Accessible HTML format. Statements are also available in PDF format with candidate photos and web links.
Voting is now compulsory
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022
Don’t delay – late votes won’t be counted!
There are 2 elections being held for Central Highlands Council:
As well as this booklet, your postal ballot pack contains:
The ballot paper envelope has been specially designed to ensure the secrecy of your vote.
All returned envelopes are kept unopened under tight security until they are checked for validity.
After a sealed envelope has been verified, the flap showing the elector’s personal details and signature is removed under instruction of the returning officer, in the presence of witnesses, and securely stored until the close of the poll.
After the close of the poll and in the presence of witnesses, the now anonymous envelopes are opened in large random batches before the unidentified ballots are removed for examination and counting.
Successful candidates for Mayor and Deputy Mayor must also be elected as councillors to be able to accept these offices.
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors you elect will serve until October 2026.
Questions? Call 1800 801 701
Postal services take a number of days, so it is important to complete and return your vote now.
Your vote must be received by 2pm on Tuesday 25 October 2022
Follow these five easy steps:
Candidates were invited to provide a statement and photo for your consideration*.
Statements appear in alphabetical order but the names on the ballot papers are rotated.
The online version of this booklet contains web links where provided by candidates.
Number the boxes on each ballot paper from 1 onwards in the order of your choice.
For the election of 9 councillors, number the boxes from 1 to 11 in order of your choice, Number at least 5 boxes to make your vote count.
For the election of Deputy Mayor, number the boxes from 1 to 2 in the order of your choice. Number at least one box to make your vote count.
Put your completed ballot papers in the ballot paper envelope, which is the smaller envelope with the wider flap, and seal it securely.
Sign your ballot paper envelope in the box on the flap to declare that you are the voter named on this envelope and you have voted on the ballot papers in this envelope. You must sign the envelope and leave the flap attached — or your vote won’t be counted. The returning officer will remove the flap with your details on it before opening the envelope.
Then put your ballot paper envelope in the reply-paid envelope — the larger envelope — and seal it.
Sign your ballot paper envelope — your vote won’t be counted if you don’t sign.
Then put your ballot paper envelope in the reply paid envelope and seal it.
Post your reply paid envelope straight away (no stamp needed), or take your vote to the Central Highlands Council office.
*Statements are reproduced substantially as supplied by candidates.
I have lived & worked my whole life in the Central Highlands & have been representing the community for the last 12 yrs, including the last 4 as deputy mayor. I have a passion for the sustainable economic development of our municipality that will lead to more employment and a population that will further empower the increasing viability of our communities.
We have to continually improve our services to meet ongoing demand. I will continue to work hard to maintain our health, police & education services in the Central Highlands.
Candidate statement not supplied
Hi, I'm Tony.
I have lived and worked all my life in the Central Highlands. I have served on the Hamilton and Central Highlands councils for 36 years as a plant operator, grader driver etc. The last 5 years as an overseer. For the last 15 years I have been a councillor on the Central Highlands Council. My goal is to listen to the rate payers and act for them to the best of my ability as I have done for the previous years in service.
Candidate statement not supplied
Vote #1 for Robert Cassidy as councillor and deputy mayor. He has been serving as councillor for 8 years and remains committed to improving the municipality, with focus areas such as: road safety, eliminating telecommunications black spots, flood mitigation, accessible GP services in the municipality, education and protecting Lake Malbena. Robert voted against Council rate increase. Voting #1 for Robert Cassidy is a vote for integrity, accountability, transparent and stable local government. It is a vote for leadership, fair and impartial representation, the Central Highlands and you!
I have lived and worked all my life in the Central Highlands (Bothwell), with long experience in agriculture as well as an owner/operator of a small business.
If elected as councillor I would like to use my life skills and give back that experience to the Central Highlands community. I believe that the obligations of a councillor are to be approachable, raise both new ideas and concerns as well to be a voice for the people of the municipality. My focus is better health services, communication - both NBN and mobile, infrastructure, projects and other services that will benefit the Central Highlands.
Candidate statement not supplied
I have a passion for boosting health services, community & infrastructure development & climate change preparedness within the Central Highlands. The 2019 fire emergency here showed how urgent it is for us to be better prepared in all these aspects. Thanks to a good education I've had a productive and diverse career, including work in local government, community development consultancy, disability service support, public health & university teaching, research & administration. I am now happily retired; this gives me plenty of time to work on your behalf as an effective councillor.
I moved to the Central Highlands 5 yrs ago. Being retired, I involved myself in the community by volunteering as a transport driver for the CHCHC; Ash Cottage; Hamilton Heritage Centre; starting a Girl's Shed and organizing the Hall of Industry in 2022 & 2023.
I now wish to run for Council, to help the Central Highlands flourish and entice people to come and enjoy what we have on our doorstep. I can only do this with your help. As they say: new people, new ideas. I look forward to meeting you in the coming months.
Born & raised in our Central Highlands, I'm aware of our region's benefits & issues. As your mayor I stay committed, driven & excited to continue developing our area, supporting locals & business, welcoming new residents & working toward employment opportunities. Transparency of councillor behaviour & actions & opportunity for others, Council involvement remains key. I've raised my 2 daughters here & now enjoy sharing our region with my grandchildren. I need your #1 vote as councillor & mayor to continue my work; I remain honest & committed to steering Council in a positive direction for us all.
A full-time resident at Great Lake for the past 5 years, I have lived off-grid since 2003. I am not anti-development but do not agree with unnecessary (or unwanted) developments that will negatively impact residents or the environment. Tourism is important but so is fresh air, peace & quiet and a clean, unpolluted environment.
I am not spending $1000s on my self-promotion, so you won't see flashy signs like of my smiling face everywhere, but if you like what I stand for, put a sign at your gate & tell everyone "I'm voting for Rob Wilkinson".