Here I am - courtesy of a photo from http://www.cairnsblog.net/ - after being sworn in on Thursday 3rd April. The mayoral chains against the red suit make me look a bit like a Christmas tree, but hey, it's a change from over a 100 years of blokes in grey suits.
It was a wonderful day. Around 200 people attended at the Council chambers - more than had ever attended a swearing in previously - and there was a real sense of excitement and hope amongst those who attended.
It was great that former mayors, Tom Pyne and Ron Davis, were able to attend and I apologised for former Douglas Shire Council Mayor Mike Berwick who served his council well in 17 years as mayor and was in Canberra meeting with Peter Garret.
Seith Fourmile started off the ceremony with a welcome to country which struck just the right note. The Minister for Local Government, Warren Pitt spoke of the Queensland government's priorities for local government. Then each councillor was sworn in by CEO, Noel Briggs (a bit like a marriage ceremony with the signature and all!) and took their seats before the first meeting. I had not expected the standing ovation; a wonderful finale to 5 years of hard work campaigning to be mayor.
Cr Margaret Cochrane was elected deputy mayor and we resolved which councillors would serve on a myriad of committees both internal and external. I was particularly pleased to be able to put my hand up to be on the boards of Advance Cairns and the Cairns Regional Gallery.
We all shared morning tea and took time to talk with all the people who care about local government, who supported the election of the various councillors and who were pleased to hear that we plan to govern for all.
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