New Ararat Rural City Council Elect Mayor and Deputy Mayor

On Tuesday 12 November 2024, a Statutory Meeting was held at Ararat Shire Hall to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Ararat Rural City.

Council have elected Cr Jo Armstrong to serve as Mayor, and Cr Bob Sanders to serve as Deputy Mayor of Ararat Rural City.

“It’s the responsibility of our Councillors to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor for each term,” says Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison. “This process demonstrates Council's solidarity, and their nominations reflect a sincere commitment to serving the best interests of our community.”

Newly elected Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong said, “I am deeply honored to be elected as your new Mayor. Thank you for your trust and confidence in me and I look forward to serving our community to the absolute best of my ability, and to uphold the values of Council through open communication and effective teamwork.”

“Thank you so very much to my fellow Counsellors for your support. I am deeply honoured to become Mayor for our new Council term and to serve in this role over the next twelve months”

Cr Jo Armstrong also acknowledged the service of previous Mayor, Bob Sanders, stating “Councillor Sanders, your service over the past year has been very much appreciated. Your positivity and your enthusiasm for getting things done has been a really important factor in the achievements made over our past Council term”

Mayor Jo Armstrong also acknowledged the service of outgoing Councillor Peter Beales, stating “Peter has been a very generous mentor, and he has shared his knowledge, and I have learned personally an enormous amount from him.”

Cr Jo Armstrong thanked Cr Bob Sanders for his positive and enthusiastic leadership whilst serving as Mayor. She also expressed gratitude to outgoing Councillor Peter Beales for his mentorship and shared knowledge.

Councillors elected to have a one-year term for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. 

“A one-year term will allow the council to reassess, and re-evaluate their direction each year, and continue to work with changing community values,” said CEO, Dr Tim Harrison

Several representative positions were also allocated in the meeting, including various delegate and Council committee roles.

The next Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 26 November 2024.

Ararat Rural City Council will soon release the full Council Meeting schedule for the 2024/2025 year and will notify the community of any amendments to this schedule.

Council Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6.00pm to discuss and decide on various Council business items. Meetings are held in-person within the Council Chamber at Shire Hall.

Council Meetings are livestreamed via the Ararat Rural City Council Facebook page.

Following the meeting, a recording of the livestream will available on the Ararat Rural City Council Facebook page. 

Council meetings are open to the public, however, it is requested that members arrive prior to 6:00pm, so that the meeting can commence on time. After 6:00pm the doors will be closed to the public.

The Council Meetings Agenda will be available on Council’s website prior to each Council Meeting. Council Meeting Minutes will be available on Council’s website within one week following the meeting

More information about Council Meetings can be found at: https://www.ararat.vic.gov.au/council/council-meetings 

Image, T - B: Mayor Jo Armstrong; Deputy Mayor Bob Sanders.