Jerry Clune sworn in as mayor of Greater Geraldton alongside Natasha Colliver as new deputy

Jerry Clune was officially sworn in as the City’s 42nd mayor on Tuesday, with Natasha Colliver voted in as deputy mayor. Two newcomers in Jenna Denton and Aaron Horsman, two existing councillors in Simon Keemink and Butch Parker and previous councillor Peter Fiorenza were all sworn in as councillors after victory in the weekend’s council elections. Cr Colliver was elected as deputy mayor after being nominated unopposed by Cr Jennifer Critch. The swearing-in ceremony at council chambers saw City of Greater Geraldton CEO Ross McKim welcome Mr Clune to the lectern to say his oath and receive his civic regalia. Mr Clune spent 10 years as a councillor for the City, before serving as deputy under Shane Van Styn for two years, nominating for the top job in September. Mr Clune was elected mayor by less than 300 votes, edging out Mr Van Styn after final preferences were distributed. Cr Denton, Cr Fiorenza, Cr Keemink and Cr Parker were all elected to four-year terms, while Cr Horsman —winning a council spot after a fifth seat opened up after Cr Clune’s promotion — was elected to a two-year term. Justice of the Peace Murray Fraser was present for the official ceremony, helping wipe the deputy prefix from Mr Clune’s official title. The ceremony made honourable mentions to members of the council who had not been re-elected, including former mayor Shane Van Styn, and former councillors Bob Hall and Michael Reymond. Mr Hall was elected to council in 2001 and served for 22 years, falling nine votes short from securing his sixth term. Mr Reymond has years of local government experience, after being elected to council in 2015, and re-elected in 2019. Mr Van Styn was first elected to council in 2011 before being voted in as mayor in 2015 and again in 2019. Votes began being counted on Saturday evening at 6pm, but Mr Clune’s victory was not announced until Monday morning. The new optional preferential voting system swayed the outcome, putting Mr Clune 285 votes ahead of Mr Van Styn at the final count. After all new members were sworn in, the new-look council conducted its first meeting, holding its monthly agenda forum.