Council elections 2024: Who’s elected for South Gippsland Shire
The votes have been counted in the South Gippsland Shire Council elections. Find out who is representing each ward.
Bass Coast News
Don't miss out on the headlines from Bass Coast News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The results are in for the 2024 South Gippsland Shire Council elections.
The South Gippsland council has three wards — Coastal-Promontory Ward, Strzelecki Ward and Tarwin Valley Ward with three councillors in each.
See the faces representing your council.
Get the latest Gippsland news straight to your inbox. Subscribe to our email newsletters.
COASTAL-PROMONTORY WARD
SCOTT RAE (1ST ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1928
Percentage: 28.22%
Councillor and farmer Scott Rae, who was first elected for the Coastal-Promontory Ward, has been representing council for the past four years.
Mr Rae has a background in hospitality, sales and corporate account management at enterprise and government account levels, complex technology design and being a member of the Victorian SEATS executive.
Mr Rae currently farms beef, sheep and timber in Gippsland’s Foster North.
After he was again elected as a councillor, he thanked the community in a video on Facebook alongside his cow Brutus.
“Brutus and I would like to thank you for your support during the election period,” Mr Rae said in the video.
“Thank you for your vote of confidence.”
SARAH GILLIGAN (2ND ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1831
Percentage: 26.80%
Venus Bay woman Sarah Gilligan was the second elected councillor for the Coastal-Promontory Ward and has been representing council for the last three years.
Ms Gillian was also elected as deputy mayor at the council meeting on Wednesday.
Ms Gilligan took to her councillor Facebook page to say being a council was an honour and a “massive job”.
“One I’ve learned so much from,” she said.
Mr Gilligan’s coastal strategy also won the 2024 Victorian Marine and Coastal Award for “Leadership in Climate Adaption and Resilience”.
She also helped the Fish Creek’s Festival of Stories open up this week.
“Amazing turn out despite the wind and rain — so much talent in the hood and some seriously good writers, illustrators and artists from further afield,” Ms Gilligan said.
“Gotta love this place — South Gippsland is chocka block full of creativity and today it was shared with young and old.”
STEVE FINLAY (3RD ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1575
Percentage: 23.06%
Leongatha man Steve Finlay was the final councillor to be re-elected for the Coastal-Promontory Ward.
Mr Finlay has served as a councillor for several years and said the reason he was standing again was to represent the people.
“I’ve had enough of bureaucracies, back slapping, box ticking and bowing to the bureaucracy,” he said.
“It’s time for transparency, accountability and community representation.”
STRZELECKI WARD
NATHAN HERSEY (1ST ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1978
Percentage: 27.34%
Nathan Hersey, who was the mayor of South Gippsland Shire Council in 2023, has been re-elected for the Strzelecki Ward.
Mr Hersey has served in council for three years, with experience in the federal government, the board, cabinet ministers advisor, aid and development work, humans resources management and business management.
The farmer and father also studied a Bachelor of Arts.
In a letter to residents during the election period, Mr Hersey said it had been an honour and privilege to serve in council as a councillor, deputy mayor and mayor and having a strong record of delivering for the community and actively engaging in local matters.
“I have a proven record of strong advocacy,” he said.
“I am proud to have been part of a council that has brought about positive change and that has returned stability and trust, following a previous period of dysfunction and inaction by council.”
After Mr Hersey was re-elected, he said on his Facebook page he was grateful to serve again.
“I look forward to continuing to represent and work collaboratively with our residents and ratepayers, to bring about positive change,” Mr Hersey wrote.
“I will continue to work for the benefit of us all and our local area.
“I commit to continuing to listen closely to the needs and desires or other and take appropriate action at a local government level.
“I’m blown away by the strong vote and support that I have received.”
BRON BEACH (2ND ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1679
Percentage: 23.20%
Korumburra local Bron Beach has also been elected into the Strzelecki Ward.
Ms Beach took to her Facebook page her excitement on getting to serve as a councillor.
“Thank you Strzelecki Ward for placing your trust in me to represent you for the next four years in the South Gippsland Shire,” she wrote.
“Huge thanks to Clare Williams for the coffee date and encouragement that led to my decision to run as a candidate.
“I am so grateful for all the support along the campaign trail from many others, you know who you are.
“I now look forward to working alongside the newly elected group for our community.”
JOHN KENNEDY (3RD ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1747
Percentage: 24.14%
Korumburra small business operator John Kennedy was the Strzelecki Ward’s third elected councillor.
Mr Kennedy pushed for the extension of the Great Southern Rail Trail to Korumburra and other towns including Nyora, Bena and Loch.
TARWIN VALLEY WARD
JOHN SCHELLING (1ST ELECTED)
First preference votes: 2405
Percentage: 35.85%
Leongatha man and fisherman John Schelling was the first elected councillor for council’s Tarwin Valley Ward.
Mr Schelling was also hit with big news on Wednesday as he was elected as mayor.
He said rate capping, cost shifting and regional roads were the key issues impacting the community.
CLARE WILLIAMS (2ND ELECTED)
First preference votes: 1805
Percentage: 26.91%
Clare Williams from Leongatha was South Gippsland Shire Council’s mayor this year, and is excited to be re-elected as a councillor in the Tarwin Valley Ward.
Ms Williams has background experience of being a chief officer at Bj’s Earthmoving in Leongatha and studying primary education at Swinburne University.
The Gippsland mum is also passionate about the dairy industry.
Ms Williams took to her Facebook page her aim was to build a “united” council group to secure the future for communities to make everyone proud to be South Gippslanders.
“The future success of South Gippsland Shire hinges on progressive and enthusiastic team players with focus, drive and an inclusive attitude to improve our region,” she wrote.
“Supporting local business and agriculture generates opportunity, which flows on to support our groups and clubs so they can be a service to our communities, creating experiences and enjoyment for all of us.
“We must plan to provide opportunities of recreational, residential and industrial spaces that service our community needs, ones that we will all be proud of and create liveability across our shire that attracts business, residents and tourism opportunities.”
BRAD SNELL (3RD ELECTED)
First preference votes: 524
Percentage: 7.81%
Mirboo North local Brad Snell has secured the final spot in council’s Tarwin Valley Ward.
Mr Snell took to his candidate Facebook page to say he was “very pleased” to be serving in council.
“Much love to those who have been supportive throughout this period — I’m super stoked to be part of a great team,” he wrote.
“There is lots to do in the coming weeks in stepping into the role — a busy calendar year ahead.”
Mr Snell has pushed for the Mirboo North Swimming Pool’s repairs so it could reopen for public use — an issue impacting the local community.
Bass Coast sale and auction results, week ending June 21
See the latest auction and sales results on the Bass Coast for last week.
Group of teens break windows, yell at children in Yarragon
A group of teens have stirred up trouble in a small Gippsland town by smashing the windows of the local primary school, climbing on football club equipment and yelling at children.