Council & Business
21 November, 2025
Ben Green shire’s new mayor
In a vote that came down to the wire, councillors Ben Green and Anna De Villiers are the Central Goldfields Shire's new mayor and deputy mayor respectively.
Central Goldfields Shire Council has elected Ben Green as mayor and Anna De Villiers as deputy mayor, but the vote wasn’t without its controversy.
At a council meeting on Wednesday, councillors voted on the new top jobs among the councillors for the next 12 months.
While Cr De Villiers and Geoff Bartlett were nominated for mayor, both declined, while Liesbeth Long was nominated and lost in the vote to Cr Green.
The shire’s new mayor is a first time councillor and former deputy mayor to councillor Grace La Vella, who previously held the top position.
Cr Green thanked those in his ward, the Paddy’s Ranges, and his fellow councillors.
“I’d just like to say it’s very heartening for me, and the people who voted for me, to have a bit of Talbot as mayor,” he said.
Cr Green said before joining council he thought they should focus on roads, rates, and rubbish — which he still agrees with — but now understands there’s much more to do.
“Whilst that makes good common sense, the reality is these days the council does so much more,” he said.
Among those responsibilities is steering the ship during a time of “cost shifting” and financial pressure.
“Because we’re doing more with less we cannot, unfortunately, satisfy everyone’s desires. That doesn’t mean those desires or wishes are not important,” Cr Green said.
“So for those people here who are advocating for the community please keep doing it and please keep doing a very good job.”
However, according to the Ararat Advocate, the shire’s new mayor may have a future as a Liberal party candidate in next year’s state election.
While he wouldn’t confirm or deny this to the Maryborough District Advertiser he said he’d keep state politics out of his local politics.
“At no stage will I compromise the voters and the people who live and work in this shire,” he said.
“I’m not going to be political at all.”
While the position of mayor was a sure thing the role of deputy mayor, which was introduced for the first time locally last year, was contested.
Councillor Gerard Murphy said the role could be fulfilled by councillors in their own wards, saving the shire money.
“I can not remember a time before last year we ever, ever, ever had a deputy mayor. It doesn’t make sense. We can all do that job,” he said.
Councillor Jake Meyer echoed Cr Murphy’s opposition and said the money could go elsewhere.
“We’ve got a lot of things that we need to spend money elsewhere on,” he said.
“I highly praise Mr Murphy for standing up against the deputy mayor.”
According to the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal a deputy mayor receives a $44,661 allowance. That’s a $16,551 increase on a councillors allowance.
Cr Murphy said to Cr De Villiers that, for example, the money could go to something else like a “railway station lease”.
While unclear, this is likely referring to the Carisbrook Railway Station and plans to use it as a community hub.
The Maryborough District Advertiser understands council officers will recommend the project shouldn’t go ahead, in part due to cost, at a future council meeting.
Cr La Vella, however, supported the position and said having a deputy mayor was an opportunity for the shire.
“I think councillors you should consider this because what happened in the past has gone, that era has gone, but now we’re into a new era,” she said.
“I believe having a deputy mayor not only gives status to the whole council but it is a shared position, a great succession opportunity, for anyone that is unsure about whether they can or can’t ever put their hand up for mayor.”
That played out during the council meeting when Cr De Villiers, who declined the nomination for mayor, accepted the nomination for the deputy position.
Cr Bartlett and Cr Murphy were also nominated and declined, while Cr Long accepted.
The vote for deputy mayor ended in an “effective deadlock” between Cr De Villiers and Cr Long which left Cr Bartlett as the deciding vote.
It may have been a dynamic the councillors recognised with Cr La Vella saying “come on Geoff” as she voted for Cr De Villiers.
However, Cr Bartlett did not clearly vote for either before asking for a recess.
During that recess Cr Meyer, who voted for Cr Long, can be partially overheard calling the vote a “s**t show”.
“They can’t keep forcing him. It’s completely bullying,” he said.
When the vote returned Cr Bartlett voted for Cr De Villiers giving her the win. He later said he disagreed with Cr Meyers comments in the recess.
“I’m honoured to be elected as deputy mayor and would like to thank my fellow councillors for their trust and support,” Cr De Villiers said.
“It’s a privilege to work alongside with you all sharing the same commitment, passion, and care for this beautiful shire we call home.”
While this is Cr De Villiers second term it’s her first time as a deputy mayor.
“Being a councillor can be challenging at times and we rely on the support of our family and friends,” she said.
Cr De Villiers said she’ll continue working on key issues including getting the shire’s finances “back on track” and maintaining the areas heritage character.
“I’m also committed to seeking transport solutions for our community. Every small township in the shire has got a certain segment of the population struggling with transport ... to shop and visit hospitals and doctors [in Maryborough],” she said.
“I will continue to support community and groups in the shire as I have done the last five years. I believe every voice is important and should be heard.”