Golden Plains Shire Councillors 2014 (from Left to Right): Cr Greg Vaughan, Cr Nathan Hansford, Cr Bill McArthur, Cr Jenny Blake, Cr Helena Kirby, Cr Des Phelan, Cr Andrew Cameron.

My history as the child of soldier settlers, experience as a director of a sheep, wool and crop farming enterprise and previous employment in the health care industry all contribute greatly to the way I represent the residents and ratepayers of Golden Plains Shire.

Building relationships with neighbouring Local Governments and State and Federal Government colleagues has been essential in meeting community needs. This has been especially important during the transition from a small rural shire to one that also embraces a peri urban growth area alongside its intensive agriculture and conventional farming. Our Government partnerships are especially important given that State and Federal funding is essential for the ongoing financial sustainability of the municipality.

Golden Plains is built on strong community involvement both in community planning and volunteering in all of our 52 communities and 16 townships.

Each of our communities have volunteer Community Coordinators, and planning groups, who support and build on the strong relationship between Council and its residents. Community planning helps residents bring their ideas and issues before Council so that together we can deliver relevant and community lead projects across the Shire.

Volunteering in all its forms is highly valued in Golden Plains. Many of our services would be severely limited if not for the dedication and generosity of our volunteer drivers, carers and committee of management members.

Strategic planning has held Golden Plains in good stead. Despite droughts, floods, fires, ongoing high population growth and times of great global financial uncertainty, Council has maintained a consistent delivery of services and programs. Council has remained financially sustainable over the past 20 years through long term, considered and strategic planning and strong leadership provided by all the Shire Mayors since 1996.

As Mayor one must work closely with the CEO and Council staff.

Chief Executive Officer, Rod Nicholls, is respected for his leadership of a proficient, valued and diligent staff who work effectively delivering great outcomes. Golden Plains is held in esteem for its work-place culture and achievements.

Over the years it has been a pleasure to see the positive working relationship between our Councillors and our senior staff develop and mature. I believe that our robust and strong relationship is of real benefit to the people of Golden Plains.

Lastly, one cannot undertake the role of a councillor or Mayor without the support of our communities, families and friends and it is an honour to represent and serve them as Mayor in 2014.