Baw Baw Shire councillors have unanimously elected East Ward Cr Kate Wilson as Mayor after an election was held on November 12. She said she felt “really honoured” to be nominated but jokingly added she was a “little terrified.”
Cr Suzanne Allen was elected Deputy Mayor. Both will serve a 12 month term with another election to be held in November next year.
Mayor Cr Wilson was excited by the opportunity to represent her local community.
“It’s a great honour to be elected Mayor of Baw Baw Shire, a place where I am proud to live, work and represent. I look forward to working closely with my fellow councillors, staff and our community to deliver the priorities in our council plan and work towards our shared vision for a stronger, thriving and connected community,” said Cr Wilson.
“Looking ahead, I want to make sure every voice is heard, to cast my votes with fairness and integrity, and always with the whole community in mind. I’m committed to continuing the great work already started for the betterment of our region and am excited to see what can be achieved.”
Prior to her time on council, Cr Wilson had worked in local government and told Traf District News last year that this experience showed her “the realities of what local government can and can’t do.”
Outgoing Mayor Cr Danny Goss nominated Cr Wilson who has “impressed” him greatly during her first year on the council.
“I just could not be happier to see new blood in the role,” said Cr Goss who had announced he was not seeking a second consecutive term as mayor.
Reflecting on the past year, Cr Goss said that council had “achieved a lot” and had accomplished an important goal, to “restore the standards and protocols that [had] been lost [during the previous council term].”
These words follow a tumultuous period for the council which saw allegations of sexism and bullying, a short suspension for Cr Goss, and a shocking last election result which saw only two out of the nine councillors returned to their position in 2024.
“This council is now widely seen, I think, as very cohesive, functional, hardworking, and long-term focused,” he said.
Also on the meetings agenda, appointments to council committees and the election of the Deputy Mayor.
Cr Allen spoke of her gratitude for the opportunity to serve as Deputy Mayor, saying “I’m thankful for the trust my fellow councillors have placed in me. I look forward to supporting Mayor Wilson in representing our community and doing the best we can for this beautiful place we call home.”
The next council meeting will be held at 5:30pm on Wednesday December 10 in the Fountain Room of the West Gippsland Arts Centre. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
