General News
21 March, 2024
McDonald romps it home
Oakey’s Douglas Doelle doubled his 2020 vote, but it wasn’t enough to stop incumbent Mayor Geoff McDonald from winning his first Toowoomba Regional Council Mayoral election four votes to one.
As of Thursday morning, Mr McDonald, who served as Deputy Mayor under Paul Antonio before being elected by the previous Council to succeed him, was leading with 82% of legitimate ballots to Mr Doelle’s 18%.
“Very happy with the endorsement of the community,” he said.
“All the sitting councillors were re-elected so we must be doing some things well, but there’s always more we can improve upon.
“Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge Douglas Doelle
for putting himself forward, and indeed all the candidates for putting themselves forward.
“All of them have a passion for the community.
“For now, Lisa and I express our gratitude to family, friends and supporters who have helped today and during pre-polling.”
The Mayor was relaxed enough about his chances and was able to attend the Oakey Show on Saturday.
“(It was) fantastic,” he said.
“I’m a strong advocate for agricultural shows.
“It brings communities together and showcases the best of a town and around the district.
“Hats off to Judy Byers and the Committee for a great show, and for all the volunteers who contributed.
“The Show Movement is the largest volunteer-led movement in Australia and plays a large educational role in the community.”
In the popular count to elect 10 councillors, incumbent Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff is leading the way ahead of the seven incumbent councillors running.
As the count stands, Kerry Shine, Bill Cahill, Carol Taylor, James O’Shea, Melissa Taylor, Edwina Farquhar, and Tim McMahon are all set to be re-elected.
FKG Chair Gary Gardner is the clear standout of the new candidates, running ahead of several incumbent councillors.
The tenth spot looks set to go to former Acland dairy farmer Trevor Manteufel the best of the rest, ahead of former Jondaryan Shire Councillor Ian Orford’s son Mark.
Meringandan-raised leathermaker Andrew Reeson’s strong grassroots campaign looks set to just fall short with 3.1% of the vote.
Greens candidate and Oakey resident Ellissa Parker looks set to miss out on a Council position, and was running in fifteenth position.
Former Goombungee district police officer Chris Brameld was running in eighteenth position.
It was a disappointing election for local real estate candidates the Westgarths with Angus and George running last and second-last respectively.
Leanne is running 23rd out of 27 candidates,
ahead of outsider Martin Hartwig, son of a Woolshed volunteer and Gavin Mingay.
TRC Election Count (as of Tuesday)
Mayoral Candidates: (%)
1. Geoff McDonald: 82.6
2. Douglas Doelle: 17.4
Council Candidates: (%) Only 46 per cent counted
1. Rebecca Vonhoff: 8.0
2. Melissa Taylor: 6.3
3. James O’Shea: 6.3
4. Gary Gardner: 6.1
5. Kerry Shine: 6.1
6. Tim McMahon: 5.8
7. Carol Taylor: 5.5
8. Bill Cahill: 5.2
9. Edwina Farquhar: 4.9
10. Trevor Manteufel: 4.2
11. Mark Orford: 3.4
12. Andrew Reeson: 3.1
13. Paul Wilson: 3
14. Nathan Essex: 2.9
15. Eakraj Adhikari: 2.9
16. Scot McPhie: 2.8
17. Ellisa Parker: 2.8
18. Chris Brameld: 2.6
19. Robert Relvas: 2.5
20. Chelle McIntyre: 2.4
21. Adam Carney: 2.4
22. David King: 2.3
23. Leanne Westgarth: 1.9
24. Martin Hartwig: 1.9
25. Gavin Mingay: 1.9
26. George Westgarth: 1.5
27. Angus Westgarth: 1.2
