Sally Vermeulen, Russel Thomson and Morris Trimming were elected onto the Shire of Woodanilling council.
UPDATE: The Shire of Woodanilling has officially welcomed a new council, blending experienced members with fresh talent following the latest local government election. This urgent development comes after a competitive race featuring four candidates vying for three open council seats, culminating in a decisive vote.
In a significant turn of events, outgoing shire president Dale Douglas opted not to seek reelection, leaving his position vacant. Veteran councilor Russel Thomson, who has been a staple of the council since 1982, successfully retained his seat with 56 first preference votes. The newly elected members, Sally Vermeulen and Morris Trimming, secured their spots with 51 and 45 votes, respectively, while incumbent Beverly Smith narrowly missed out, finishing in fourth place.
The election saw a robust turnout, with 176 ballots counted, representing 55 percent of the shire’s 318 eligible voters. This level of civic engagement underscores the community’s commitment to shaping its local governance.
The newly elected councillors were sworn in during an urgent meeting on October 21, 2023, just three days after the election. In a pivotal moment, Cr. Thomson transitioned from his role as deputy president to assume the position of shire president. Meanwhile, newcomer Cr. Vermeulen accepted a nomination for deputy president and was overwhelmingly voted into the role, signaling a fresh approach to leadership within the council.
The new council members will join incumbents Ian Garstone, Kahlia Stephens, and Rodney Marshall in navigating the challenges and opportunities ahead for the community. The mix of experience and new perspectives is poised to invigorate discussions around local governance and development.
As the Shire of Woodanilling embarks on this new chapter, residents can look forward to initiatives that reflect both seasoned insights and innovative ideas from their newly elected representatives. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
