CEOs extend invitation to election candidates

Published on 26 August 2020

Potential candidates for October Council elections are being encouraged to contact one of the six Wimmera and Southern Mallee Council Chief Executive Officers who can provide useful insights into life as a Councillor.

“We encourage anyone who has a genuine interest in becoming a Councillor to contact their Council’s CEO to discuss the vital role Councillors play in representing their local community,” Horsham Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Sunil Bhalla said.

“We are available to people who are interested in becoming a Councillor and can offer opportunities to speak to other CEOs, existing Councillors or former Councillors from across the Wimmera. If potential candidates do not wish to declare themselves locally at this stage they are welcome to contact one of the CEOs from another Council who are willing to assist.

“The six CEOs from Horsham, Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack, Northern Grampians and Buloke have a strong interest in ensuring that there is a solid field of candidates contesting the October 2020 elections.

“At a recent meeting, we established a united position that as CEOs we can positively contribute to ensure that there is sufficient publicity and information about the Council elections and giving potential candidates enough time to make an informed decision as to whether or not they will stand,” Mr Bhalla said.

“As a group, we do not wish to influence who is elected, but we feel it is our role to ensure that all people who may wish to stand for Council are fully informed and have that opportunity,” he said.

“It is important that community members understand how essential it is that we continue to have Councillors who are good community citizens with a range of skills and experience who can work as a team to shape the strategic direction of each municipal area and determine the policies for the services delivered to the community.

“Being a Councillor can be an exciting, challenging and rewarding role, but it is one that requires time, commitment and the capacity to see and embrace the 'bigger picture' on behalf of the community.

Horsham Rural City Council
Sunil Bhalla - 5382 9725 - sunil.bhalla@hrcc.vic.gov.au

West Wimmera Shire Council
David Leahy - 5585 9900 - DavidLeahy@westwimmera.vic.gov.au

Hindmarsh Shire Council
Greg Wood - 5391 4444 - gwood@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au

Yarriambiack Shire Council
Jessie Holmes - 5398 0101 - jholmes@yarriambiack.vic.gov.au

Buloke Shire Council
Anthony Judd - 5478 0142 - ajudd@buloke.vic.gov.au

Northern Grampians Shire Council
Liana Thompson - 5358 8712 - liana.thompson@ngshire.vic.gov.au