New Mayor elected, former Mayor elected deputy

Published on 19 November 2024

Gannawarra Shire Council has elected its 12th mayor in the municipality’s 30-year history, with Cr Garner Smith to hold the role during 2024/25.

Mayor Smith was elected to Gannawarra Shire Council’s highest community-elected representative position on Monday, 18 November, taking over the role from former Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton, who was elected Deputy Mayor.

First elected to Council in 2020, Mayor Smith was one of four Councillors to be re-elected to Council during the recently held Gannawarra Shire Council elections.

“I appreciate the faith that has been placed in me by both the community and my fellow Councillors in being elected to the role of Mayor,” Mayor Smith said.

“I believe we have a strong group of Councillors who can offer the leadership and the direction that can bring Gannawarra along, as a united community.    

“We have the development of the next Council Plan coming up; a process I am looking forward to as it will define the work Council does in the community for the next four years. If we get this document right and bring the community along with developing this document, I believe we will have a very good four-year period.  

“I thank Cr Stanton for his efforts in the past 12 months as Mayor, as well as Cr Charlie Gillingham for his previous three years as Mayor.”

ABOVE: Cr Keith Link (left), Cr Pat Quinn, Cr Ross Stanton, Mayor Garner Smith, Cr Charlie Gillingham, Cr Daniel Bolitho and Cr Lisa Farrant.

Cr Stanton, who was also re-elected to Council during the 2024 Gannawarra Shire Council election, will hold the role of Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months.

“It was a privilege to represent both my fellow Councillors and the Gannawarra community as their Mayor. During my term I believe I represented Council, my fellow Councillors and the community in a positive, professional and respectful manner, always looking to support our community and the direction of Council,” Cr Stanton said.

TOP: Gannawarra Shire Council's new Mayor, Cr Garner Smith (right) and Deputy Mayor, Cr Ross Stanton.