Cr Robyn Gulline installed as Mayor for 2021-2022

Published on 18 November 2021

Horsham Rural City Council has re-elected Cr Robyn Gulline as Mayor at Thursday’s Statutory Meeting.

Cr Gulline said it was a privilege to be re-elected as Mayor for a second term and she was looking forward to leading Council in the progression of key projects for the region.

“It’s an honour to be elected Mayor for the second year. I will continue to engage with the community at every opportunity and work together to make decisions for the benefit of our community,” she said.

Cr Gulline was elected for a one-year term.

The introduction of the Local Government Act 2020, requires Council to consider whether or not to establish an office of Deputy Mayor. Council voted not to appoint a Deputy Mayor.

The Statutory Meeting was held in-person at the Civic Centre and this month’s easing of COVID restrictions meant a limited public gallery was allowed to attend.

MAYOR ROBYN GULLINE’S ACCEPTANCE SPEECH:

It has been an absolute honour and privilege to serve Council and our community as your Mayor for the first year of this new Council term.

This has been a challenging year for all new Councils with the implementation of the new Local Government Act and the creation of the Community Vision and Council Plan. COVID has continued to force us to be creative with our activities and meetings. On top of that, we were six of seven new Councillors who have had so much to learn and understand about our role and about Council from the budget through to complex planning permits.

The highlight of the past year for me has undoubtedly been meeting and speaking with community members, of all ages and walks of life, the majority of whom I had never met before, in a diverse range of settings, whether it has been formally at functions and events or incidentally through community engagement in Roberts Place, in shops, the supermarket or even just walking down the street.

Overwhelmingly community members have told me that they are happy with our new Council and the decisions that we have been making. Feedback about things that people have specifically loved include:

• Getting to know their Councillors through our weekly Councillor Column and they hope these columns will continue
• The videos that have been uploaded to Council’s Facebook page, my monthly meeting reports that have provided a snapshot of key Council decisions and educating the community about a range of topics including about the Otta Seal and developments at the WAL Hub. They hope these will continue too
• My radio interviews, particularly my monthly conversations with Di Trotter on Triple H
• Council’s Weekly Update e-newsletter
• My breadth and depth of knowledge and the way that I can answer any question posed and explain complex problems/issues and proposed solutions and
• My positive attitude and energy

I humbly accept the honour of Mayor for another term. I will continue to:

• Work with Councillors and the organisation to deliver on the Community Vision and Council Plan initiatives and priorities
• Work with the Councillors to make decisions for the benefit and betterment of our municipal community
• Engage with the community at every opportunity
• Advocate for the services, facilities and infrastructure that our community needs and deserves.