Ten out of 10 for council stalwarts

By Jim Mynard
RIVER Gum Ward’s Wayne Smith and Edrington’s Mick Morland have celebrated their 10th anniversary as Casey councillors.
They are the only two inaugural councillors and both are former mayors.
Casey mayor Colin Butler presented them with plaques on Tuesday, 20 March to mark the milestone.
They were elected to the first Casey council on 15 March, 1997 following council amalgamations in 1994 and a period of commissioner administration.
Cr Morland served as a councillor on the former City of Berwick and Cr Smith on the former City of Cranbourne.
Cr Butler said they had served the Casey community with outstanding dedication for more than a decade and made an enormous contribution to improving life for Casey residents.
Cr Morland said it was a great honour to represent the people of Casey for 10 years and to work with many wonderful volunteers who dedicate themselves to making this one of Australia’s better places to live.
“Casey has grown to be the biggest city in Victoria with many great achievements, one being winning the most innovative city award for all councils within Australia in 2001,” he said.
“It has been a pleasure for me to work with many dedicated staff, none more so than Casey chief executive Mike Tyler.
“The council has responded to the needs of our ratepayers through building significant assets such as Casey ARC, Hampton Park Library, Casey Fields, and the proposed Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre.
“I look forward to working with our community as Casey becomes bigger and stronger”.
Cr Smith said it was an honour and privilege to have been elected Casey’s first mayor 10 years ago.
“I continue my role as River Gum Ward councillor with the same interest, drive and enthusiasm today,” he said.
“If I get run over by that ‘proverbial’ bus tomorrow, I’ll be very pleased to have left the legacy of my many ‘pet’ major projects, including the Hampton Park Library, Cranbourne Community Theatre and ‘The Factory’ — Rehearsal Centre for the Arts.
“It has also been great to have worked with Cr Mick Morland from the beginning.
“Despite our differing political views, we have always shared a common vision for Casey, ensuring responsible financial management along with the provision of the services and infrastructure required by a city experiencing tremendous growth.”