Northern Grampians Shire councillor Murray Emerson will serve a second consecutive term as mayor after being re-elected at a statutory meeting on Monday evening.
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Five of six councillors were in attendance at the statutory meeting to vote on the position.
Cr Karen Hyslop resigned from council on Monday afternoon, therefore was absent from the meeting.
NGSC chief executive Liana Thompson officiated the evening and the Swearing-in of councillors - Kevin Erwin, Tony Driscoll, Lauren Dempsey, Rob Haswell and Murray Emerson.
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Cr Emerson said council had a crucial 12 months ahead, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
"It's a pleasure and a privilege to be put into the mayoral position for Northern Grampians Shire, and I appreciate that opportunity," Cr Emerson said.
"... I don't think we could have envisaged this time last year that we would be dealing with a pandemic.
"Unfortunately it has taken up a lot of our time, and some of the other things we could have been attending to have been put on the back burner for a short time.
"I think we are starting to come to what could become Covid normal into the future, which will then allow us to put the extra time back into representing our communities."
Ballot packs were also mailed this week for the Northern Grampians Shire Council by-election.
Voters in Halls Gap and surrounds should check the mail from this week for their ballot packs for the Northern Grampians Shire Council, South West Ward by-election.
Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately is encouraging people to vote as early as possible.
"With the election being conducted by post, voters must complete and return their ballot material as soon as possible to make sure their vote counts," Mr Gately said.
Ballot papers must be in the mail or hand-delivered to the Election Manager by 6 pm Friday, November 27. Voters are advised to check their local mail clearance times.
Voters who haven't received their ballot pack by Wednesday, November 18 should call 1300 128 940 during business hours to arrange a replacement.
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