Max Arnott elected to Colac Otway Shire Council

Published on 02 March 2023

Colac Otway Shire Council is pleased to welcome Max Arnott to the role of Councillor following a VEC countback Wednesday.

Chief Executive Officer Anne Howard conducted the oath of office with Cr Arnott Wednesday afternoon which marks official commencement with Council.

Cr Arnott is an active member of the community having served on the Board of Colac Area Health up to 2017, including as Treasurer and Chair, as Director of Hesse Rural Health Board and currently, as Colac Area Health Foundation Board Chair. Cr Arnott was awarded a Life Membership of the Apex Club of Colac and is also a past member of the Rotary Club of Colac West.

Born and raised in Colac, Cr Arnott and his wife, Assunta raised their three children in Colac with Cr Arnott working as a financial advisor before retiring in 2013.

Mayor and Councillors were present at official proceedings with Mayor Chris Potter welcoming Cr Arnott to Council.

“On behalf of Councillors I welcome Cr Arnott to the role, he brings a good deal of knowledge and experience from his professional career as well as his work with local boards and organisations.

“We are looking forward to working together as a Council for our Colac Otway community,” Cr Potter said.

Cr Arnott said he hopes to represent all sectors of the Colac Otway community.

“My key message is that I want to make sure I represent everybody in the community equally, I’m here to hear the opinions of all Councillors to create diversity, and I think that will be our strength in working together.

“Creating a positive culture starts with us as Councillors, that feeds down through the executive team, through to employees of Council, and employees must by supported by us, as Councillors, to do their job so that we all support the community of Colac Otway Shire. 

“I’d like to see a real partnership between Council and the people, so that we can share positive results together and achieve better outcomes for the community,” Cr Arnott said.