MOUNT Gambier City Council formally farewelled outgoing elected members Penny Richardson, Des Mutton and Mark Lovett at their final monthly meeting on Tuesday night.
Both Cr Richardson and Cr Mutton served on council for 12 years, while Cr Lovett was the first Boandik Aboriginal man elected to represent the community in the council’s history.
Cr Richardson paid homage to staff at council’s works depot, the Carinya Gardens Cemetery and Caroline Landfill, people she described as “the backbone” of council’s operational services.
“They carry out their work with the utmost respect to community members and with professionalism – they are great ambassadors for our council,” she said.
She said she believed the current group of elected members was the “most representative” of the community the council had ever had.
“Over the past 12 years I have observed the growth of our city in terms of economic, social, cultural and environmental awareness,” she said.
“We have started on a journey with our nation’s first people, we have an environmental platform that should be the envy of every council in the region and we continue to lead sustainability practices internally and in community spaces.”
“We are looking with more wisdom, structure and enthusiasm at our region’s heritage and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this process.”
Cr Richardson wished incumbent councillors and Mayor Andrew Lee “every success” in the forthcoming election.
“I thank the community of Mount Gambier for giving me the privilege of serving them as an elected member over this period,” she said.
“I have been fortunate to meet many wonderful people, see the service that a huge number of residents provide for the community, mostly in quiet, unassuming ways and find out so much more about the area in which I live.”
Cr Mutton echoed similar sentiments.
“It has truly been an honour to serve the people of Mount Gambier and represent them,” he said.
“The three councils I have served on have all been interesting and this council has been the most cohesive of the three.
“Admittedly this term we have not faced as many contentious issues and there have been less capital works completed.
“The proposed sports and recreation centre could well be the biggest project we have ever done and I wish the future council all the best for what will be a momentous task that will ultimately bring great value to the community.”
Cr Mutton said highlights during his three terms on council included the development of the library, Main Corner complex, railway lands precinct and community dog park.
“Knocking down the old hospital was a major project I was quite involved with,” he said.
“It was something the community was demanding and we spent about $5m to buy the building just to demolish it and reclaim that space.
“I have been a member of our sustainability committee since its inception and council has improved its footprint very significantly in that time – we have been very responsible.
“Overall it has been exciting, interesting, challenging and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.”
Cr Lovett thanked his fellow councillors for an “amazing experience”.
“The Torres Strait and Aboriginal flags were put up in the chamber before my sitting and I was lucky enough to become the first Aboriginal and Boandik councillor,” he said.
“I am also the only one in South Australia so there is a lot of responsibility.
“To see the cogs working and the hours and hours of sacrifice from council staff and administration is beyond commendable – I take my hat off to the staff.
“It has been a great experience – I will miss it, but I also will not.
“It takes up a lot of time and I would like to thank my family for allowing me to do what I do.”
