It was a fitting start to Rural Women’s Day when former Deputy Mayor Susannah Pearse was promoted by her peers to be the new mayor of Moree Plains Shire Council yesterday morning, while Russell Webb was re-elected mayor in Tamworth Regional Council last night.
Pearse defeated challengers Kerry Cassells and Kelly James to take the role she was widely expected to win, and had declared her intentions for before the election. There was a contest for Deputy as well, with Moree TAFE facilities coordinator Wayne Tighe defeating Boggabilla farmer Peter Mailler for the number two spot.
A former marketing executive and Pallamallawa farmer, Pearse has been an impressive performer for Moree Plains both in her previous role in economic development with MPSC, and as Deputy Mayor. Addressing the meeting shortly after her election today she said she was proud of the diverse council that had been elected by the Moree Plains.
“I am proud that this council has a 6:3 female majority, sorry gents but it was your way for a really long time, two Aboriginal councillors, councillors with disabilities, rural councillors, townie councillors, farmers, real estate agents, bus drivers, scientists, nurses, justice advocates, tall councillors, short councillors. We are diverse group that is well equipped to represent the diverse needs of the community – out there – that we serve – in here.”
But in typical Pearse style, she did not muck around in telling her newly assembled team they have work to do.
“We have around 1450 days in the term ahead. We have a large task ahead. We have budgets to manage, financial gaps to address, resources to prioritise, and council systems to improve.”
“We must make ourselves and this entire organisation and all the people who work here accountable, and to deliver that work to ratepayers with better consultation and greater efficiency,” Pearse said.
“The decisions we make at this table will set the conduct and culture of everyone who delivers for our community, and so our decisions must be prudent, informed and considered.”
Pearse is only the second woman to lead the Moree Plains Shire, the other being the formidable Katrina Humphries who served as MPSC Mayor from 2008 to 2021, making her also the longest serving Mayor. Pearse is also the third new female mayor elected in the region in a week, following the election of Kate Dight in Inverell and Margot Davis in Glen Innes.
The four female mayors of New England, including Bronwyn Petrie in Tenterfield who was re-elected unopposed, may yet be joined by more fresh leadership of the XX variety with strong contenders vying for the leadership in Gwydir and Gunnedah.
Quite a contrast to the other election yesterday today in Tamworth, where there are no women on Tamworth Regional Council at all.
Russel Webb was re-elected as mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, defeating Mark Rodda 6-3. There was a similar debate to Glen Innes about the need for secret ballot. Cr Jeff Budd was elected for a one year term as Deputy Mayor, defeating Labor’s Stephen Mears. Webb has been mayor since 2021.
The gallery was quite lively during the meeting, calling out comments about transparency, views about the results and proceedure, and telling the newly formed council ‘we’re watching ya’.
Gunnedah and Liverpool Plains are next up, choosing their new Mayor and Deputy Mayor this afternoon. Both will have new leadership following the departure of Gunnedah’s Jamie Chaffey to federal politics, and the LPSC’s Doug Hawkins being unsuccessful in his re-election bid.
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