Council
16 November, 2024
Council term now done and dusted
Hindmarsh Shire Council ended the four year council term on Wednesday October 23, as they farewell four existing councillors including mayor Brett Ireland.
After the adoption of council's 2023/24 Annual Report, planning permits and noting of Rainbow Township Advisory Committee meeting minutes, three of the four outgoing councillors expressed their gratitude towards the community and council.
Cr Ireland congratulated all councillors on finishing a four year term.
"You all handled yourselves with integrity, engaged in lively debate, attended delegated committees, represented your communities at events and all those, without exception, made decisions I truly believe were for the betterment of your communities," he said.
"Being on council, while sometimes challenging, is a rewarding experience and a pinnacle of representing community at the highest level."
He then spoke to each leaving councillor, Wendy Bywaters, Melanie Albrecht and Rob Gersch.
"Cr Bywaters, no one can deny your passion for your community and your courage to stand for minority groups who don’t always have access to a voice," Cr Ireland said.
“Cr Albrecht, input you had in debate questions to briefing presenters and your in-depth assessment of reports put to council, was exceptional and assisted council to move on decisions with an informed view.
"You were the mayor for 12 months, also something to hold in high esteem.
“Cr Gersch what can you say, calling it a day after 39 years on Council and you also served as justice of the peace for 40 years. You had the honour of picking up an Order of Australia along the way.
"Your community is indebted to you to sacrifice so much of your life to ensure we prosper into the future.
Cr Ireland also looked back at the council term and said it had many highlights.
"Amongst some of my favourites are my committees, networking at summits and NGA in Canberra, speaking at many community events and engaging with all walks of life," he said.
"To all the community groups I have had the pleasure of engaging with, thank you for your tireless efforts in providing services, beautifying our town and so many activities that make our towns better a better place to live.
"To those councillors continuing or facing election and all community members who have nominated, I wish you all the best."
Cr Bywaters recounted her eight year journey on council and the part she played in her communities.
"This has been life experience for me," she said.
She briefly spoke about the shire's youth council.
"I'm so proud of the youth council over the past few years," Cr Bywaters said.
"They are our future and some of them have become our staff."
Veteran Hindmarsh councillor Gersch struggled to find the right words to sum up his time in council.
"I walked down to the front gates like a normal day in 40 years I suppose and I’m not sure what sort of feelings I had," he said.
"Then I came in here on my own and reflected back, it has been a great journey, it was half a lifetime."
Even though his time on council has come to an end he said he will continue to follow with interest.
"I wish Hindmarsh Shire and councillors and senior staff all the very best for the future," Cr Gersch said.