General News
27 August, 2024
Second youngest mayor vows to give ratepayers a say | Our History
50 years ago, the then-second youngest mayor of Horsham
Horsham
Fifty years ago, Horsham was swept up in McGrath mania as the 37-year-old councillor donned the City of Horsham mayoral robes.
Cr Brian McGrath promised to give ratepayers a say in running the city and was installed as mayor at the annual statutory meeting on Friday, August 30, 1974.
He was voted in unanimously.
At his mayoral reception, Cr McGrath said: "I ask ratepayers to discharge their responsibility by bringing to council's attention what should be done".
"Too often ratepayers complain that council is not doing its job when it is, in fact, ratepayers themselves who are not bringing to council's mind what should be done.
"I ask for their criticism; I ask, also, that it is constructive."
He became the second youngest mayor in Horsham's history; businessman Cr Ron Shepherd, 24, was elected mayor in 1958.
Cr McGrath moved to Horsham with his family in 1967; two years later, he found himself on the council after filling the vacancy left by Cr Ern Gerlach.
The mayor would receive a $3000 allowance, the equivalent of about $29,200 in 2024.
Cr McGrath praised the former councillors for leaving a $90,000 ($876,000 in 2024) savings for the incoming group to use.
"It's a start, something the last council worked for, and for which it should receive credit," he said, in 1974.
"I hope we are willing to adapt to changes and take advantage of these changing circumstances."
The mayor vowed to develop closer ties between neighbouring Wimmera and Arapiles shires and work with the Federal and State governments.
A devastating flood immediately tested Cr McGrath's leadership in September 1974.
January 20, 1995, the City of Horsham was abolished, and parts of the Shires of Arapiles, Kowree and Wimmera were merged into the Rural City of Horsham.