Only one nomination was put forward for the position of Mayor, that being Councillor Chris Manchester who was elected unopposed. Councillor Manchester has previously served as Mayor of the Harden Shire on two occasions totalling 10 years.

There were two nominations put forward for the position of Deputy Mayor, one for first time Councillor Tony Flanery and one for the previous Deputy Mayor, Councillor Pat O’Connor. Councillor Flanery was elected Deputy Mayor five votes to two.

Both Councillors Manchester and Flanery will hold these positions for one year until September 2009 when all positions will be again declared vacant.

The five new Councillors, Scott Collins, Tony Madden, Neil Reid, Tony Flanery and Tony Campbell all took their places in the Chamber with returning Councillors Pat O’Connor and Chris Manchester. After the election of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor the Councillors next had to decide if the meeting times were to be changed. All councillors agreed to stay with the current schedule of meeting on the third Wednesday of each month at 5pm.

Councillors then appointed representatives to each of Council’s committees. These appointments again are for one year and will be reviewed at the September 2009 meeting.

A full list of the Council committees and the Councillors appointed to them appears on page 5 of this weeks Harden Murrumburrah Express.