MACEDON Ranges Shire Council has ushered in new leadership, with West Ward Councillor Kate Kendall elected Mayor and East Ward Councillor Cassy Borthwick appointed Deputy Mayor during a scheduled meeting in Gisborne on Tuesday, November 25.
Both roles will be held for a one-year term, marking the second mayoral and deputy mayoral appointments within the current four-year Council term.
Cr Kendall, who served as Deputy Mayor over the past year, said she was honoured to take on the top role and committed to strengthening engagement and trust across the community.
“Following a year of listening and action in my role as a Councillor and as Deputy Mayor, I’m really pleased to be given the opportunity to lead as Mayor for the coming year,” she said.
“I aim to build trust, transparency and tangible progress on priorities for the benefit of all ratepayers and residents of our amazing shire.”
With a professional background spanning journalism, digital leadership, business advisory and community building, Cr Kendall brings extensive experience to the mayoralty. She has founded three companies and established Atto, a start-up accelerator supporting women founders and backed by the Victorian Government. Holding degrees from the University of Melbourne and RMIT, she also serves as President of Business Kyneton.
Her stated priorities continue to centre on getting the basics right including roads and core services, while improving community consultation, communication, organisational efficiency and performance in Council’s annual satisfaction surveys.
Newly appointed Deputy Mayor Cassy Borthwick said she was grateful for the confidence shown in her by fellow Councillors.
“In my first year as a Councillor, I’ve eagerly learnt the ins and outs of the role, listened intently to residents, and stood for what I believed in,” Cr Borthwick said.
“As Deputy Mayor, I’ll continue to build on these initial stepping stones and advocate strongly on behalf of my community to action meaningful change.”
Cr Borthwick’s professional background is anchored in tourism, hospitality and community leadership. She established and operated a local café for several years, steering the business through the challenges of the pandemic and the 2021 storms before selling it. She later undertook the LEAD Loddon Murray Community Leadership program and is now studying mental health while working in addiction recovery.
Her focus as a Councillor includes amplifying local voices, strengthening community participation and fostering a more inclusive, connected and resilient Macedon Ranges.
The new leadership team will guide Council through the coming year as it works to deliver key services, advance strategic priorities and deepen engagement with residents across the shire.
