Council & Politics
12 November, 2024
Former Ararat Rural City Council mayor Jo Armstrong returns to top job
Cr Jo Armstrong was elected Ararat Rural City Council mayor.
A new cohort of councillors have voted with the public's voice in mind, installing Cr Jo Armstrong as mayor of the Ararat Rural City Council for the next 12 months.
Cr Armstrong received 1757 first preference votes during the 2024 local government elections.
At the Council's statutory meeting on Tuesday, November 12, Cr Armstrong was unanimously elected mayor, with former mayor Cr Bob Sanders to serve as her deputy.
"I am deeply honoured to be elected as your new mayor," Cr Armstrong said.
"Thank you for your trust and confidence in me, and I look forward to serving our community to the absolute best of my ability and to uphold the values of Council through open communication and effective teamwork."
The newly installed mayor thanked Cr Sanders for his positive and enthusiastic leadership during the past 12 months.
Cr Armstrong also expressed gratitude to outgoing councillor Peter Beales for his mentorship and shared knowledge.
The next council meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.
Cr Armstrong heavily backed by voters
Results of the 2024 local government elections were announced on Thursday, November 7, at about 3.30pm.
The newly elected mayor earned twice the number of first-preference votes as her next competitor; the surplus of Cr Armstrong's first-preference votes was distributed, and Bob Sanders and Teli Kaur were elected.
On first preference, Cr Sanders received 688 votes (10.38 (per cent), while Ms Kaur collected 743 votes (11.21 per cent).
Peter Joyce was the fourth successful candidate with 592 votes (8.93 per cent).
Luke Preston is one of three newcomers to the ARCC alongside Ms Kaur and Mr Joyce.
Mr Preston, the fifth successful candidate, received 663 (10 per cent) of first preference votes.
First-term councillors Bill Waterson and Rob Armstrong were re-elected to the council as the sixth and seventh successful candidates, respectively.
Mr Waterson received 486 (7.33 per cent) of first preference votes, while Mr Armstrong had 343 (5.18 per cent).
Incumbent Peter Beales was one of five candidates that were not successful.