SHANE Bourke has won a rare second successive term as Wyndham mayor.
This will be the fourth time the 2005 Citizen of the Year has been elected to sit at the head of council chambers.
The Chaffey Ward councillor was given a second consecutive shot at the role last Wednesday, narrowly defeating Truganina Ward Cr Bob Fairclough.
Before his election to council and his immediate elevation to mayor last November, Cr Bourke served as the first mayor of the City of Wyndham in 1997-98, and as the last mayor of the City of Werribee in 1994.
He was a City of Werribee councillor from 1988 to 1994.
“This has been an incredible year,” he said.
“I said to my wife back in 1988 that I’d just run for council – then it snowballed.”
Cr Bourke, who is well known for his community engagement, made a point of visiting every kindergarten, school, community centre and nursing home in the city during his recently completed term as mayor.
“Meeting thousands of people has been the job of my life.”
He also initiated neighbourhood meetings between residents and council and brought together former citizens of the year.
Wyndham CEO Ian Robins said Cr Bourke’s level of community visits was possibly a Guiness Book record.
Cr Bourke said he would continue the regular community contact in his new term, in addition to his roles in strategic planning and advocacy for the area.
“There are always new people to meet, new facilities, new issues,” he said.
Cr Bourke’s term as mayor was marked by several controversial events, including the removal of cypress trees on the Princes Freeway, and the expansion of the Civic Centre.
The other eight members of council spoke glowingly about Cr Bourke’s term as mayor.
“We made a decision to bring the council back to the community, and you certainly did that,” Truganina Ward Cr Kim McAliney said.
Iramoo Ward Cr Cynthia Manson said Cr Bourke provided unity, strength and direction.
“The memory of what you’ve done during your term will live long,” she said.
Events organiser and council newcomer Heather Marcus was elected deputy mayor.
“I didn’t expect this – it was really the last thing on my mind,” she said.
