Councillor Paul Truscott elected Fraser Coast Deputy Mayor

After Darren Everard spent four years in the role, the position of Fraser Coast deputy mayor has now been filled by another councillor.

Just weeks after signalling his intention to run for the position of deputy mayor, Councillor Paul Truscott has been voted into the role by his colleagues.

The decision was made at the monthly meeting of the Fraser Coast Regional Council on Wednesday, with incumbent deputy mayor Darren Everard losing the vote (which is conduced via secret ballot) to continue in the role.

Following the vote, Mayor George Seymour congratulated Cr Truscott and thanked Cr Everard for his work in the role over the past four years.

He told the Chronicle Cr Everard had provided a “great model” for future occupants of the public role.

The decision follows a lively debate in last month’s council meeting, during which there was a vote to vacate the role.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour with new Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott and Councillor Darren Everard.

At last month’s meeting, Councillor David Lewis was the only elected member who didn’t see the need to go through the process of declaring the position vacant and voting on either the incumbent or other contenders, preferring an option that had been given to councillors to simply note a report but take no further action as he was “comfortable with the current arrangement”.

But while other councillors said they also applauded Cr Everard’s work in the role, they were keen to see the position put to a vote.

Cr Truscott, a fifth-generation Maryborough local who currently holds Division 3, told the Chronicle he was looking forward to making a contribution in his new role.

“I’m very grateful to have been supported by my colleagues to the position of Deputy Mayor,” he said.

“I look forward to working closely with and assisting Mayor George Seymour and continuing to represent the region in this new capacity.

“I want to extend my sincere appreciation to my colleague and friend, Councillor Darren Everard, for his time having served as the longest Deputy Mayor on the Fraser Coast and I thank him for his hard work and dedication – I’ve got big shoes to fill.”