Ben Stangoni, David Head and Marilyn Haselby were elected onto the Shire of Dumbleyung council.
Voters in the Shire of Dumbleyung participated in local elections for the first time in two decades, resulting in the election of three new council members. The recent polling, which attracted a turnout of 39.71 percent from the 486 registered electors, markedly surpassed the Western Australian average of 27.5 percent.
David Head led the election results with 137 first preference votes, securing a four-year term alongside newly elected members Ben Stangoni and Freyja Melling. Incumbent Marilyn Haselby was also re-elected, while Sue-Ellen Lax fell short in her bid but will serve as the first backfill. The election saw significant changes as Grant Lukins, the deputy president, and two other councillors, Bevan Doney and Kevin Powell, chose to retire prior to the polls.
Engagement and Process of Election
Council President Amy Knight expressed satisfaction with the electoral process, noting that previous local elections had been uncontested. “It was awesome for the community because many of the younger members would not have had a local election in their lifetimes,” she stated. Knight emphasized the importance of engaging the community and providing insight into local governance.
Despite some nearby shires, such as Wagin and Cuballing, opting to run independent elections to save costs, Knight decided against this approach. Those areas experienced lower voter participation compared to Dumbleyung. “It worked out well for us; we are a large shire in terms of land but few in numbers, so it was easier for people to pop their ballot in the postbox,” she explained.
The new council members will be officially sworn in during the shire’s meeting scheduled for November 2023. The election marks a notable shift in local governance, with new voices set to influence the direction of the Shire of Dumbleyung.
The election results reflect an engaged electorate eager for representation and change, setting a precedent for future local governance in the area.
