Hepburn Shire councillor Brian Hood has been re-elected as mayor, and Cr Juliet Simpson was elected deputy mayor this week.

Cr Brian Hood was elected to the Coliban Ward in October 2020 and has held a number of senior management positions across public and private sector organisations, mostly as a Chief Finance Officer. 

He is a company director and chair of the company that operates the Trentham & District Community Bank.  He was also an AFL level umpire and secretary of the AFL Umpires Association and is a life member of that organisation.

“I am honoured to have been re-elected as mayor of Hepburn Shire. Council has achieved much in the past year,” he said.

“As we enter the final year of our term there are significant and fundamental challenges before us as an organisation — including the extensive and ongoing program of road repair works and the pressing need for long term financial and strategic planning.

“I look forward to working with my councillor colleagues, the CEO and his executive team as we embrace those challenges on behalf of the community.”

Cr Simpson was elected to represent the Holcombe Ward in October 2020.

Cr Hood acknowledged the contribution of former Deputy Mayor Lesley Hewitt.

“Cr Lesley Hewitt was a great support to me in my pervious term as mayor. Her professionalism and dedication to our community is evident and much appreciated,” he said.

“Congratulations to Cr Juliet Simpson on her election to the role of deputy mayor. I look forward to working closely with her.”