Council
13 September, 2024
Names shape up for council showdown
At least six new faces are among nine candidates - all men - who say they are making a bid to join Horsham Rural City Council as the race for the upcoming election hots up.
However, three sitting councillors - including mayor Robyn Gulliune - are refusing to disclose if they will stand for re-election.
Cam McDonald was first to put his name in the frame for May Park Ward, after nominations opened on Monday.
Mr McDonald, 58, lives in Brimpaen and has run the Grampians Horse Riding Centre for many years.
Describing himself as semi-retired, he said the new ward structure appealed because it offered an opportunity for direct representation.
"I'm passionate about Horsham," he said. "But I can't ride horses forever."
Dean O'Loughlin is a candidate for Green Park Ward.
"A lot of people - and myself - would like to see a positive way forward," he said.
"I'm not one to not have a go."
Mr O'Loughlin, 53, works in the community services and development sector.
At 30 years old, Sunnyside farmer, Todd Wilson is the youngest confirmed nominee, standing in Horsham North.
"I'm frustrated with the way council is operating at the moment," he said.
"The only way is to get in and try to do something about it."
Toby Haynes was the fourth new candidate registered with the Victorian Electoral Commission, and he has elected to stand in Pine Lake Ward. He was contacted for comment.
Two other contenders say they will be nominating, although they were yet to officially nominate.
One of them, Brian Basham, narrowly missed out on being elected to council four years ago.
Mr Basham, 60, is a mental health counsellor who lives in Haven, and owner of the Creekside Hotel in Warracknabeal.
He won 500 first preference votes in 2020, only 58 fewer than Claudia Haenel, and 79 more than Bob Redden, who was elected on a countback after Di Bell resigned. He died on August 8.
"I have been following council for six years and I'm frustrated where it ended up recently," he said.
"We need to return council to the community. We need to listen, hear and act in their best interest."
He will be competing directly against Dean O'Loughlin if Green Park remains his preferred ward.
The sixth potential newcomer so far is Natimuk farmer Brian Klowss, 49, who has his eyes set on the Wyn Wyn Ward seat.
"The average person needs a voice," he said. "People outside Horsham need a voice.
"They are also members of the community and need to be treated better."
Only one councillor has registered his credentials with the VEC.
Cr David Bowe, 52, has confirmed he is standing for re-election in Oatlands Ward.
"I have a deep understanding of the issues and needs of the people in Oatlands, as well as across the municipality, and I want to see these addressed," he told The Horsham Times.
Horsham Police officer, Cr Les Power, said he would be putting his name on the ballot paper, and he was "leaning towards" standing for May Park Ward, which would pit him against newcomer Cam McDonald.
"I am community minded and have always been that way," Cr Power said.
"The community needs to go forward. Horsham is on the move."
Cr Ian Ross, 64, who farms in Telangatuk, said he was "seriously considering" standing for re-election.
However, he was yet to confirm his nomination or preferred ward.
The three remaining councillors - Robyn Gulline, Penny Flynn and Claudia Haenel - were keeping tight-lipped on their prospects.
Councillors Flynn and Haenel did not return multiple calls or emails.
When asked whether or not she would be seeking re-election, Cr Gulline responded in an email: "I remain a councillor and mayor until the election day regardless of my decision to renominate or not."
The Horsham municipality will be split into seven wards at this election, each represented by one councillor.
If all sitting councillors and the six "outsiders" confirm their nominations, five of the 12 will miss out, notwithstanding other unknown candidates yet to step forward.
However, strategic nominations also could come into play.
If there is only one nominee in any ward, that person will be elected unopposed.
At time of going to press, no ward had more than one confirmed candidate, and there were no names registered with the VEC for Kalimna or Wyn Wyn wards.
Nominations close on Tuesday September 17.
Additional reporting: Caitlin Menadue