LODDON Shire Mayor and Pyramid Hill local Cheryl McKinnon will not contest next month’s council election.
Cr McKinnon said last week she felt unable to commit to another term, but would miss her council role and the opportunity to work with other councillors to serve the community.
“I’ve given it 100 per cent for eight years and I don’t know that I could give it 100 per cent for another four as there’s other areas of my life that have had to be put on hold, that are now demanding more of my attention,” Cr McKinnon said.
She said her term as mayor for the past three years had been a highlight, explaining what she most enjoyed about the opportunity.
“It’s great being able to meet so many people across the whole shire as opposed to just in your ward and represent everybody and hear about their issues personally,” Cr McKinnon said.
She is proud of the success of the council’s community projects during her time as mayor, including the development of the Bridgewater Foreshore, Soldiers Memorial Park and the streetscape in Wedderburn.
Cr McKinnon said she would love to be on council to see future projects such as the new Pyramid Hill streetscape realised, but there was always more to be done.
“We have a number of projects on the books and I look forward to seeing them being delivered by the new council,” she said.
Cr McKinnon has served with the same group of councillors throughout her two terms and said she had been delighted with the healthy working relationship the group has shared.
“I will miss the camaraderie with the other councillors,” she said.
“It’s always been a respectful debate and everyone is happy to listen to someone else and prepared to shift their position if that’s what’s required to progress forward, and it’s been quite an honour to have worked in that environment.”
She said one of the keys to the council’s successful relationship has been the ability of all to move on to the next issue and not hold grudges over differences.
Councillors also had strong working relationships with the chief executive and other senior council staff, she said.
Cr McKinnon has a few duties to fulfil before her term ends on October 24, although they will be limited with council moving into caretaker mode.
She said she was looking forward to having time for other interests when her council duties ended.
“My woodwork has been on hold for some time,” Cr McKinnon said.
As well as looking forward to spending more time in her workshop, she is eager to catch up with family when the COVID-19 situation allows.
