Onkaparinga Council votes against endorsing Lorraine Rosenberg for Local Government Association’s Joy Baluch award

AN Adelaide mayor, who once branded her colleagues “gutless wonders”, has missed the chance of winning a prestigious leadership award, after her own councillors refused to back her nomination.

Onkaparinga Council mayor and LGA president Lorraine Rosenberg.

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AN Adelaide mayor who once branded her colleagues “gutless wonders” has missed out on the chance of winning a prestigious leadership award, after her own councillors refused to back her nomination.

Onkaparinga Council voted Tuesday night against endorsing Lorraine Rosenberg for the Local Government Association’s Joy Baluch accolade, which is given to a female who has made a significant contribution to their council and community over the past year.

The award’s criteria stipulates nominees must demonstrate “extraordinary leadership”. However, only five out of 14 councillors voted in favour of nominating Ms Rosenberg, pictured, who is also LGA president.

Onkaparinga spent much of last year arguing about the size of the council, before proposing to cut the number of councillors from 20 to 12 at its next elections in November.

Ms Rosenberg also came under fire for a Facebook post in May, in which she labelled councillors “gutless wonders” for failing to defend the council’s decision to pay chief executive Mark Dowd’s $6818 joining fee at Kooyonga Golf Club.

Cr Don Chapman said Ms Rosenberg, who supported axing councillors, was not worthy of the award because she had divided the council.

“The criteria says a nomination needs to be inspirational, innovative and beneficial,” Cr Chapman told the meeting. “Her leadership has not been beneficial, her leadership had been characterised by divisiveness.’’

IMAGES: LIFE AND TIMES OF JOY BALUCH

The Joy Baluch award is named after the long-serving Port Augusta mayor, who died of cancer in May 2013.

Cr Heather Merritt said Ms Rosenberg displayed excellent leadership qualities.

“I put forward this nomination for council approval for one reason, and one reason only, that our mayor, Lorraine Rosenberg, is an outstanding and worthwhile candidate,” Cr Merritt said.

Cr Gail Kilby was disappointed her colleagues did not support the nomination.

“Whether you like Lorraine’s politics or not, something like this is not a personal issue. She is a hardworking mayor,” Cr Kilby said.

Ms Rosenberg, who was not at the meeting because of a “personal commitment”, hit out at her council’

s decision. “I find it insulting in the extreme,” Ms Rosenberg said.

“My role in doing my job is to represent the views of council, and I would challenge anyone on the council to show me when I have not when a decision has been made.

In May last year, Cr Chapman called for a debate on Ms Rosenberg’s future, including if she should step down after the golf club saga.