By Peter Douglas
Cr Noel Cliff is only too content to hand over the mayoral robes next month, satisfied he’s ticked off all his ambitions during his inaugural 12-month term.
As Yarra Ranges Council prepares to vote on a new mayor on Tuesday 14 November, Cr Cliff said he had thoroughly enjoyed his first stint as mayor after more than 15 years on council.
Chief among his goals included “bringing council back to the community”, which he said was achieved through taking council on the road and via the Mayor’s Big Day Out event.
Both exceeded his own expectations, with the travelling council initiative stopping by at Healesville, Warburton, Montrose and Upwey.
The Mayor’s Big Day Out was enormously successful, attracting hundreds of guests.
Speaking after his final meeting as mayor – at Burrinja Cultural Centre on Tuesday 24 October – Cr Cliff said he wanted to show a different side to council.
“When I got this role, the only thing I wanted to do was bring council back to the community,” Cr Cliff said.
“I felt there was a void. I wanted to make the community and staff know that councillors can be warm and welcome. I’m no robot and definitely not about toeing the mayoral line.”
Cr Cliff said he wouldn’t have been able to achieve so much without the support of his fellow councillors and Yarra Ranges Council staff.
He said the behind-the-scenes work to ensure both initiatives ran smoothly was first-class.
“What a ripper the Mayor’s Day Out was. That exceeded my wildest dreams. To have so many musicians and people turn out for the day. It was just fantastic to see,” Cr Cliff said.
Cr Cliff also acknowledged the support of his close friend and deputy mayor, Len Cox.
Interestingly, Cr Cliff felt a 12-month mayoral term ideal, despite the Victorian Government pushing for a mandatory two years.
He said many councillors deserved the experience and it added leadership to council.
At the Burrinja meeting, Cr Tony Stevenson was among the most vocal when expressing his congratulations to Cr Cliff.
“Your initiative to take council on the road … has been well received by each of the townships,” Cr Stevenson said.
“People may feel that council is quite insular, removed from the public, even though that’s clearly not our aim. I feel what you’ve done will help break down those barriers.”
Cr Stevenson said he had not heard a negative word about the initiatives.
