New leader for Swan Hill Rural City Council

STANDING before a large public gallery, Swan Hill Rural City Council’s newly
elected councillors were sworn into their roles on Wednesday
night.

Undertaking the oath and declaration of office, the councillors, both
new and old, said it was a privilege and honour to represent the local
community.

Councillors said they looked forward to healthy and robust debate
as they worked towards the betterment of the region over the next four
years.

The new councillors wasted no time getting down to
business, electing a mayor and deputy mayor, setting meeting locations for 2013,
discussing allowances and community group delegations.

While councillors had
the choice of electing a mayor for one or two years, all councillors agreed to a
one-year appointment.

Former
mayor John Katis put forward Cr Les McPhee’s nomination for mayor and Cr
Cruickshank’s nomination for deputy mayor, with both nominations
unopposed.

In his acceptance speech, Cr McPhee said he was honoured and
privileged to take on the mayoral role.

For more on this story, see Friday’s edition of The Guardian (9/11/12).