Harvey Shire president Paul Gillett retains top job, while Michelle Campbell voted in as deputy

Harvey Shire president Paul Gillett has once again secured his top spot after two years at the helm, with re-elected councillor Michelle Campbell voted in as deputy president. Last night’s special council meeting, which saw Harvey’s six successfull election candidates sworn in to their roles, saw Cr Gillett keep his president position unopposed. Cr Gillett said it was nice to have the confidence of council and to come back in for at least another two years. “It’s been very rewarding we’ve had some great projects on the go and good strategies coming out, and collectively as a group I think we all get on really well,” he said. “We’re probably one of the richest and diverse shires going for farm land and some of the main export opportunities out of here and tourism is untapped.” Cr Campbell was voted in as deputy president by her fellow members, defeating current deputy Francis Burgoyne and councillor Paul Beech in the anonymous ballot. She said the shot at deputy president was an opportunity to step up and support Cr Gillett. “It’s a bit of a stepping stone for me and I’m very humbled that the other councillors voted for me, it shows they trust you to be in a position to help the Shire president and lead the council,” she said. “There’s a lot of growth opportunities in our shire and we (the shire president and deputy president) just have to get behind it and get on with the job.” More on local government elections: New faces join Shire of Harvey team Election results from across the South West Cr Gillett said the shire has come a long way in the last couple of years and is probably one of the ‘richest and diverse’ shires going, for farm land and some of the main export opportunities. “I’d also like to acknowledge Francis for his last two years as deputy and also make mention of Bill Adams and Derek Simpson for their time they spent on council,” he said.