'Disappointing' result in Goulburn Mulwaree Council mayoral election | Letter

That Bob Kirk was dusted by one vote by Peter Walker, after topping the poll by a significant margin, is disappointing to say the least. That Peter Walker was elected only after a dozen or more preference distributions, and ironically after receiving 400 or so of Bob's preferences, only adds insult to injury.

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I have to declare an interest before I proceed, in that I engaged Bob in conversation in the back bar of the Carlton Hotel after The Stockies were beaten one miserable Sunday afternoon in 2008. We decided to contest the Council elections due just two months hence. No deals, no strategies, just an idea that we'd "have a go."

First time candidate Carol James topped the poll in that election and despite the fact that there were two former mayors, Margaret O'Neill and Max Hadlow, also elected, Carol won the mayoral vote uncontested. Bob was elected and served as Carol's loyal deputy.

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I had the pleasure of serving with Bob for one term and witnessed first hand the energy and integrity that he brought to this community. We learnt very early that progress in local government was painfully slow, particularly in a state and federal electorate that was politically impotent and therefore not a beneficiary of the "pork barrel."

That being the reality, the very first initiative that we championed was the creation of grants officer position in council. The Oallen Ford bridge, above the flood-line, the Lansdowne Bridge replacement and the offset Rossi Bridge refurbishment, the new pool, the Victoria Park playground, the entertainment centre, the Veolia Arena, are just a few of the projects that are now a reality, due in large measure to the work of the grants officers.

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I am not sure just what forces were in play last Tuesday to convince both the "party" representatives, Jason Shepherd from Labor and Andrew Woods from the Shooters and Fishers, to support Peter Walker over Bob Kirk. It would be interesting for The Post to ask those councillors a few in-depth questions. I just hope we find out exactly what went down.

Have a good week.

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