ward: Johanna Skelton
Melba Ward: Sophie Todorov
O’Shannassy Ward: Jim Child
Ryrie Ward: Fiona McAllister
Streeton Ward: Cathrine Burnett-Wake
Walling Ward: Len Cox
