Chirnside Ward Councillor, Richard Higgins, has been elected as Mayor of the Yarra Ranges for the next 12 months, with Chandler Ward Councillor, Gareth Ward, elected as his deputy.
The two Councillors were elected on Tuesday, 11 November by their peers.
Cr Higgins said he had pondered what he would say if elected, until he drove from Chirnside to Lilydale's Civic Centre for the meeting.
"I was trying to think of the words, about what it's like to be looking after this wonderful place," he said.
"As I came down the hill, there was a full, complete rainbow across the Yarra Ranges. I looked down into the Yarra Valley and thought, 'how appropriate'.
"It's a fortune, it's a treasure. This place is a pot of gold. Our Councillors have different attributes and are all unique, but one thing we have in common is that we're looking after our communities where we live.
"We've got some real challenges in the Yarra Ranges. We've got urban and rural areas, we've got natural disasters that are going to come our way. But I believe that I'm up to the challenge. I'll strive to do my best, to rise to the occasion. I'm sure I'll be able to, because I'll have my fellow Councillors with me."
Cr Ward said he was looking forward to working closely with Cr Higgins over the coming year.
"It's going to be a really great year ahead," he said.
"I know we share the same commitment to serving our residents with transparency, respect and a genuine drive to make our community stronger.
"Thank you to my fellow Councillors for placing your trust and confidence in me. I'll tackle this role with humility, hard work and integrity. I'm truly honoured and I look forward to doing my very best."
Cr Higgins and Cr Ward paid tribute to the work of former Mayor, Cr Jim Child during the last year.
"Giving guidance in the first term of a new Council is always hard – four Councillors had never done it before, five of us think we know everything, and you brought us into line," Cr Higgins said.
"Your door was always open, you've given us guidance and you've helped shape us all in different ways. Thank you, Jim."
"Over the past year, Cr Child's leadership has guided this Council through some challenging and defining moments," Cr Ward said.
"You've set a high bar in professionalism and commitment to our community, and I wanted to thank you for the example you've set for us all."
