councillor Heather Mutimer

made history when she was

named Hepburn Shire Council's

new mayor on Friday, December 2.

Cr Mutimer became

Coliban ward's first mayor

and council's second female

mayor.

She was elected unopposed

at council's statutory meeting held at Daylesford's Town Hall, with newly

elected Holcombe ward

councillor Bill McClenaghan

elected her deputy mayor.

More than 100 shire residents

applauded Cr Mutimer as she accepted the position.

Cr Mutimer said she was

truly humbled and honoured

her fellow councillors had

placed their faith and trust

in her.

In her speech, she paid tribute to Bernadette Stamatov, who died

suddenly on November 29 suffering

a massive heart attack,

just three days after being

elected the new Cameron

ward councillor.

Cr Mutimer said she would

work with council over the

next 12 months ensuring

council was committed to

good governance.

"I hold the principles of

integrity and honesty high,"

she said.

"And I am confident that

the councillors who sit be

fore you here tonight as your

elected representatives hold

those principles high."

Cr Mutimer said there

were new and old challenges

ahead of council.

"There are important pro

jects to complete and begin,"

she said.

She also said there was a

budget to formulate.

Cr McClenaghan along

with Creswick ward council

lor Janine Booth and Birch

ward councillor David Smith

congratulated Cr Mutimer.

"We have had excellent

community response," Cr

Smith said.

"I look forward to working

with Heather. She is very

approachable and has three

years' experience."

Cr Booth said she looked

forward to the year while Cr

McClenaghan believed Cr

Mutimer earned her pos

ition.

"It's definitely her turn," he

said.

Council's chief executive

officer Victor Szwed con

gratulated Cr Mutimer on

behalf of council's staff.

"We will work close with

her on important policies

and strategies," he said.

"I am certain the Coliban

ward community are thrilled

Heather Mutimer is council

lor and mayor. It's wonderful

to have a female mayor."

The new council will hold

its first meeting, and the last

for the year, at the Dayles

ford Town Hall on Tuesday,

December 20, at 7pm.