Upper Hunter Shire Council Elects Mayor and Deputy Mayor

Published on 14 October 2024

At the extraordinary Council meeting held this morning, Upper Hunter Shire Council elected a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the next two years.

Cr Maurice Collison was elected as Mayor, and Cr Pat Ryan was elected as Deputy Mayor. Both will serve in their respective roles until September 2026, representing Council and advancing key community priorities.

Reflecting on his re-election, Cr Collison said, “I’m honoured by the trust placed in me to return as Mayor, and I look forward to continuing the important work we’ve started. Working together with all Councillors, I’m confident we can deliver the best outcomes for our community. The strength of Council lies in our shared commitment to collaboration and the future of the Upper Hunter.”

During the meeting, Council also made important decisions on two agenda items:

Countback of Votes to Fill Casual Vacancies
Council resolved to adopt the countback of votes method to fill any casual vacancies occurring within the first 18 months after the 2024 Local Government Elections. This decision will save the community the cost of conducting by-elections and allow for a more efficient process in the event of any vacancies.

Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee
Council appointed Cr Adam Williamson as the non-voting Councillor member to the Audit, Risk & Improvement Committee for the four-year Council term. This decision ensures the inclusion of a Councillor’s perspective while maintaining independent oversight of Council’s governance, risk management, and performance improvement functions.