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St. Arnaud, Charlton, Wedderburn & Surrounding Districts
Est. 1864
18 Napier Street, St. Arnaud. 3478. - Advertising & Editorial Material - Ph.: (03) 5495 1055; Fax.: (03) 5495 1937. Email: ncn@iinet.net.au Published weekly. Registered by Australia Post, Publication No. VAC 4217.
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WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 8th 2023.
Circulating in:- St. Arnaud, Charlton, Donald, Rupanyup, Bealiba, Stawell, Marnoo, Navarre, Dunolly, Wycheproof, Wedderburn, Birchip, Korong Vale, Stuart Mill, Redbank, Avoca & Moonambel.
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Revolving door broken by new Mayor Rob Haswell ROB Haswell has broken the pattern of ‘revolving Mayors’ between Crs Erwin and Emerson in the Northern Grampians Shire Council, by becoming the 2023 to 2024 Mayor for the shire. In a Statutory Council meeting held on Monday night, the feeling was uncomfortable with those Councillors who were supporting the nomination of Cr Karen Hyslop on one side of the table and those supporting Cr Rob Haswell on the other.
Deputy Mayor position again rejected True to the image of two sides around the table, the office of Deputy Mayor was once again overturned four votes to three, after being moved by
Cr Ostarcevic and seconded by Cr Hyslop. T h e s i d e o f C r. Karen Hyslop with Cr. Eddy Ostarcevic and Cr. Lauren Dempsey were in favour of creating that position, only one of a few of the Victorian Local Government Councils, which do not have a Deputy Mayor.
On the opposing s i d e o f C r. R o b Haswell, Cr. Murray Emerson, Cr. Kevin Erwin and Cr. Trevor Gready, believed the cost of $15,000 was prohibitive and that all six other councilors have the opportunity to act as Mayor when the occasion arises. The anti-Deputy Mayor position believes that all councilors were treated
Tricks and treats galore for Halloween
equally in giving each the opportunity to progress and develop. Cr Dempsey spoke passionately advocating Deputy Mayor position and said the cost of $15,000 was a drop in the ocean. “The role of Deputy Mayor provides a nurturing environment for development” she said. Cr Dempsey said that this is the second year in a row that she has supported the notion of a Deputy Mayor and that at times she believed that she was not given equal opportunity to develop herself.
Voting for a Mayor Cr Dempsey nominated Cr Hyslop (seconded by Cr Ostarcevic) and Cr Haswell was nominated
Above: New Mayor Cr Rob Haswell. by Cr Murray Emerson ( s e c o n d e d b y C r. Gready). Each of the nominees was given the chance to speak and both stated that they would make a great Mayor. Cr Hyslop said that she puts in the hard work and has been a councilor now for two terms. Cr Haswell stated that he was in his 7th year as a councilor.
“I am mindful of my community. “I am a responsible ear to community at all times and will proceed with exactly what they want” he finished. Voting took place and once again voting by the councilors went along the same lines, Crs Hyslop, Dempsey and Ostarcevic voted for Cr. Hyslop, while Crs Emerson, Erwin, Haswell and Gready voted for Cr. Haswell.
Above: The female gallery appears to be attending to support Cr Hyslop in her nomination for Mayor. Below: A tense air dominated the Statutory meeting with the CEO Brent McAlister flanked by the two nominees for Mayor with their supporters for the position by their sides.
Halloween St. Arnaud 2023 went off in a big way Above: The winning Halloween Home, 15 Preece Street Story and pics page 17