South West shires welcome four new councillors in extraordinary election shake up

Four new South West councillors have been elected after extraordinary elections in the shires of Boyup Brook and Donnybrook-Balingup.

Former Donnybrook-Balingup shire president Leanne Wringe will return to the council after her sensational resignation in 2022 which saw four councillors walk out due to bullying behaviour from residents towards elected members.

Pauric (Reggie) Keown will join her as the second elected member to fill the seats of former councillors Alexis Davy and Lisa Glover.

Ms Wringe and Mr Keown won strongly, with both candidates polling more than 640 first preference votes which saw 31.36 per cent of electors submit a vote, 145 short of October’s total.

Ms Wringe said she was excited to get back into the swing of local government.

“I’m ready to get into it and go. I’ve got a lot to offer to the community and have been involved in council for some time,” she said.

“I want to empower community groups who have found it tough over the last few years, so helping bring volunteering back is something that I want to do.”

She said she was not concerned about issues that led to her departure as shire president.

“The dynamics have changed a lot, so I am not worried about that at all. I’m just excited to more forward.”

Mr Keown said it was an honour to take the position after falling short in the October election.

“Its been a bit of a whirlwind, running in October and being unsuccessful, but I am appreciative of all the people in the community who elected me,” he said.

“I want to keep my ears open to the community and learn as fast as I can and listen to what the community want and see where I can help. I am one councillor of many but I want to bring balance and rational thought to the processes in front of me.

“I can promise I will give it my all, and hopefully I can represent the shire as best as possible.”

Ms Wringe and Mr Keown have now replaced Ms Davy and Ms Glover, who were elected in 2023, meaning they will only serve until October 2027, unless re-elected, and will be sworn in on Wednesday, April 1.

The Shire of Boyup Brook has Helen Hack and John Matthews prepared to join the council after only two candidates were elected unopposed in the October election, triggering the make-up vote on Saturday.

Ms Hack dominated the election with 413 first-preference votes and campaigned on the basis of a more gender-diverse council.

Mr Matthews put in a late push to secure office, with second-preference votes pulling him across the line.

While Alan Lamb polled 64 first-preference votes, beating Mr Matthews by just four, he fell short by 16 at the last count after Eric Muncey and Johan Brits were eliminated from contention.

Mr Matthews said he was ready to rise to the challenge of elected office.

“When I realised there wasn’t enough councillors moving forward, I though, ‘I can do that’,” he said.

“I have done a lot of volunteer work with music teaching and in mental health, so this is an extension of how I can be of value to the community.

“We are a town which has lost a lot of its major industries, so keeping the population high enough to keep the medical service and schools running is important,” he said.

Ms Hack and Mr Matthews will be sworn in within the week, according to Mr Matthews.