Walgett has announced a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor in Councillors Jasen Ramien and Colin Hundy, respectively, following an extraordinary meeting held yesterday, 14 September.  

Councillors met to elect a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor following a two year period since the previous election.  

During the meeting, Cr Ramien was elected Mayor and Cr Hundy his Deputy, both running unopposed.  The outgoing Mayor Jane Keir and Deputy Mayor Greg Rummery had no intention of standing of the roles.

"I was approached a few weeks ago…I thought…why not give it a go? I’ll do the twelve months and see how things pan out,” new mayor Jasen Ramien said.

The election of outgoing mayor Jane Keir in 2021 marked the first female mayor in Walgett’s history, however the incoming councillors believe that this election marks another important first, with neither Mayor or Deputy Mayor being from the two major towns in the shire, Walgett and Lightning Ridge.  

“I just want to see the whole of the Shire get their fair share, with all of the little communities included as much as the bigger communities,” Cr Ramien said.  

Jasen Ramien has been announced as the new mayor. (Walgett Shire Council)

“Shire wants the shire to evolve wholly not one or two towns….for everyone to get their piece and quality of living."

Cr Ramien is a Collarenebri local, while Cr Hundy is local to the opal fields near Lightning Ridge.  

Deputy Mayor Colin Hundy said that the new leadership team is promising for the community.   

“It’s better for the towns that have been neglected for a long time,” Cr Hundy said.  

He identified Collarenebri, where Cr Ramien hails from, as a community that has so far missed out on its full potential.   

 Deputy Mayor Colin Hundy (Walgett Shire Council)

Hope for a strong council 

  Cr Hundy said that despite challenges that the council has faced this year, he believes a once oppositional council has grown closer and stronger together.  

“(In the former council), there was a sense of despair and people were untrustworthy of the council.”  

“When we were elected there were no buddies alongside each other…we’ve come together as one very strong group,” Cr Hundy said.  

In their leadership roles, capitalising on the new Australian Opal Centre in Lightning Ridge has emerged as a clear goal for the shire.  

“We’ve got to work out how you’re gonna snare the dollars. Because if we don’t get (the tourists), they’re off to Queensland and that’s where they’re spending the money,” Cr Hundy said.  

The election comes six months after the dismissal of former General Manager Michael Urquhart, which was supported by both Cr Ramien and Cr Hundy. 

The newly appointed leadership team and Walgett Council extended their gratitude to outgoing Mayor Jane Keir and Deputy Mayor Greg Rummery for their dedicated service and leadership over the past two years.  

Outgoing Mayor Jane Keir spent her last week in the role in Sydney campaigning for funding for the Walgett pool to be repaired in time for summer.

The new Mayoral term will expire on 14 September 2024, where another election will be held by Councillors.