New mayor and deputy mayor elected in Mitchell Shire

Having served 33 years in the Australian Army, he retired from active duty with a record of operational deployments and leadership roles.

His background includes degrees in economics and management, along with extensive experience in finance, planning, and risk management.

Cr Dougall’s commitment to his community extends to his involvement as a committee member for the Kilmore Pony Club, where he has been active for more than a decade.

Driven by a continued desire to serve, Cr Dougall said he hopes to use his skills and position as mayor to improve community satisfaction.

“It’s a great honour and privilege to be elected as mayor, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to do my part in helping the council perform at a high standard,” he said.

“Having spent a long time in the army, service is at the heart of what I do. It’s important to me that I continue to serve the community in this new role.”

Cr Dougall said there are significant challenges ahead for the shire, and everyone has a role to play in addressing the issues to best serve the needs of Mitchell Shire.

"Population growth, at the scale we are expected to face, is at the heart of these challenges,“ he said.

“If we don’t get that right, the consequences will impact our ability to maintain high standards for the community.

“We need to understand what the community values — through engagement, consultation, and feedback — and work together to find solutions that we can be confident in.

“We must also balance our obligation to future generations with the needs of the present.

“It’s not always an easy trade-off, and we must be careful not to fall into the trap of prioritising short-term needs, which can overshadow more important, long-term decisions.

“Local governance can often be a balancing act, and I look forward to working with my fellow councillors to get that balance right and work towards what is best for our community.”

Cr Cornish has been a resident of Wallan for more than 45 years, where he lives with his wife and their children.

With extensive experience in local government, this will be his fourth term as a Mitchell Shire councillor.

Cr Cornish said he was proud to be elected deputy mayor and looked forward to supporting the Mayor and his fellow councillors to achieve positive results for the community.

“I know that the steps we take now will have an impact, and it’s crucial that we add value to the community with the work we're doing,” he said.

“This group of councillors have different backgrounds and experiences, which will be vital in helping to create solutions for both the present and future of our community.

“The population is growing rapidly, and we need to ensure that we address this effectively. We must observe each challenge, listen to the community, and stay focused on preparing for the future.

“Time is critical, and we need to act with purpose to shape the future our community wants and deserves.”