Council
28 September, 2024
Computer draw puts names in the frames
A computerised program has decided the order in which names will appear on Horsham Rural City Council's ballot papers in five of the municipality's seven wards.
Two wards, Kalimna and Wyn Wyn wards, do not require elections.
The sole nominee for each - Rebecca Sluggett and Brian Klowss - will be declared on November 15 for these seats.
Only two sitting councillors - Claudia Haenel and David Bowe - and two prospective councillors - Angela Munn and Tony Haynes - attended the ballot draw, held in a temporary election office set up in a former kindergarten in Roberts Avenue opposite Horsham Police Station.
There are 15 HRCC nominations in total.
The Victorian Electoral Commission has used the computerised system since 2008 in local government elections and since 1999 in state elections.
Names were placed into the ballot in the order in which they were received by the VEC.
A back-up system with wooden balls and a wire ball was in place in case the computer failed.
Three wards - Pine Lake, Oatlands and Horsham North - have three candidates each while Green Park and May Park have two.
Names as listed in order on the ballot form for each ward are:
Green Park: Brian Basham, Dean O'Loughin
Horsham North: Todd Wilson, Claudia Haenel, Kathy Ross
May Park: Les Power, Cam McDonald
Oatlands: Angela Munn, Dylan Hesselberg, David Bowe
Pine Lake: Michael Bond, Ian Ross, Toby Haynes
Election manager Anthony Sbizzirri and assistant Artur Hajda, both of Melbourne, set up office in Horsham in mid September and will remain until the end of October.
Kay Eyles of Horsham is office assistant, with other people to be employed for counting as required.
Horsham Rural City municipality has 15,753 eligible voters, with between 2081 and 2443 in each of the seven new wards, created after boundary reviews conducted earlier this year by the Victorian Electoral Commission.
Voting will be by post, and only for candidates in the ward in which people are registered to vote.
Candidates may nominate for any ward in their municipality.
Ballot packs will be mailed to all enrolled voters from Monday October 7.
Votes must be posted by 6pm on Friday October 25.
All postal votes must be received by noon on Friday November 1.
If you’re going to be away between Monday October 7 and Friday October 25, you may still be able to vote.
Details: www.vec.vic.gov.au/voting/2024-local-council-elections/away-during-the-election
* All but one Victorian council will be elected next month. Moira Shire Council was dismissed by an Act of Parliament last year and will have its next election to decide councillors in October 2028.