Departing mayor Libro Mustica, who has held the top job for the last five years, decided not to seek re-election for the highest position and resigned from council due to family and health issues.
Two nominations were received for the top job at last Wednesday’s mayoral election with Cr Lawless edging out Cr Peter Mansfield five votes to two.
Cr Lawless has been in local government for six years and has a great knowledge of the area, having lived in the shire for most of his life before raising his children locally with wife Carol.
“I have lived my whole life in the area apart from five years away at boarding school in Kilmore,” Cr Lawless said.
“Carol and I have four children, all with professional careers. Our eldest daughter Meagan still lives with us and is supported through the NDIS.
“We have seven grandchildren (at this stage).”
Outside of council Mr Lawless is well known as a community man in Burramine, Tungamah and Yarrawonga, especially in the rural sectors, after being involved with a long list of community groups.
“It’s great being a member of a rural community and representing them locally,” Cr Lawless said.
“I’ve been president of the VFF then as state vice president of the Victorian Grains Group with leadership roles with the CFA as captain for over 25 years, recreation reserve secretary at Tungamah Football Netball Club for nine years and president for four.
“I’ve had involvement with the tennis club, hall committee and local saleyards committee as they are all interests of mine.
“I have also been president of the Burramine Gift Committee although Frances Connell did most of the work.
“In terms of playing sport I played football for Tungamah for many years, also coached lower grades, was runner for the seniors for around 10 years, Yarrawonga Footballers and Tungamah Cricket Clubs and tennis at Burramine.
“I’m not sure I was much good at any sport but it was great being involved with young people for so long.”
On becoming mayor, Cr Lawless thanked his fellow councillors for their confidence in him and said he was proud to represent the whole shire.
“It is a huge honour to be asked and elected by the other councillors to lead council and represent our community stretching from Barmah through to Bundalong,” Cr Lawless said.
“I thank the councillors for their vote of support in me and I hope I can serve not only them and council but the community over the next 12 months.
“It is only proper that we should acknowledge Libro Mustica and the effort that he put in over six years on council with five as mayor. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution that John Beitzel made to council over two stints on council and wish them the best into the future.
“I first became deputy mayor in 2018-19 then held terms for 2019-20 and 2021-22, the three terms, but I am probably the first mayor for quite some time that hasn’t come out of one of the major towns.
“Living halfway between Yarrawonga and Cobram, Carol and I have great connections through the communities, through each town... so I would like to engage the community more.”
Cr Lawless said among the commitments of himself and council over the next 12 months, with many projects that need to be addressed, the council would work hard to produce fairly.
“One of the greatest challenges we have that not many rural shires have is four major towns, Yarrawonga, Cobram, Nathalia and Numurkah, as well as many small communities all with different expectations and major infrastructure that needs to be addressed, and delivering that fairly is a challenge as we can’t do it all at once,” Cr Lawless said.
“So if we can do this with community support and understanding it will be a major achievement of Moira.
“We have some terrific skills around the table and looking at the prospective candidates that might still come into council, nearly all of those have vast experience to different degrees in certain areas so I am sure they will contribute to council when they come on.
“We would like to deliver on our community plan but these aren’t just words, we have to act on these things and I think those pillars strengthen the actions we may do.
“Above all I endeavour to work with all councillors to get the best results for our community and draw on my experiences at leadership in numerous organisations but I am going to need the support of councillors and pulling into line when I need pulling into line from all of you so I hope that we choose some good paths over the next 12 months.”
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