Leadership change for Mildura Rural City Council as Helen Healy elected new mayor

After a gruelling election campaign, Mildura has a new mayor and some new faces among the councillors. See who took out the top gig.

After a gruelling election campaign, Mildura’s new councillors have been sworn in, including the city’s first female mayor in 24 years.

Helen Healy has been voted by her fellow councillors as the new mayor of Mildura, with veteran campaigner Ali Cupper to serve as deputy mayor at Thursday night’s council meeting

The duo were all smiles as they were elected to their new positions. Ms Cupper won the deputy mayor vote with a majority over Troy Bailey.

Councillor Greg Brown is sworn in as a Mildura Rural City Councillor. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Ms Healy was elected to the top job with a massive majority, getting the nod over long-serving councillor and seven-time mayor Glenn Milne by seven votes to two.

The council’s chief executive, Martin Hawson, chaired the meeting until the new mayor was elected and oversaw the nine councillors getting sworn in.

Mayor Healy was delighted to be elected to the position and was proud to have become the first female mayor in 24 years.

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“It’s a very exciting time for Mildura. I can’t wait to get to work. We have a great councillor group with a good mix of experienced councillors and new councillors,” Ms Healy said.

And the work is already underway with Ms Healy saying dynamic conversations filled with new ideas have already occurred.

Mayor Helen Healy conducts her first piece of business as Mayor of Mildura Rural City Council. Picture: Stuart Kavanagh

Ms Cupper said she was glad to be back involved in local government, which she called, “a real passion of mine”.

“I’ve worked with a few councillor groups, and I am particularly really impressed with this one. It’s a real cross-section of views and I think we will work very well together,” Ms Cupper said.

Seven other councillors were sworn in at the meeting: Katie Clements (City Gate Ward), Rebecca Crossling (Karadoc Ward), Glenn Milne (Kings Billabong Ward), Troy Bailey (Lake Ranfurly Ward), Ian Arney (Millewa Ward), Jodie Reynolds (Nowingi Place Ward), and Greg Brown (Sunset Country Ward).

The next council meeting is November 28.