“I think we can do great things”: Tiemens re-elected as mayor

New Narrabri Shire councillors were sworn in at an extraordinary meeting of council held on Wednesday, with Darrell Tiemens re-elected mayor and Brett Dickinson deputy mayor.

There was a small group of community members in the public gallery, who joined in a round of applause following formalities.

The councillors, elected at the September local government elections, include Darrell Tiemens, Brett Nolan, Ethan Towns, Jocellin Jansson, Joshua Roberts-Garnsey, Amanda Brown, Greg Lamont, Brett Dickinson and Navin Erathnage.

Crs Dickinson, Tiemens and Lamont were re-elected, having also served in the previous term of council, when Cr Tiemens was also mayor and Cr Dickinson deputy.

Interim general manager Eloise Chaplain congratulated and welcomed the new representatives.

“Being a councillor is an important role, you’re the voice of the community,” said Mrs Chaplain.

Cr Tiemens said it was “an enormous honour” to represent “this council and great part of this wonderful state”.

“I really look forward to working with each and every one of you,” he said.

Cr Tiemens said the new council had the opportunity to set a strong agenda and represent “our diverse communities”.

“I think we can do great things,” he said.

“We can really advocate, very strongly, on behalf of our community.

“Heading into some interesting economic times we need to work together.”

Cr Tiemens will serve in the position of mayor for the next two years and Cr Dickinson as deputy mayor for a year.

Both were the only councillors nominated for their respective positions of mayor and deputy, with the recommendations passed unanimously.

Crs Brown and Jansson nominated Cr Tiemens for the position of mayor.

Crs Brown and Tiemens nominated Cr Dickinson for the position of deputy mayor.