At a special meeting last Tuesday, Toowoomba Regional Council selected Edwina Farquhar to be new the Councillor over 22 other candidates.
Ms Farquhar is a businesswoman in Toowoomba who operates several businesses.
During her speech, she said she employs 50 local people.
She was officially sworn in last Wednesday by CEO Brian Pidgeon.
She fills the vacancy created following the retirement of Mayor Paul Antonio and elevation of Cr Geoff McDonald to Mayor.
It took five rounds of voting for the ten Councillors to agree on who would be joining them as a colleague.
Councillors chose to have who they voted for, not become public knowledge.
Mayor McDonald congratulated Mrs Farquhar on her appointment.
“Our new colleague will attend her first official Council meeting at Tuesday’s (September 19) September Ordinary Meeting of Council,” Mayor McDonald said.
“I’m pleased we have settled the composition of the Council team that will serve our residents until the next quadrennial local government election, which is set for March 16, 2024.
“There is a lot of work to focus on in the final months of this term of the Council and my colleagues and I are determined to do and be our absolute best for the rest of the year on behalf of the community.”
Mayor McDonald said Councillors acknowledge the effort made by all 23 people who nominated for the vacant Councillor position.
“It is a big step for nominees to formally complete the application process and outline their vision and individual attributes that they consider will add to our decision making.
“I thank all the nominees for taking the time to apply and outlining how passionate they are about serving on Council.
“We all look forward to the contribution that Edwina will bring to her position.”
Toowoomba Regional Council followed the requirements under the Local Government Act 2009 to fill the vacant Councillor position for the remainder of the term.
This article appeared in On Our Selection News, 21 September 2023.
