Longerenong farmer and teacher Robyn Gulline is Horsham’s new mayor.

A new-look Horsham Rural City Council at its statutory meeting tonight elected Cr Gulline to the community leadership position

Cr Gulline, a mother-of-three with qualifications including a Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education, Diploma of Accounting, Diploma of Teaching – Primary-Preschool, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and Governance of Registered Organisations, will draw on her wealth of experience to lead the council for a one-year term.

The seven-person Horsham council includes six representatives entering their first term as community local government representatives.

Police officer Cr Les Power is the only representative from the previous council.

Other councillors are Penny Flynn, Di Bell,  Ian Ross Claudia Haenel and David Bowe.

Cr Gulline said taking on the role of mayor was ‘an honour and a privilege’ and looked forward to the council taking a ‘considered analysis and respect-based approach’ to governance.

“Horsham Rural City is a wonderful place to live, work, play, visit and invest. We are a community with diverse interests and needs that must be considered in our decision-making deliberations,” she said.

“While our economic base is strongly focused on agriculture, social services and tourism also make important contributions to job creation and our prosperity.

“The council is committed to continuing the COVID-19 response and developing and implementing programs that support the community through the long recovery process.

“Horsham Rural City Council is a regional leader. As mayor, I commit to enriching the partnerships with our neighbouring councils, Wimmera Southern Mallee Regional Partnership, Regional Development Australia Grampians, Grampians Tourism, Wimmera Development Association, GNet and others, for the benefit of our regional population.

“As a new council, we commit to working with the community to develop our shared future vision and strategy.