DISTRICT ratepayers have voted for change.
The seven-member Gannawarra Shire Council will have four new councillors for the next four-year term.
Three women were elected and two councillors were defeated.
Former mayor, Neville Goulding was defeated in Yarran Ward and Oscar Aertssen was beaten in the first ever Murray Ward contest in the shire’s 21-year history.
Cohuna business partner, Sonia Wright and Kerang hospital administrator, Jodie Basile will join Yarran Ward’s Lorraine Learmonth at the council table.
The result was formally declared yesterday.
The outcome:
AVOCA WARD
Lake Charm farmer, Charlie Gillingham had a decisive win over machinery dealer and past councillor, Rodney Hibbet. Mr Gillingham achieved 80.49 per cent of the first preference votes.
MURRAY WARD
Koondrook mechanic, Steve Tasker polled 55.56 per cent of first preference votes to defeat computer store owner, Oscar Aertssen, who had represented the ward since 2005.
PATCHELL WARD
Kerang police sergeant, Brian Gibson and water industry employee, Mark Arians were re-elected for a second term and they will be joined by Jodie Basile, a past shire administration employee.
Jenny Fawcett was the unsuccessful candidate.
Former mayor, Keith den Houting did not seek re-election.
YARRAN WARD
The Cohuna area will be represented by two women after immediate past Cohuna Progress Association president, Sonia Wright was elected to join Lorraine Learmonth.
Former mayor, Neville Goulding, political lobbyist, Andrew Gibbs and retired resident, Robert Cooper were defeated.
The new councillors will be sworn in at council’s statutory meeting on Friday night. Council will also elect the next mayor.
