Cr Kate Lempriere is congratulated by her husband, Jeff, after her election win. By Paul Dunlop
The newly re-elected councillor was the only one of a host of female candidates to be elected despite plenty of hopefuls.
There were five female candidates in Central Ward alone, but only Cr Lempriere made it through.
The defeats of Helen Ward and Leonora Cox have added to an increasingly male-dominated council.
The lack of women on council was bemoaned by a number of unsuccessful candidates.
Cr Lempriere said she would do her best to make sure the lone female voice was heard loud and clear.
Pleased to have won a tough battle that was decided in the end on preferences, Cr Lempriere said she would be going into the new council with an open mind.
Noting that there was a “different dynamic” about the new council, Cr Lempriere said she was keen to play a major part in representing the growth corridor area and the wider Cardinia Shire.
“I’m the only woman, it’s a whole new ball game. We’ll have to wait a while to watch it evolve,” she said.
“I believe it is an opportunity for a fresh start, we have a responsibility to deliver to this community and I hope and trust that is what will happen.”
Cr Lempriere was mayor in her first year on council and said she saw her willingness to speak her mind and maintain an independent view as a strength.
She said she had worked well in the past with Crs Bill Ronald, Graeme Legge and Doug Hamilton and hoped the new councillors could add a ‘freshness’ to the mix.
“I think it’s wise to have some old heads as well as newcomers,” she said.
“Before people start making wild statements about what may or may not happen I think we need to wait and see.”
