Councillor Alexandria Carruthers to serve as Dungog Shire’s Deputy Mayor Dungog Shire by News Of The Area - Modern Media - October 23, 2024 C Ward councillor and Deputy Mayor Alexandria Carruthers. COUNCILLOR Alexandria Carruthers was elected as the Deputy Mayor of Dungog Shire at the new council’s first meeting on Wednesday, 16 October. Council conducted the election by a show of hands, with councillor Fred Paton receiving two votes and councillor Carruthers receiving five votes. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au Carruthers, who grew up near East Gresford, will now serve as Deputy Mayor for a period of twelve months. “I am delighted to share that I was successfully elected to the position of Deputy Mayor,” Cr Carruthers later said on social media. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with all elected Council representatives and the Dungog Shire Council team to ensure fit for purpose services are delivered and the needs of the Dungog Shire are met. “Thank you Councillors and Mayor Rayward for entrusting me into this role. “I’m excited to be working alongside you all to address current and future issues and ensure we are in the best possible position to take up opportunities that will benefit the Shire.” Councillors also voted on what to do in the case of a casual vacancy on council, meaning a vacancy occurs before a term of office expires. If a councillor leaves the role prior to the end of the four year term, the position will be filled via a countback of votes cast at the September 14 election. Council has also hinted at changes to the way it communicates with residents. In a regular video message posted to the Dungog Shire Council Facebook page, new Mayor Digby Rayward said locals will “see some media changes”. “You certainly won’t be seeing my big dial every week,” he said of the weekly video message. “I’ll be encouraging other Councillors to step up to the plate and share in presenting the Council’s weekly message because we all own it. “The same will happen on Friday with the Dungog radio slot. “I would certainly welcome feedback on whether we should continue with the video message or just have a document for you to read. “If you’re sick and tired of having a face talk at you and just prefer to read it, well, that’s what we’ll do.”
