November 29th, 2020Mayor back at Macedon Ranges

Councillors also elected fellow West Ward and first-time councillor, Cr Mark Ridgeway as Deputy Mayor.
Cr Anderson said she was looking forward to the year ahead, thanked her fellow councillors for their support and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung elder Uncle Bill Nicholson, who performed a Smoking Ceremony prior to the council meeting.

For thousands of years the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung have employed Smoking Ceremonies to cleanse places and people of bad spirits to promote the wellbeing of their people as well as guests on country.
Cr Anderson mentioned that Uncle Bill had shared a word which meant “unity” and, while she felt it not appropriate to use the word herself, it was appropriate to the coming together of a new council.

“Unity is very, very important, both amongst our councillors, with our staff and the community, and I think united the Macedon Ranges has already achieved an awful lot of things and we can continue to do that together,” she said.
“Thank you for electing me as your mayor, and I know we are going to have a fantastic year together and a fantastic four years ahead.”
Cr Ridgeway said he was very honoured to be appointed deputy mayor and was looking forward to supporting and working with the mayor and fellow councillors over the next year.
The first scheduled council meeting for the new council was held last Wednesday, November 25 and was livestreamed.
Images: Macedon Ranges Shire Council