Council
13 November, 2024
Jo secures the Tandarook vote
COBDEN’S Jo Beard has been re-elected to Corangamite Shire Council for the fourth time.
After heading to the polls for the first time against South Purrumbete’s Cath Jenkins, Cr Beard received more than 68 per cent of the votes.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) vote tally had Cr Beard receiving 986 of the first preference votes compared to the 449 votes Mrs Jenkins received.
Of the 1805 residents enrolled to vote in the Tandarook Ward election, just 82.05 per cent voted.
The Tandarook Ward was the only ward in the Corangamite Shire local government area to head to the polls, with all previous councillors returning unopposed.
Cr Beard thanked the community for its support.
She said having the support of community members and their “thoughtful words of encouragement meant more than most would know”.
“I am beyond grateful, I am humbled, and I am very proud to be re-elected to represent the amazing Tandarook community,” Cr Beard said.
“To campaign was a new space for me, however I do believe strongly in the democratic process we are fortunate enough to have here in Australia, and I’m glad that local voters had a choice.
“Safe to say I was somewhat out of my comfort zone, as I’m not one to promote what I have done, or I intend to do, I normally just do it.
“However, having to campaign in the manner I did, enabled me to reflect on what I can achieve and how much passion I still have for Local Government.”
She commended Mrs Jenkins on the way she ran her campaign.
“Cath and I know each other well, and I congratulate her for putting her hand up, along with the way she held herself and the respect she gave the election process,” Cr Beard said.
“We have both committed to each other to continue to work together as we have done in the past for the betterment of our community and region.”
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