Councillor Matthew Driscoll will lead the Mount Alexander Shire Council as mayor, elected last week for a one-year term.

The Loddon River Ward councillor was elected to council in 2020 and most recently served as deputy mayor for the 2022/2023 term.

Cr Rosie Annear, who represents the Castlemaine Ward and held the role of mayor for the past 12 months, was elected deputy mayor for the 2023/2024 term.

“It is an honour to accept the role of mayor, and I look forward to carrying out this role with integrity and enthusiasm,” Cr Driscoll said.

“As a team, I believe this council has worked towards great things, and I would like to keep up that same momentum as we approach our final term in office.

“My start in life was violent and confusing; we were often homeless and usually poor. I have been very fortunate to break out of a violent poverty cycle, and so working towards easing a housing crisis has become my passion.

“I want to advocate for people within our community who feel that their voice is not heard, and work towards further strengthening community ties where we can all be kinder to one another.”