‘New’ candidates polling higher

By Zoe McMaugh

Sep 17, 2024

Kylie Berryman is polling highest in the Greater Murray ward. Photo by Aidan Briggs

Murray River residents have sent a clear message of the need for change by the way they have voted in the local government elections.

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Very few of the sitting councillors are expected to be re-elected in the Greater Murray and Moama wards.

In Greater Murray, which incorporates Mathoura, long-time councillors Tom Weyrich and Kron Nicholas are at the bottom of the vote tally so far.

Mr Weyrich had polled 236 votes at the time of going to print on Tuesday, with counting continuing, to be fifth of six candidates.

Mr Nicholas was behind him with 100.

Geoff Wise looks set to secure his seat, however, polling the second highest with 504.

Leading the votes in Greater Murray is Kylie Berryman, with 590.

She and Mr Wise have already polled higher than the progressive quota of 497.

Another newcomer in Norman Berger has 278 votes to be in third place, but his election will be dependent on the support for fellow newcomer Joy Allan.

Mrs Allan was just one vote behind Mr Berger on Tuesday, with 277.

Three candidates are to be elected to represent the ward.

At the time of going to print on Tuesday, 2089 of a possible 3134 votes had been counted.

Gen Campbell looks set to make her return to Murray River Council, as the highest polling candidate in the Moama ward. Photo by Aidan Briggs

In the Moama ward, current mayor Frank Crawley and his predecessor Chris Bilkey were both sitting outside the top three.

Mr Crawley had just 132 votes as of Tuesday, making him equal last with Michael Ludeman.

Mr Bilkey has polled slightly higher with 282, to sit at number four and 50 votes clear of Graeme Blow.

But Mr Bilkey will have to gain a large portion of the remaining votes to secure a return to council, with newcomer Bianca Hearn in third with 406 votes to date.

Above her is former Murray River Council employee John Harvie with 421.

Leading the vote count for the Moama ward is Gen Campbell, who was on Murray River Council previous to this term.

At the time of going to print, she had 438 votes after 2165 of a possible 3129 votes were counted.

There was no election in the Wakool ward this year, which only just received the minimum number of candidates to fill the three seats.

As a result, current deputy mayor Neil Gorey of Barham and Dennis Gleeson of Calimo will be re-elected to council uncontested.

With Ann Crow choosing not to renominate, her seat has been given to the only other candidate from the ward — Gary Pappin of Mellool.