Scott Jeffery has been re-elected unopposed as Mayor of Strathbogie Shire for the next 12 months, with Councillor Clark Holloway to serve as Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Jeffery said he was deeply honoured to be re-elected to the Council’s top job.
“I accept the responsibility of serving as Mayor of Strathbogie Shire with gratitude, humility and determination,” he said.
“There’s a lot of unfinished business.”
Mayor Jeffery said the Shire had faced enormous challenges this year with the Longwood Berrys Lane bushfire breaking out just six weeks into his first Mayoral term.
“Working through this event and the ongoing recovery had the opportunity to make or break us, and through the support of the people in this organisation, our collective team of Councillors and executive, we have been made. I’m very proud of that,” he said.
“Though we have achieved so much this year, our determination must not wane. At this critical halfway mark of our Council term, we still have a lot of work to do.
“Fire recovery and advocacy remain the priority but not at the expense of business as usual. Our future still depends on smart ways of working, incremental improvement, fiscal prowess, delivery to plan and forward-looking investment.
“Last year I said that I sought this office out of a deep sense of responsibility: to honour our past, strengthen our present, and help build a future worthy of those who will come after us. Nothing has changed.
“Ultimately, everything we do must be guided by considering the generations that follow. I want our children and grandchildren to have every opportunity to create fulfilling lives right here – to start businesses, raise families, find meaningful work and experience the same
sense of belonging that we were fortunate enough to inherit.”
Mayor Jeffery congratulated Cr Holloway on his appointment, saying his broad expertise and dedication made him an ideal candidate for the role.
He also thanked the outgoing Deputy Mayor, Claire Ewart-Kennedy, for her exceptional service and ongoing support.
Mayor Jeffery said he would continue to lead with his personal values of “integrity, trust and performance”.
“Together, with clear communication, a strong economic focus and leadership built on trust, we can ensure that Strathbogie Shire remains a place of pride, opportunity and belonging for generations to come.”
“This role is not just a responsibility; it is a privilege rooted in the history and the future of the place we love.”
