Opinion & Perspectives
15 November, 2026
Opinion - Cr Rebecca Wardlaw, Mayor of the Pyrenees Shire
What an absolute honour it is to serve the Pyrenees Shire Community for the next 12 months as mayor. It is humbling and slightly daunting, but my work ethic holds me in good stead as I tackle every day with a positive mindset and a can-do attitude.
I sincerely thank the outgoing mayor Cr Damian Ferrari for his support during my term as deputy mayor. All his advice and encouragement over the year has been well heeded and everything he helped with has been most appreciated.
Moving forward into these 12 months, the first thing on everybody’s mind is the State election and what it means for our shire, what benefits might we obtain and who do we need to speak to. Of huge importance is the task of making sure our shire is noticed and respected. We can’t afford to let our identity and needs slip off the map, our issues are just as important as the bigger shires, and we deserve an equal share of the pie.
Locally we have started the process of appointing our new permanent CEO. This is a very important task for us that we, as a Council, take very seriously. At present we have opened for Expressions of Interest and over the next couple of weeks, when applications close, we will start the process of narrowing down the pool of applications to a manageable amount before interviewing the few that we feel fit the role the best.
Another hot topic is, of course, the future of our swimming pools. Beaufort is getting an upgrade which we hope will keep the pool safe and usable for another 10 years. Avoca and Landsborough have had adequate works completed to get them through at least this season, but rest assured we are actively searching for funding to sort them all out for the long term.
As most would know I am passionate about the removal of the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF). Taxing the very people that fight the fires is wrong on so many levels. Without the farming men and women that support the CFA with their time and expertise fires like the one at Streatham would have destroyed much more than it unfortunately did earlier this year.
I’d also like to talk about the insurance on DEECA (Victorian Government) assets. I have not found a solution to this problem, but I acknowledge the effect of both not insuring and forcing those costs onto user groups. Currently the shire is actively working with the groups affected and I will be sure to follow the progress and keep the needs of the community in the forefront of the conversation.
We all know how much sporting clubs offer through volunteer time and commitment. Without these groups the community spirit is diminished. The benefits on physical and mental health that comes forth from sport and recreation is by far one of the most important aspects of rural community life and, in later years, the craft groups, men’s sheds and other gatherings can certainly provide purpose in life.
On that note I know there are many other topics that could be mentioned and I assure you that they have not been forgotten and will continue to be worked through daily.
I’d like to thank everyone for their support, and I look forward to working as your mayor for the next 12 months.