Councillors

The Wentworth Shire Council has nine elected councillors as its governing body. The Council is established in accordance with the Local Government Act 1993.

Council conducts MONTHLY meetings that are generally held on the third Wednesday of the month commencing at 5:00pm in the Council Chambers at Darling Street, Wentworth.

Council meetings are public meetings and members of the public are welcome to attend.

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST RETURNS

Councillors and designated persons must make and lodge with the general manager a return in the form set out in schedule 2 of the Code of Conduct for Local Councils in NSW, disclosing the councillor’s or designated person’s interests as specified in schedule 1 of the Code of Conduct.

Information contained in returns made and lodged is to be made publicly available in accordance with the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, the Government Information (Public Access) Regulation 2009 and any guidelines issued by the Information Commissioner. To this end, commencing from the period ending 30 June 2019, there is a requirement to display completed returns on the website.

Councillors returns, together with further information, can be found under the access to information section of this website.

Councillors as of 11 October 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting

Councillor Daniel Linklater - Mayor

Cr Daniel Linklater is a lifelong resident of our magnificent cross-border region having lived in Mildura and Gol Gol. He is a fourth-generation Mallee farmer and remains committed to sustainable and innovative agricultural practices. With strong family values, he is married with two young daughters and remains deeply connected to the local community.

After studying Commerce at university, Cr Linklater spent several years working in Adelaide and Melbourne before returning to his family’s farming operation in Gol Gol in 2008.

Currently serving his second term as a Councillor and first term as Mayor of Wentworth Shire Council, Cr Linklater was elected with 45 percent of the formal votes in the 2024 Council elections. He previously served as Deputy Mayor and is committed to advocating for all residents of the Shire across a broad range of issues.

Passionate about the Shire’s growth and development, Cr Linklater is a strong supporter of all local industries, including the visitor economy. He is dedicated to maximising economic benefits and employment opportunities to ensure a prosperous future for the region.

Councillor Peter Crisp - Deputy Mayor

Cr Peter Crisp has a long-standing commitment to the Wentworth Shire community. Born in Mildura, he has lived in the region for most of his life. He is married to Mary-Anne and is a proud father of three and grandfather of three.

Now serving his third term on Wentworth Shire Council, Cr Crisp currently holds the position of Deputy Mayor. He brings extensive leadership experience, with tertiary qualifications in Business Administration and Electrical & Electronic Engineering.

Cr Crisp has a strong background in regional development, having served on Regional Health Boards for 20 years and led the citrus industry for over two decades. He has also been a member of the executive of the Victorian Farmers Federation Horticultural Council. In addition, he served as the State Member for Mildura for 12 years, during which he held roles as Whip and Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Development.

Cr Crisp is passionate about serving the residents of Wentworth Shire and remains dedicated to supporting the region’s growth and prosperity.

Councillor Jon Armstrong

Councillor Tim Elstone

Councillor Greg Evans

Cr Greg Evans was born at Mildura Base Hospital and raised on his family farm on River Road, Buronga. He attended Buronga Public School, followed by Mildura Technical School and Irymple Technical School, where he pursued studies in agriculture.

Sport and music were key influences in his early life, with active involvement in rowing through the Mildura Rowing Club and performances in the Tech School Brass Band and Mildura District Brass Band. He later learned piano, following in the musical footsteps of his father, Geoff Evans. Music continues to be a significant part of Cr Evans’ life, particularly alongside his wife of 20 years, a professional singer with a long and successful career.

Cr Evans’ career has been notably diverse, including over four decades working in the riverboat industry along the Murray. In the early 1980s, he attained both master and engineering certificates, and today he continues to build, maintain and consult in the marine industry across the Murray-Darling Region.

First elected to Wentworth Shire Council in 2016 and re-elected for a second term in 2024, Cr Evans draws upon his wide-ranging life experiences in his role as Councillor. His passion for tourism stems from more than 40 years of hands-on involvement in the industry, and he is a strong advocate for the critical role Council plays in delivering services to the community.

Cr Evans is committed to listening to community concerns and working collaboratively to find practical, progressive solutions. With a married son and two granddaughters living in the region, Cr Evans is deeply connected to the area. Known for his approachable and friendly manner, he is also a considered and decisive representative for the community.

