Stefan Bradley
THE ballot lines have officially been drawn for the Wellington Shire Council elections, with 16 candidates putting their name forward across the three wards.
Nominations for the election closed at noon on Tuesday, and the random ballot was drawn by the Victorian Electoral Commission 10am Wednesday morning at the Wellington Shire Council Election Office (former Fulham TAFE campus). The entire process took less than 10 minutes.
The position on the ballot paper was determined by a single random draw conducted by computer, which was projected on a screen for those present. The VEC has conducted these ballots using a computer for state elections since 1999, and in council elections since 2008.
Four of the current nine councillors have opted not to run. Mayor Ian Bye and deputy mayor Gayle Maher, alongside Carolyn Crossley and Jill Wood will not appear on the ballot.
Scott Rossetti, John Tatterson, Garry Stephens, Marcus McKenzie and Carmel Ripper are the current councillors asking voters to give them another term.
Appearing alongside them will be Cindy Madeley, Catherine Bannerman, Geoff Wells, Liz Foat, Cameron (Jamie) Hogan, Jacob Veldhuizen, Robin Sidebotham, Paul Mayer, Edward Lowe, Christos Iliopoulos and Kevin Christensen.
All candidates present at the ballot draw were in cheerful spirits, matching the sunny day outside. All expressed excitement about the upcoming election and were keen to represent their communities and work with the other councillors.
There are three wards – Central, Coastal and Northern – and each will see three candidates elected. You will vote for the candidates in your ward only. The boundaries of the wards have changed for this election.
The Central Ward includes Sale, Wurruk, Bundalaguah and Meerlieu, while Maffra, Heyfield, Stratford and the High Country are in the Northern Ward. Rosedale, Longford and Denison are among the localities which are now in the Coastal Ward, alongside Yarram, Seaspray and Loch Sport.
Photo: Stefan Bradley
The election will be conducted entirely by mail. Starting October 7, ballot packs will be sent out to all enrolled voters containing a ballot paper, candidate statements and envelopes to post your vote.
Post your vote or drop it off at the election office before 6pm on Friday, October 25. The address for the election office is: Former Fulham TAFE, 19 Lyon Crescent, Fulham.
The election results will be officially declared on Friday, November 15.
Check your enrolment and find more information about the candidates and the election at www.vec.vic.gov.au
