Councillor Greg Marlow was voted in as Deputy Mayor at Barkly Regional Council’s Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday.

The newly-appointed Deputy Mayor takes over from Cr Russell O’Donnell who has served in the role for a year.

There was a round of applause after the voting process for Cr O’Donnell for his achievements in the year he served as Deputy Mayor.

While Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin is away on holidays visiting family in Queensland until mid-October, it means Deputy Mayor Marlow will be the Acting Mayor in the meantime.

A/Mayor Marlow is a long-time resident of Tennant Creek, first arriving in Tennant Creek 30 years ago. A/Mayor Marlow says he looks forward to continuing to serve the community in his additional role for the next 12 months.

“It’ll be an eye-opening exercise, but I am aware of many issues and prepared for any ministerial issues which may come forward,” said.

A/Mayor Marlow arrived in Tennant Creek in 1993, and said he was attracted to the Territory for its open speed limit after being stung by speeding fines in Western Australia.

He also loved Tennant Creek’s lack of traffic lights, fresh air free from city smog and its gold mining history was another bonus, after spending time in Kalgoorlie.

In 1996, he purchased an accounting firm, Marlow Canete & Associates, however has since retired and continues to serve the community in Council. The long-time Rotary member has a passion for volunteering and is fondly known as Tennant Creek’s sausage sizzler at various events and fundraisers in the town. And in June, he added Justice of the Peace to his resume.

Council resolved in September 2021 to establish a 1-year term of office for Deputy Mayor, with Cr Dianne Stokes elected to the role first. 

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 29 September 2023.