Gannawarra Shire Council residents have spoken, with a new group of councillors being elected in the municipality’s first wardless election.

Three of the seven council positions will be made up of fresh faces for the 2024-2028 councillor term.

Of the 8,353 residents enrolled to vote, 6,797 formal votes were cast and 233 informal (3.31 per cent).

Winning her position with a commanding 1,874 first preference votes (27.57 per cent), Lisa Farrant said she was excited for the term ahead.

“I’m quite excited, I’ve had my first training session yesterday, and to walk into that building is quite humbling. To be elected really is quite humbling.

“I’m actually really excited about the team we’ve got together. I think we’ve got a really great team of people that bring a lot of different facets of life to the table and I think we’re going to be a great team together to get things done across the entire Shire.”

Also new to the position, dairy farmer Pat Quinn secured 578 votes.

“It was interesting through the campaign, I ran as an absolute independent, I had no preferences, we had no wards, I was representing Gannawarra Shire.”

Pat pointed to his life farming, residence and sporting life, knowing no boundaries in Gannawarra and is aiming to work for the collective benefit of the shire.

“I was really happy when the final count came through.

“I must admit, I went from being really excited about it to an incredible weight of responsibility.

“Basically, the work begins; let’s get out there and do the job as best as we possibly can.”

Daniel Bolitho completed the fresh councillor line up on 458 primary votes.

“It was a pleasant surprise to be elected.

“It was great to see how many votes and how many people were supporting me. I’m sort of kind of taken aback by that.

“We had our first couple of bits and pieces almost immediately. So, it’s a bit of a big learning curve ahead, but I’m really excited to get into it and work collaboratively with everyone.

“I’d love to get my head around where we are, help build more public confidence in the council, and get the community involved a bit more and make sure they understand what’s going on.”

Council’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Amanda Wilson said, “Council thanks all enrolled residents and landowners who took the time to vote in this historic election.

“For the first time in Gannawarra Shire Council’s history, our elected representatives will not be representing a ward, meaning your Councillors are on Council to represent all areas of the municipality.”

Former mayors, Charlie Gillingham and Ross Stanton were re-elected, along with Garner Smith and Keith Link.

“Council would like to take this opportunity to thank Kelvin Burt and Jane Ogden, who did not seek re-election, as well as Travis Collier, who was unsuccessful in seeking re-election, for their work during the past four years. We wish them well for the future,” added Amanda Wilson.

Gannawarra Shire Council elected representatives 2024-2028

(listed in result order)

• Lisa Farrant – first term on Council
• Garner Smith – first elected October 2020, Deputy Mayor 2020/21
• Daniel Bolitho – first term on Council
• Ross Stanton – first elected October 2020, Mayor 2023/24
• Pat Quinn – first term on Council
• Charlie Gillingham – first elected October 2016, Mayor 2020/21-2022/23, Deputy Mayor 2016/17, 2018/19, 2019/20, 2023/24
• Keith Link – first elected October 2020

This article appeared in  The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 14 November 2024.