Cr Verlin was presented with her award at a Municipal Association of Victoria ceremony in Melbourne last Thursday.

The mayor emeritus award is given to councillors who have served three or more full mayoral terms.

Cr Verlin was Ballarat’s mayor for two consecutive one-year terms in 1998 and 1999 after first being elected in 1996. 

After stepping down as a councillor in 2002, she was re-elected in 2008 and served another two consecutive mayoral terms in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Cr Verlin said she was honoured to receive the award.

“It has been my great privilege to serve and work with Ballarat residents as both a councillor and mayor over many years,” Cr Verlin said.

“Going into public office is not about awards but serving the community. Nevertheless, this award is both a surprise and an honour, and reflective of the hard work of council as a whole.” 

Ballarat mayor Mark Harris said the award was due recognition for Cr Verlin’s years of service.

“Cr Verlin has served the people of Ballarat with great dignity and passion,” Cr Harris said. “Her integrity is unquestionable and her grace under pressure - a necessary and much sought-after attribute in local government - is admirable.