GANNAWARRA Shire Council mayor Lorraine Learmonth hopes her three years in the role will encourage other women to take on leadership positions.
Cr Learmonth has decided not to seek a third term as a Gannawarra Shire councillor, stepping away ahead of the upcoming election to pursue other interests.
“I think it’s time for someone else to take over and meet some of the challenges for our community,” Cr Learmonth said.
Cr Learmonth was a Neighbourhood House coordinator who had always been heavily involved in the community when she first ran for council eight years ago.
She considers Gannawarra Shire Council’s decision to become an NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) provider is one of the highlights of her time as mayor.
“There’s been 79 new jobs created in that project and it provides the clients with great service and the feedback from the employees is that they have great job satisfaction, and we’re one of the very few councils that provide NDIS outside of Melbourne,” Cr Learmonth said.
As the founder of the Cohuna Art Gallery, she has also been excited by the development of the arts scene across Gannawarra Shire during her eight years as a councillor.
Cr Learmonth said an expanding range of arts offerings across many locations had brought people from different towns together to support each other’s artistic programs and performances.
She hoped to see the Gannawarra arts scene continue to evolve, including the creation of more outdoor art works such as the impressive bird mural in Lake Charm, while she was also looking forward to
the reopening of the Cohuna Art Gallery, which has been closed due to COVID-19 precautions.
Cr Learmonth said it was important for more women to fill leadership roles, whether that be in politics or at their local sports clubs.
“It brings a bit of diversity into decisions and women sometimes have a different outlook than what men do,” she said.
While her council role is ending, there’ll be plenty to keep her busy in the next phase of life.
“I’ll need to find a challenge. I enjoy a challenge,” Cr Learmonth said.
However, whatever that challenge turns out to be it will be in addition to her string of volunteer duties.
“I volunteer at the Gateway (Visitors Centre), and do meals on wheels,” Cr Learmonth said.
She is also secretary of the local Men’s Shed.
Cr Learmonth is upbeat about the future of Gannawarra Shire, with the potential to attract more nature-based tourists, and the prospect of more solar energy infrastructure developments.
She said one of her main disappointments with her time on council is that further progress hasn’t been made to upgrade the Cohuna swimming pool.
But she had a simple message for those running for the next Gannawarra Shire Council.
“I wish all the candidates good luck and I hope they enjoy their ride because it’s a great shire doing great things,” she said.
