A NEW Gannawarra Shire Council was announced on Monday morning, with only one previously serving councillor returned.
The new council will be made up of six men and one woman — former Gannawarra Shire Council staff member Jane Ogden, who was elected in Patchell Ward with 14.49 per cent of the vote.
Also elected in Patchell Ward were progress association president Kelvin Burt (with 35.59 per cent of the vote) and police community engagement officer Travis Collier (23.45 per cent).
Patchell Ward incumbent Jenny Fawcett, who was elected by countback in February to replace resigning councillor Mark Arians, did not retain her seat.
Notable among the ward results was the performance of Yarran candidate Garner Smith.
The Riverland Trading rural supply store owner, who has political experience with The Nationals, received 1246 of 2758, or 52.82 per cent of Yarran Ward votes.
Mr Smith said on Monday he had been busy baling hay but was pleased to finally know the election results.
“It’s great to have people put faith in you,” he said.
“There’s been a lot of words spoken and now we’ve got to put things into action.”
Also elected in Yarran Ward was justice of the peace, retired livestock farmer and former Cohuna Aviation Club member Keith Link, who received 465, or 19.71 per cent of votes.
Other candidates Neville Goulding, a three-time Gannawarra Shire Council mayor, and Andrea Otto, a Swan Hill Rural City Council accountant, received 15.13 per cent and 12.34 per cent of the vote respectively.
Murray Ward incumbent Steve Tasker was defeated by Ross Stanton.
Mr Stanton, a Goulburn-Murray Water manager and football official, attracted 471 votes, or 39.78 per cent of first- preference votes, while Mr Tasker received 373 or 31.50 per cent.
The third candidate, Yvette Myhill, got 340 votes, or 28.72 per cent.
After the distribution of Ms Myhill’s preferences, Mr Stanton had 58.53 per cent to Mr Tasker’s 41.74 per cent.
In Avoca Ward, returning councillor Charlie Gillingham was elected unopposed.
