General News
1 November, 2024
Provisional votes for HRCC: O'Loughlin is in, some still too close to call
Swing against candidates hoping for another four-year term
Campaigning is over; votes are in and as results trickle down from the counters under the watchful eyes of scrutineers, Victorian communities are learning who will be their elected councillors for the next four years.
Horsham's Dean O'Loughlin will join uncontested candidates Rebecca Sluggett and Brian Klowss on council but the remaining four places are still up for grabs.
Candidates Ian Ross and Cam McDonald appear to have it won, but on Tuesday's numbers it was too close to call in Oatlands and Horsham North Wards.
Green Park Ward
Primary votes for Green Park Ward candidate Dean O'Loughlin on Tuesday October 29 showed he was the first of the contested candidates to be assured a seat on HRCC, with a 1126 majority and 67.71 percent of the votes.
"The support I have received from members of the local community has been truly overwhelming," said Mr O'Loughlin.
"Thank you to the community members who have trusted me with their vote.
"The campaign process has been an absolute pleasure and I hope this continues into the future as a councillor," he said.
Mr O'Loughlin's opponent, Brian Bashan, received 537 votes and conceded defeat on Tuesday afternoon. It was Basham's second run for council.
May Park Ward
May Park Ward showed a lead for candidate Cam McDonald with 1038 votes to former councillor Les Power's 379. Power was seeking his third term on HRCC.
"I am happy, relieved, and apprehensive at the same time," Mr McDonald said.
"It's good to see the adults are back in the room!
"With those who appear will be successful, keeping in mind these are provisional votes, we have a great team and will be good for the community.
"With the ideas we have, the community will be pleasantly surprised.
"It's sad that the Wimmera people had to hit rock bottom before they did something about it, but they have, and we will hit the ground running," he said.
"Mayor,? Well, the natural choice is Ross, but if he decided against it, I'd have to consider my position," he said.
Horsham North Ward
Horsham North Ward preliminary results were closer than Green and May Park with Todd Wilson on 611.
His nearest opponent was Kathy Ross with 467, followed by former councillor Claudia Haenel with 437 votes. Haenel had served one term.
Pine Lake
Pine Lake Ward candidate Ian Ross led with 991 votes, followed by Toby Haynes with 306 and Michael Bond with 250.
"I am pleased. We have a good team to work with going forward, " Mr Ross said.
"The community has spoken. It was hard being the only councillor to speak up over some of the issues during the last term.
"Several people have encouraged me to nominate for mayor, and as the only successful incumbent, it is probably my responsibility to do so, but it will be up to the new council."
Oatlands Ward
Oatlands Ward showed Angela Munn with a slight lead of 696 over Dylan Hesselberg on 524.
Former councillor David Bowe recorded 218.
Swing against candidates hoping for another four-year term.
If the primary vote count of Horsham Rural City Council for the 2024 council election is anything to go by, there was a swing against the incumbent councillors hoping for another term.
Ian Ross is the only one of the four former councillors, including Power, Haenel, and Bowe, who appears to have succeeded in their bid to return for another four years.
The official count by the VEC will be made in mid-November.
The elected council will vote in a new mayor from the successful candidates.