Councillor Susan Nichols

Cr Susan Nichols is a proud descendant of a Merbein pioneer family, with a strong commitment to family, she has four children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

A retired Justice of the Peace, Cr Nichols has served as both a marriage and funeral celebrant. Her professional experience spans roles as an area manager and retail business owner in Mildura, showcasing her leadership and business acumen.

Passionate about sport, Cr Nichols has actively participated in softball, hockey, football, basketball, and lawn bowls. She has played, umpired, coached, and held leadership roles, including club president, district president, and region president. She is a life member of the Wentworth Bowling Club in recognition of her contributions.

Her extensive community involvement includes membership on numerous committees such as LAJAC, CHALLIS, Legacy, Housing, Bushfire, Audit, the Murray Darling Association, and the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens.

Cr Nichols’ long history in local government began in 1992 when she was elected to Mildura Shire Council before its amalgamation with Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC). She served four terms as a Councillor, five years as Deputy Mayor, and multiple terms as Mayor. She later served with both MRCC and Wentworth Shire Council before Victorian legislation changes. Her tenure with Wentworth Shire Council has included terms as both Deputy Mayor and Mayor across several years.

With a deep passion for improving the lives of residents in Sunraysia, Cr Nichols values the opportunity to serve her community. She takes great pride in the achievements she and her colleagues have made over the years and remains dedicated to advocating for the ongoing progress of the region.

Councillor Jo Rodda

Cr Jo Rodda grew up near the Australian Inland Botanic Gardens in Buronga and has always maintained a strong connection to the local community. She operates a successful business delivering event coordination and event safety services throughout Sunraysia and beyond, alongside many years of dedicated volunteer work.

Elected to Wentworth Shire Council in the 2021 Local Government Election, Cr Rodda is passionate about the Shire’s vibrant calendar of events and festivals. Her professional expertise in event planning and safety, combined with her community spirit, enables her to bring both practical knowledge and energy to her role as Councillor.

Cr Rodda continues to advocate for an inclusive, well-supported community and aims to contribute to a thriving and connected region through her work on Council.

Councillor Jody Starick

Cr Jody Starick was born in Cairns and relocated to the region in early 2018 with her husband. With a strong background in finance, she holds a Bachelor of Business with majors in Accounting and Public Sector Finance and has been a member of CPA Australia for over 20 years.

Her professional career began in the transport industry, where she worked for three years before transitioning into the aged care sector, dedicating 19 years to financial management within the industry. For the past three years, Cr Starick has been working with an accounting firm based in Adelaide, specialising in providing experienced financial professionals to support Local Governments in rural and regional areas. Her expertise ensures a deep understanding of local government financial management and sustainability.

Elected to Wentworth Shire Council in 2024, Cr Starick is serving her first term as a Councillor. She is passionate about ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of local government, advocating for the delivery of essential services now and into the future in an affordable and responsible manner. She is dedicated to fostering a flourishing and desirable community, firmly believing that living regionally is not second best, but the best choice for a high-quality lifestyle and strong community connections.

Councillor Michael Weeding

Cr Michael Weeding was born in Wentworth and attended Wentworth Public School and Coomealla High School before moving to Sydney at the age of 16 to pursue work opportunities. A qualified boilermaker, he spent the next 30 years working in the crane industry, eventually becoming a trainer and an accredited Safe Work Assessor for High-Risk Work Licensing. He later established his own crane company before retiring in 2016 and returning to Wentworth.

Reflecting on his journey, Cr Weeding often says that while moving to Sydney was once the best decision he made, returning to Wentworth has now proven to be his greatest choice. Since his return, he has remained actively involved in the community, serving as a Director of the Coomealla Memorial Sporting Club, a board member of the Wentworth Military Museum, and Treasurer of Friends of the Ruby.

Elected to Wentworth Shire Council in 2024, Cr Weeding is passionate about increasing tourism and driving economic development in the Shire. Holding a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Diploma in Work Health and Safety, and a Certificate IV in Small Business Management, he brings extensive experience in business operations, workplace safety, and training. Cr Weeding is committed to supporting initiatives that enhance economic opportunities and promote Wentworth Shire as a thriving regional destination.

To contact Councillors, email: council@wentworth.nsw.gov.au

Councillors

DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST RETURNS

Councillors as of 11 October 2024 Ordinary Council Meeting

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