2.15pm
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
FORMER mayor Margaret O'Rourke has ruled out a return bid for her council's highest office, saying other commitments would make it too difficult to do the job this time around.
Cr O'Rourke also has no plan to run for the City of Greater Bendigo's deputy mayor position.
"If you are going to do those roles well, you need to put that time in," she said.
"These last 20-odd months have been a bit different in that COVID-19 has ruled out a lot of events and in person appearances, but there is still an enormous amount of work that is put into both of those roles."
Earlier
COUNCILLOR Matthew Evans will vie to become Greater Bendigo's new deputy mayor as the field of potential candidates solidifies.
Current mayor and deputy Jen Alden and Andrea Metcalf have both confirmed that they are seeking council's top job for 2022.
Cr Metcalf confirmed on Tuesday that she would not seek to be deputy again in 2022, saying she wanted to leave the door open to others to experience the role.
Mayors and their deputies are selected by fellow councillors and serve for one year at a time in Bendigo.
Cr Evans was elected by the public to represent the Eppalock Ward in 2020 and said part of his interest in the deputy mayor position was to learn more about the council, the city and its leadership roles.
"It also allows for my work commitments," he said.
"That's a lesser thing but is still a factor in my thinking."
Cr Evans works in the education system.
He said he would be ready to work with any of the councillors who have so far publicly confirmed they wanted to be mayor.
Cr Evans saw the deputy role as one of both a supporting role and an opportunity to articulate messages of the council and community in different settings.
Two councillors are yet to confirm whether they will seek senior leadership roles on Greater Bendigo's council for the coming year.
They are first term councillor Julie Sloan and four-time mayor Margaret O'Rourke.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content:
- Bookmark bendigoadvertiser.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter @BgoAddy
- Follow us on Instagram @bendigoadvertiser
- Join us on Facebook
- Follow us on Google News