First time councillor and local farmer Liesbeth Long has been appointed the Central Goldfields Shire’s new mayor and will see out the current council’s four-year term in office. 

At a statutory council meeting on Tuesday, councillors unanimously determined Ms Long, councillor for the Flynn Ward, will serve as mayor for the coming 12 months, taking the position on from Cr Grace La Vella. 

Cr Long will see out the fourth and final year of the current council’s term, with local government elections set to be held again in 2024. 

Speaking at Tuesday’s meeting, outgoing mayor Cr La Vella thanked her fellow councillors for their support over the past year, stating it had been a highlight for her. 

“This year has been exciting, challenging at times, but more so rewarding,” she said. 

“I have been asked many times what my highlights have been and I struggle with this, as the mayoral journey has been the highlight for me. 

“Thank you councillors for being fantastic to work with and without your genuine love and support for our community, the outcomes may have been very different. 

“I congratulate Liesbeth Long on being the new mayor and I will support you totally throughout your whole year.” 

In her inaugural mayoral speech, Cr Long acknowledged her own family history — both through marriage and blood — of councillors for the Tullaroop Shire (before amalgamation) and her great grandfather Wybrand van der Weide, a councillor and mayor of a small Dutch municipality. 

“Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think my life’s path would lead me down this road,” she said. 

“You could say it’s been 54 years in the making. However, I feel that right now, right here is exactly where I want and need to be.

“My motivation for this role comes from a deep sense of wanting to serve and have a positive impact on other people and the world around me.” 

Cr Long acknowledged the position of mayor will come with a “steep learning curve”, but one she plans to embrace. 

“I will dedicate myself wholly to the task at hand because I dearly want to see the shire prosper and thrive, the population to be engaged and to be proud of where they live,” she said. 

“The mayoralty will be a steep learning curve for me. It will be by far the biggest and most challenging leadership role I’ve ever held, one that I will embrace whole heartedly and not shy away from when difficult decisions need to be made.”