Cameron O’Neil appointed as deputy mayor of the Maranoa Regional Council

The post-election meeting of the Maranoa Regional Council has set the tone for the next four years. Find out everything that went down.

Maranoa Regional Council meeting, April 9 2024. Cameron O'Neil was appointed as deputy mayor. Photo: Kristina Ayers.

The new mayor and suite of councillors sat together in the Maranoa Regional Council chambers for the first time, for their post-election meeting.

In the meeting, the new mayor and councillors spoke to those in attendance, and some big preliminary decisions were made.

New mayor, Wendy Taylor, gave an emotional address during the post-election meeting.

Wendy Taylor was sworn in as the first female mayor of the Maranoa Regional Council on April 4. Photo: Kristina Ayers.

“I’d like to thank you all for coming here today to see your new council, start the journey for the next four years,” Mrs Taylor said.

“I feel honoured to be your mayor, and thank you for putting your trust in me to guide this council for the next term.

“I know I have a lot to learn, and I know I will always do my utmost best for you, always.

“My commitment is that this new council will work hard with honesty, integrity, openness and transparency.”

Cameron O’Neil, entering his fourth term as a council member, said in this term he would continue on his mission to create a sustainable future for young people in the Maranoa region.

Mr O’Neil also said he noted that the majority of council members were under 50, making this council one of the youngest cohorts in the region’s history.

“This council’s composition is unprecedented.” Mr O’Neil said.

Mr O’Neil said he looked forward to working with independent councillors, and listed his hopes to reinstate councillor portfolios and that councillors be able to speak on behalf of council.

Joh Hancock, re-elected for her second term on the Maranoa Regional Council, reflected on her previous term, which she said was both “rewarding and challenging”.

“I look forward to working together with my fellow councillors, and the community to achieve progressive and sustainable outcomes for our region,” Mrs Hancock said.

John Birkett, also elected to council for his second term, thanked outgoing mayor and council members Tyson Golder, Geoff McMullen, Julie Guthrie, Mark Edwards and George Ladbrook.

“I believe they were respectful, showed empathy and integrity, and not only to everyone in the community, but to everyone in the organisation,” Mr Birkett said.

“The previous council achieved a lot in the Maranoa over the last term and these people were vital to that coming to fruition, and we will feel the loss moving forward.

“This term council will be challenged to continue the value add on the great work of the previous four years.”

Mr Birkett said he was concerned by the use of social media as a tool in election campaigning, and blamed it for he decrease in the number of candidates running for office.

“Social media being used as a tool in the election process ensures the disintegration of integrity, and sees it play more like a reality show,” he said.

“Negativity is not a way forward for our council or our community.

“Respect is a thing that is earned, and once it is gone it takes a lot to get back.”

Jane Vincent, elected for her first time as a councillor on the Maranoa Regional Council, said she was excited to work with such a broad-ranging demographic around the table.

Brendan Seawright, also elected for a first time, thanked the community for their support, and for all previous councils for paving the way for himself, and for the community.

Amber Davis, another first-timer, also said she thanked her community and family for fuelling her determination to bring change in the region.

Peter Flynn, brought experience in spades, with his eighth declaration of office. This will be Mr Flynn’s third term on the Maranoa Regional Council, with a further five terms under his belt before amalgamation in 2012.

Mr Flynn said he was committed to making the Maranoa a better place for generations to come.

Finally, newcomer Meryl Brumpton said her election to council was a long-term dream of hers coming to fruition.

Ms Brumpton talked to the backlash she had received about her choice of part-time job, saying she had always been “ethical, honest, and acted with integrity”.

During the post-election meeting, there were a few important agenda items.

Back row (left to right): Amber Davis, Brendan Seawright, Meryl Brumpton, Joh Hancock, Peter Flynn, Jane Vincent. Front row (left to right): John Birkett, Wendy Taylor, Cameron O’Neil.

The first, the appointment of the deputy mayor.

Mrs Hancock put Mr O’Neil’s name forward to be nominated for the position.

“I believe the deputy mayor should go to the person who has the experience to support the mayor and advocate for our community,” Mrs Hancock said.

“My support goes to councillor Cameron O’Neil because he has been long serving councillor in our region.

“I think he has proven himself to the advocacy role of this council extremely well in previous terms.

“I think that he has everything that it will take to represent us well and to work alongside the mayor as her support person.”

Mrs Taylor said she also endorsed Mrs Hancock’s recommendation.

“I’m going to need all the help I can get, so I’m happy to have somebody who’s got the experience to be able to back me up,” Mrs Taylor said.

“The other thing is I will be counting all councillors to take this load – it won’t just be me going around, it’ll be all of us.”

The movement was unanimously supported by all councillors.

Mr O’Neil said he was truly honoured, and welcomed the challenge.

The second agenda item was the setting of meeting days and times.

The council unanimously agreed to hold the next ordinary meeting of council on April 10, 2024, and the ordinary meeting after that on April 24, to give council a chance to deliberate which date and time would be best for the remainder of the term.

Originally published as Cameron O’Neil appointed as deputy mayor of the Maranoa Regional Council