Oscar Parry
The Macedon Ranges council election results have been announced with nine councillors across the three wards due to be sworn in on Monday.
The results were declared by the Victorian Electoral Commission on Thursday, November 7.
East Ward will be represented by first time councillors Cassy Borthwick, Daniel Young and Andrew Scanlon, who were elected in that order.
According to her candidate statement, Ms Borthwick has lived in Romsey for 20 years, operating a small business, hosting local events, and taking part in volunteering roles.
Mr Young has served a term in the state parliament in an independent party and has been a lifelong Macedon Ranges resident.
In his candidate statement, Andrew Scanlon said that through his role as a councillor, he hopes to create a “place where people can live, work and be happy without fear of prejudice or judgement”.
Former councillors Henry Bleeck and Geoffrey Allan Neil were unsuccessful in their bids for election.
In South Ward, previous term councillors Dom Bonnano and Christine Walker finished first and second in the vote count, with Alison Joseph third.
Ms Joseph said in her candidate statement that she has been a resident of Macedon Ranges for over 30 years, is passionate about protecting the environment, and has a vision for “a council that delivers what the community wants, is open, accountable, keeps costs down and uses ratepayer’s money wisely.”
Previous term councillor Rob Guthrie and former councillor John Leitchford also ran for South Ward but were unsuccessful.
West Ward will be represented by three female councillors. New councillor Kate Kendall attracted the highest percentage of first preference votes, followed by previous term councillors Jennifer Anderson second and Janet Pearce third.
According to Ms Kendall’s candidate statement, she is the volunteer president of Business Kyneton, is on the board of Tourism Macedon Ranges, and has worked as a chief executive and tech start-up founder.
Star Weekly understands that the mayor and deputy mayor are set to be elected on Friday, November 22, subject to change.
