It wasn’t quite the pomp and ceremony of an American president’s inauguration, but last night’s Campbelltown Council installation of a new mayor and deputy nonetheless had some memorable flourishes.
Before Labor’s George Brticevic and Meg Oates could take their places as the town’s leaders for the next two years, a brilliant “welcome to country’’ ceremony set the scene for the changing of the political guard in Campbelltown.
Led by popular local elder Uncle Ivan, traditional Aboriginal dancers, both men and women, put on a great performance in front of a very big attendance of local residents in the civic hall.
Among them were Campbelltown Labor royalty such as State MPs Greg Warren and Anoulack Chanthivong, newly elected federal member for Macarthur, Dr Mike Freelander, former mayor Aaron Rule and many others.
The newly elected council formed a guard of honour for the Aboriginal dancers, who led the way inside the hall for an hour of captivating indigenous dancing and singing.
Then it was up to the third floor of the council administration building and where the general manager, Ms Lindy Deitz, sitting next to an empty mayoral chair, ran proceedings from then on.
Ms Deitz first called up each councillor, in alphabetical order, to take either the new oath of office or the affirmation as prescribed by the NSW Local Government Act.
Cr Fred Borg was called first, followed by the man who would soon be king, George Brticevic.
Bob Thompson, the veteran independent who was first elected 25 years ago in 1991, was the last one called up by Ms Deitz.
The general manager then announced that as George Brticevic was the only councillor nominated for the position of mayor he was elected unopposed.
Cr Brticevic walked up and sat down on the mayor’s chair next to Ms Deitz, who then repeated the process for the deputy mayor’s position, calling up Cr Meg Oates.
She was first elected in 1988 and during this term Cr Oates will set a new record as the all time longest serving councillor of Campbelltown Council.
Cr Brticevic said it was an honour and a privilege to serve as mayor of Campbelltown.
Promising to be inclusive with all councillors, Mayor Brticevic singled out the election of three Labor women.
“I am very proud about it; it is one of our proudest achievements,’’ he said.
A number of councillors also spoke and all offered their support to the new leadership on council.
“You will have my undivided support,’’ Cr Fred Borg said.
Cr Paul Lake echoed the sentiments, as did the young Greens councillor, Ben Moroney, who called for “justice for all’’.
The leader of the Liberal Party on council, Cr George Greiss, congratulated the new mayor, saying it was good to see such a massive attendance for the installation of a new mayor.
“These are very exciting times for Campbelltown, and on this side we have an optimistic outlook as we also offer to work with you for the good of the town,’’ Cr Greiss said.
Cr Thompson described the new mayor as “a man of character, who will do well for Campbelltown’’.
“You’ve got my support.’’
And with that, a new era was under way in Campbelltown.
