Three incumbent councillors and fresh face to council after more than half of Wickepin electors cast vote

The Shire of Wickepin re-elected three councillors and voted in one new member in the recent local government election, with five residents nominating for four open seats.

Darryl Gaull, the only fresh face among the five candidates, was elected first with 88 first preference votes.

Incumbent councillor Lindsay Corke was elected second, receiving 72 first preference votes.

Wes Astbury and fellow incumbent Tyron Miller came in third and fourth with 61 and 43 first-preference votes, respectively.

Incumbent councillor Peter Thompson came in fifth, losing his seat to the new Cr Gaull.

In a statement on its website, the shire thanked Cr Thompson for his time and service on the council, writing that his “dedication to the Shire of Wickepin does not go unnoticed”.

Of its 513 eligible voters, 275 submitted a ballot paper, representing 53.6 per cent of the shire’s electors heading to the polls.

The new councillors were sworn in at the council’s October 20 meeting, and will serve alongside councillors Julie Russell, John Mearns, and Fran Allan.

Cr Russell was also re-elected without opposition as shire president after Cr Astbury declined a nomination for the job by Cr Gaull.

Cr Allan nominated Cr Miller as deputy president, who was sworn in.

All four councillors will serve until October 20, 2029.