Spinks elected new deputy mayor

By Murray Silby

Dec 20, 2023

**New deputy:** City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali congratulates Sam Spinks on her new role.

Greater Shepparton City Council has a new deputy mayor.

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Cr Sam Spinks, elected to council in 2020, was voted into the deputy’s position during an additional council meeting on Tuesday, December 19.

It’s her first time in the position, which she won by defeating incumbent Cr Anthony Brophy in the vote.

Council elects a deputy mayor each year, whereas the mayoral role is for two years, meaning Cr Spinks and Mayor Shane Sali will hold their positions through to the next local government elections in October 2024.

“I am ready, willing and committed to undertaking the roles and responsibilities of the deputy mayor role to its full extent,” she said.

Cr Spinks said she was looking forward to working with her fellow councillors, and in particular Cr Sali, for the remainder of the council term.

“I will provide a strong balance of leadership as we both provide very different perspectives, lived experiences and priorities on behalf of our community,” she said.

“I would argue that we are currently strongly presented from a business and economic perspective but I would be able to bring the public health, community and environmental representation that is required to form a better reaching and representing senior leadership team.

“Together, we could provide a more well-rounded and diverse representation of senior leadership for our community.”

Cr Spinks said she expected the experience gained from the position would help her serve the community even more effectively.

“The role of deputy mayor will also be an incredible experience for my own personal development as a leader and community member,” she said.

“It will allow me to better support and understand the role of mayor, to widen my connections and networks, and build on skills and experiences that will all continue to benefit our community,” Cr Spinks said.

Cr Sali said he was looking forward to working with Cr Spinks.

“It’s exciting for her, a new face in that role, and I’m sure she’ll bring a lot of energy to it,” he said.

“She’s really excited and we obviously head into the Christmas-new year break, and then I’m sure she’ll be back in the new year with plenty of energy, and I look forward to working with her.”