Cr Rosie Annear elected Mount Alexander Shire Mayor
Published on 27 November 2024
Councillor Rosie Annear is the new Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire Council, after being elected by Councillors for a one-year term at the November meeting of Council.
Cr Annear, who represents the Barkers Creek Ward, was elected to Council in October 2020 and most recently served as Deputy Mayor for the 2023/2024 term.
Councillor Toby Heydon, who represents the Forest Creek Ward, was elected Deputy Mayor for the 2024/2025 term. Cr Heydon joined Council in October 2024.
Mayor Annear gave a heartfelt speech at last night’s meeting, thanking her fellow Councillors, Council’s Executive team, Council staff and her family and friends for their support.
“It’s a great honour to be elected Mayor in this first year of a new Council,” said Mayor Annear.
“I’d like to thank my fellow Councillors for their support and trust. I will take this role seriously, and fulfil my role to the best of my knowledge and abilities.
“I promise to undertake the role with fairness, kindness, consideration and integrity.
"I will be open, communicative and respectful, and I will always keep community at the heart of everything I do.
“I’m excited to continue to get to know all of my Councillor colleagues better. I know we’re going to be an amazing team and I look forward to working together for the next four years.
“First and foremost, I’d like to thank my kids, Aurora and Odessa. Thank you for your support on this journey, and for always telling me I could do it even when I wasn’t sure. You were right, I can do it – but not without you two.
“Thank you to my parents, Robyn and David - I couldn’t do it without you. Thank you both for your unwavering support. I couldn’t do this without you both having my back at all times.
“I’ve got a bunch of friends I’d like to thank. Without them it would be very hard to feel strong all the time. I’m lucky to have such a strong community of wonderful women around me.
“My time here has been made a lot easier because of the incredible Executive team, as well as Council staff. I can’t tell you how much their support, patience and kindness has helped me in this role, and in my previous Council roles.
“Finally, I’d like to thank the community who elected me four years ago, and for letting me have another go now.
“I’ll continue to work hard to be the best Councillor and Mayor that I can be. It might look a little different on me, but I am a little bit different, so that’s okay.
“Now more than ever, diversity and representation matter. I hope I am able to plant a seed for anyone who has never thought about being a Councillor or Mayor before, or who thinks that they’re not enough to do this. Believe me, you can do a lot more than you think.
“I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to do this again, thank you very much,” said Mayor Annear.
Deputy Mayor, Cr Toby Heydon, thanked his fellow Councillors, Mayor and family for their support and encouragement.
“Thank you, Mayor, and Councillors – it’s a great honour to be elected to Council, and to be elected Deputy Mayor,” said Deputy Mayor Heydon.
“Thank you to my beautiful family; my wife Chrissy and daughter Melody for your support.
“I have served on a lot of boards and committees, and this is a great honour.
“There’s an extraordinary diversity of life experience amongst Councillors and we have a lot to learn from one another.
“I’m really looking forward to the next four years, not least because we get to serve such a wonderful, thriving community – it’s a great honour, thank you again,” said Deputy Mayor Heydon.
Mount Alexander Shire Council is comprised of eight Councillors elected by residents and ratepayers from eight wards.
The current Council was elected in October 2024 and took office in November 2024.
To find out more about Council visit www.mountalexander.vic.gov.auCouncillors.