Orange’s first Indigenous council member has been elected deputy mayor.
This week’s council meeting, the first since the December local government election, saw Cr Gerald Power elected by the council to serve as deputy mayor from a field of four other candidates.
Cr Power, who will serve as deputy mayor until September next year, said he was surprised that he stayed in the race as the series of four ballots unfolded.
DEPUTY MAYOR: Orange City Councillor and deputy mayor Gerald Power, pictured with Cr Jack Evans at Australia Day celebrations recently.
“I was shocked as the votes kept happening and I didn’t get knocked out,” the Deputy Mayor said.
“Last December, after 18 years of trying to get onto council I finally got the votes that I needed to go to that next level. That was exciting.”
“I’ve told the mayor I’m there to support him one hundred and ten per cent and to be a sounding board when he needs it for the betterment of Orange.”
Cr Power said he is looking forward to being available to stand in for the Mayor to assist with duties such as representing the Council at community events or meetings with government leaders.
