Maranoa Regional Council mayor Wendy Taylor to donate mayoral chains to commemorate late husband

For the first time in the amalgamated council’s history, the mayor of Maranoa Regional Council will adopt ceremonial regalia after a generous donation.

Maranoa Regional Council mayor, Wendy Taylor, will donate mayoral chains to the council in memory of her late husband, Peter Taylor.

Special events in the Maranoa region are set to become that much more regal with the introduction of mayoral robes.

The question of whether the council should invest in ceremonial robes and chains was introduced in May 2024 by mayor Wendy Taylor.

Maranoa Regional Council voted unanimously to investigate the cost of acquiring mayoral robes and chains at their May 24 ordinary meeting.

The price tag for the regalia was revealed as $7800 in the July 24 ordinary meeting. While the robe would only set the council back $1400, the chains would cost a staggering $6400.

The robes are much like what a barrister might wear in court, however the mayoral chain is made up of “bars” each representing a mayoral term.

As well as the report detailing the cost of the regalia, a letter, penned by Mrs Taylor herself, was read in the July 24 meeting.

“I would like to purchase the chains and donate them to Maranoa Regional Council from Peter and Wendy Taylor,” Mrs Taylor wrote.

Mrs Taylor said the chains would include term bars to extend back to the formation of Maranoa, so Robert Loughnan and Tyson Golder’s terms as mayor would be commemorated.

“I think the people of the Maranoa deserve to have their civic leaders reflect the pride that they have in their region,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Important events should have a dignity to match that pride.

“However, I also understand that with the budgetary challenges we face, this year is not the year to engage in spending that may be seen as unnecessary.

“Peter and I were proud to have raised our family here, and run our business with the support of this community.

“I would be honoured to be able to provide the community with this symbol.”

All nine councillors voted in favour of introducing the robes and chains.

Deputy mayor Cameron O’Neil was the first mover in the motion, and extended heartfelt appreciation to Mrs Taylor for her offer to donate the chains.

“I acknowledge the exceptionally generous offer the mayor has made to donate the chains as a legacy to your mayoralty, but also to recognise Peter and the support that Peter provided to you in your election to mayor,” Mr O’Neil said.

“I want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you mayor Taylor for that offer.”

Councillor Johanne Hancock reiterated her view that the robes and chains are not just a display of pompous grandiosity to make the leader of the day feel important.

“For me this has never been about the mayor, this has always been about the people,” Mrs Hancock said.

“It’s about adding an extra element to the ceremonies where these robes can be worn.

“The chains are about acknowledging that it’s not just about today … its about the service of many mayors that have come before us.”

Mrs Taylor said she would look to source the chains from a local jeweller, and the council invited expressions of interest from a local seamstress to make the robes.