A week is a long time in politics, the old saying goes. So it has proved on a local level in Ballarat over the past few days.
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Last Friday morning, Daniel Moloney's future on council hung in the balance. His 12 per cent share of the first preference vote in the North Ward was only enough to put him in fourth place after the initial count for the local government elections. That was more than 400 votes behind Ellen Burns, the first-time Greens candidate.
I am just incredibly honoured - and just stoked - to be elected to the role of mayor
- Cr Daniel Moloney
Fast forward five days and Cr Moloney is now wearing the mayoral robe and chains for the first time.
Having overtaken Ms Burns when preferences were transferred Cr Moloney was returned to council - and then confirmed he would be standing for mayor this week.
On Wednesday night, he was voted by his fellow councillors to be the main spokesperson for council over the next 12 months.
It happened as each councillor was sworn in, taking an oath and signing documents to confirm their election in last month's local government ballot.
Councillors also unanimously agreed to keep the mayoral role for one year rather than two.
His fellow North Ward councillor Amy Johnson was installed as deputy mayor.
Central Ward's Mark Harris and South Ward's Ben Taylor - the mayor for the previous 12 months - had also both said they would nominate for the mayoral role.
However Cr Taylor withdrew his nomination before the meeting.
Cr Harris also withdrew his nomination on the night. He said he recognised that he was likely to receive a similar level of support to previous years.
"I guess I probably perceive the amount of support I would receive would be... precisely one vote. That being such as it is, I do withdraw my nomination," he said.
It is a remarkable turnaround in Cr Moloney's situation in a short time - and a successful start to his second term on Ballarat council. He had stood for election, unsuccessfully, in 2012, then was elected in 2016. While gaining a greater share of the first preference vote in 2020 than previously, it was still not enough to ensure his automatic re-election.
IN OTHER NEWS
In his first speech as mayor, he thanked outgoing mayor Ben Taylor for being "the voice of the community in a very trying year."
"I am really grateful for your dedication and leadership," he said. "It was tough year to be mayor."
Cr Moloney continued: "I am just incredibly honoured - and just stoked - to be elected to the role of mayor."
Cr Johnson, who gained the most votes of any candidate in the recent election, was chosen for the deputy mayor role, the first time she has held that position.
Cr Belinda Coates had also put herself forward but withdrew her nomination, leaving Cr Amy Johnson to be elected unanimously.
Cr Johnson said it was an "absolute privilege and honour and I am very grateful".
She also paid tribute to the outgoing mayor Ben Taylor.
Cr Moloney clearly succeeded in presenting the most convincing case to councillors, as the city faces its most challenging economic circumstances in many years.
He acknowledged the difficulties presented by the pandemic, saying:
"I want to be clear that our councillor group is united in helping you get back on your feet."
He also made a call for locals to support the city's businesses as far as possible.
"We need Ballarat people promoting Ballarat."
"With the passion we all hold for our city, we can get our city back on track."
"This is really Ballarat's moment to shine."
The outgoing mayor Cr Taylor said: "When I stood in this room a year ago as the newly appointed mayor, my thoughts, plans and ambitions for this city bore very little similarity to what the year actually bought. 2020 has bought more challenges and surprises than I thought possible."
He also paid tribute to Cr Belinda Coates's "support and friendship" over the past year in her role as deputy mayor. "It has been great to serve alongside you," he said.
The new mayor, deputy mayor and council will be working with an entirely new executive team, which has started work at the council within the past few months - the upshot of a critical Ombudsman's report released in May.
Shortly, councillors will begin the task of selecting a new permanent chief executive to replace interim CEO Janet Dore.
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