New Leeton Mayor George Weston (centre, in grey suit) alongside his deputy Michael Kidd and councillors (from left) Sandra Nardi, Boston Edwards, Nicholas Wright, Stephen Tynan, Tracey Morris, Sarah Tiffen and Krystal Maytom. Photo: Supplied.
Business owner George Weston was elected Mayor of Leeton Shire Council at a special meeting on Tuesday (8 October).
The 72-year-old, who has served on the local council since 1995, was in no doubt about his top priority, vowing to continue his council’s campaign against plans to buy back water from irrigators.
“We have to look after the water in our irrigated shire,” he said. ”If you haven’t got the water, you lose the irrigators and all the value-added industries … this town would be totally different without water. You pass through gold towns where resources have come to an end, it transforms the town. People don’t realise that.
“Our plan is to make sure the town is sustainable and then grows. We need to balance our limited finances with the needs of our community, working out what we can and can’t deliver.”
Cr Weston emigrated to Sydney from Dorset in England in 1967 with his family when he was 15 years old.
He joined his brother Lionel and their wives in moving to Leeton in 1978 to start their business, Weston and Weston Refrigeration and Air Conditioning – which has since expanded to Wagga.
“I think my family got a good return on their money for being 10-pound Poms [postwar British migrants who moved to Australia after paying a ten-pound processing fee],” he said.
“I’ve only been back to England twice, this is home now. I’ve got two children and six grandchildren.”
The Mayor has no regrets about leaving the big smoke to settle in Leeton.
“In Sydney, you get up in the dark, go home in the dark, on the weekend you cut the grass and then go back to work,” he said.
“But here, you go up to town to get a newspaper and you’re gone for three hours because you talk to everyone … the fabric of community is fabulous here.”
About 600 people protested against water buybacks in Leeton late last year. Photo: Leeton Shire Council.
The business owner is an active member of several community groups, including Friends of Luro (Timor-Leste), Light Up Leeton, the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary.
“I live by the adage once said by a president [American John F Kennedy]. Our version of it is, ‘Think not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community’.”
In Leeton, the mayor is chosen by other councillors, as is the case in Wagga. This contrasts with Griffith, where the mayor was directly elected by residents at the statewide local government elections in September.
Cr Weston was elected as Mayor to serve a two-year term alongside radiologist Michael Kidd, who was selected as his deputy – a role he also fulfilled in the last term of the council.
They will be joined by re-elected councillors Sandra Nardi, Krystal Maytom and Tracey Morris, as well as newcomers Stephen Tynan, Boston Edwards, Nicholas Wright and Sarah Tiffen – all of whom will serve a four-year term on the nine-member council.
“We are entering an exciting term for Leeton Shire Council with the Roxy nearing completion, the redeveloped Chelmsford Town Square open to the public and Vance Estate progressing steadily,” Cr Weston said.
“This is our opportunity to work together for a brighter future for our residents and a sustainable future for the council.”
The council’s general manager, Jackie Kruger, congratulated the new and returning councillors on their appointment.
“It’s great to have some new faces around the council table. There are busy times ahead and fresh ideas and perspectives will go a long way in ensuring the continued success of the council,” she said.
Former police chief inspector Tony Reneker, who was mayor of Leeton during the last term of local government, stepped down this year and did not contest the council election.
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