Candidates confirmed – now the race for mayor

By Robert Muir

Oct 2, 2024

Pictured are the confirmed elected candidates for Federation Council. But who will be mayor? Potential candidates, in alphabetical order on the top line, will be Rowena Black, Pat Bourke, Derek Schoen.

It appears to be a two or three-way race as to who will be mayor of Federation Council for the next 24 months in a new look council comprising six new councillors.

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Mayor for the whole time, the last seven years of Federation Council, Pat Bourke, won’t rule out standing for mayor.

“If I get the support I’d definitely consider it as there is some unfinished business,” he told The Free Press.

“I’ve made tough decisions – with the backing of councillors. All councillors (from the last council) agreed with the SRVs (Special Rate Variations) to achieve our future plans.”

Since the votes came in, Mr Bourke has communicated with many country mayors who have lost their positions.

“In a joint phone call with two country mayors we believed we copped the drop-in voter support because of the SRVs,” he said.

High-polling candidate Derek Schoen will be putting his hand up for the mayor’s position. “I believe the election results have shown a clear mandate for change within the Federation council leadership,” he said.

“The task of getting Federation Council back on track will take strong leadership, there will have to be some difficult and important decisions made and handled tactfully to ensure staff and the community embrace change and reap the benefits of a council that is open for business, attractive for investment and resourced to deliver the services and infrastructure required for a vibrant region from the Murray and north to almost the Murrumbidgee.

“To argue we need more of the same would be an insult to the democratic process.”

Mr Schoen said Federation Council is so accessible via the Newell and Riverina highways and Federation Way with friendly welcoming towns and many unique natural attractions.

As a new councillor David Bott thinks it’s “a bit presumptuous” of him to be considered for mayor at this stage.

“You’ve got to have all the skills. I do believe it should be a new mayor – the community has voted for change,” he said.

“To be fair to Pat I think eight years is enough to be mayor. I’d be very supportive of Derek Schoen, someone with strong leadership to be mayor.

“Derek’s involvement with Beyond Blue as a director, a past president of NSW Farmers Federation and a director with NSW Rural Assistance Authority - which all prove he has empathy with people – are examples of his leadership.

“You really need someone with tough leadership and experience – Derek’s got that. He was a deputy mayor with Corowa Shire Council.”

Mr Bott said he would also be very supportive of Rowena Black as deputy mayor “who has put her hand up twice before as deputy mayor”.

“They would both make excellent leaders,” he said.

In being re-elected, the also high-polling candidate Rowena Black will not rule out a tilt at a leadership position.

If elected, she would become the first female mayor in Federation Council. There was never a female shire president or mayor in the former Corowa Shire Council and there was just one female mayor, Marg Buntin, in the Urana Shire.

In keeping with tradition, voting for mayor is expected to be by secret ballot at the 9.30am extraordinary meeting of Federation Council on Tuesday, October 15 following the swearing in of councillors by council’s General Manager Adrian Butler and advice or nominations for the positions.