Glenelg Shire Council Mayor and Deputy elected
Published on 20 November 2024
Councillor Karen Stephens was this evening elected unopposed as Mayor of Glenelg Shire Council.
Cr Robyn McDonald was also elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor.
Both terms are for one year.
It will be Cr Stephens’ fourth term as Mayor, following stints in 2004-05, 2012-13 and 2023-24.
The Casterton-based Councillor was first elected to Council in 2002 and has served continuously since.
Cr Stephens it was “a privilege and honour to be elected Mayor and to be rewarded with this opportunity to serve the people of Glenelg Shire”.
“I congratulate each of my fellow Councillors on being elected to Council in what was an historic election with a total of four new Councillors joining the Council table,” she said.
“And together with a new CEO (Helen Havercroft) we have a great team and great promise ahead.
“This is a new beginning for Glenelg – filled with opportunity and optimism for a bright future for generations to come.
“We have some very exciting projects coming our way – which will provide unprecedented growth, opportunities and jobs.
“This Council will lead the visioning and planning for this period of growth and together with the community we will navigate the challenges and ensure the best possible outcome can be achieved for the community.
“Council cannot operate alone and together with our amazing staff we will continue to deliver over 100 services daily to our community.”
Portland-based Cr McDonald was first elected to Council in December 2023, filling a vacancy, meaning it has been a meteoric rise in less than one year.
“I want to thank the community for putting me here as a Councillor and thank the Councillors for their confidence in supporting me in this role,” she said.
“I look forward to supporting the Mayor with the enormous amount of work she does for the community.
Meeting dates and times were also confirmed at this evening’s meeting and there is one major change to past years.
A third meeting will be held out of Portland during the next year – compared to two previously – and these will be held at Heywood in March 2025 and Casterton in April and September 2025.
Caption: Karen Stephens and Robyn McDonald have been elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively of Glenelg Shire Council.