WALCHA council is guaranteed to have some fresh faces come September, with the mayor and deputy mayor deciding not to stand in the local government election.
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Janelle Archdale and Scott Schmutter have both called time on their local government careers, to focus more on work and family.
They said the town would be left in safe hands, with a number of potential candidates emerging from Walcha’s victorious battle against forced amalgamation.
“With the formation of the Save Walcha Council group, there are a number of people with a strong community interest who would be very capable of being on council,” Cr Archdale said.
“The fact we got through the amalgamation issue leaves a strong and solid platform for the new council to pick up the ball and run with it. Council needs younger people with energy and new ideas.”
Both Cr Archdale and Cr Schmutter are “incredible proud” of escaping three amalgamation attempts in eight years.
“Nothing brings a community together more than those battles and nothing makes you more proud to be from Walcha than to see that sort of spirit,” Cr Schmutter said.
Along with the fight against amalgamations, Cr Archdale said she was very proud of her work with the local health committee.
“We’ve been able to transition from an old hospital that wasn’t going to meet the building requirements of a hospital, to a brand new one that services the whole community,” she said.
Cr Schmutter is a teacher in Tamworth and is stepping away to focus on his career.
He was only 20 when he became a councillor and learnt a great deal during his eight years on council, with four as deputy mayor.
For him, the many social programs he contributed towards, such as the outdoor art gallery, stood out as crowning achievements.
“We’ve now got 50 pieces of art around the place, which has attracted tourism and investment in business in the main street,” he said.
“The river development has been fantastic and we’ve got gym equipment to compliment the outdoor art. And the memorial at the cemetery for Aboriginal people buried in unmarked graves, which is about to be opened, has really bridged the gap between the land care council, local Aborigines and council.
“The whole experience has been fantastic – it’s one of the most frustrating, yet enjoyable experiences you could hope for,” he said.
Cr Archdale, who has been on council for 16 years and mayor for four, said it was a “long and hard” decision that took a while to come to, but she’s pleased she did.
She’s looking forward to devoting more time to her business, dusting off the golf sticks and spending more time with her family.
“My husband hasn’t seen me much over the last four years,” she said, laughing.
“I’ll miss it terrible – I’ll certainly miss the people I’ve met and the friends I’ve made. I’ve been very lucky to have the opportunities and experiences I’ve had over the last 16 years.
“Hopefully we will have a bit of a party with the community to thank them for all their support. They’ve been amazing and we would not have achieved anything without the community.”
Councillor Maria Woods has also decided to retire from local government after 16 years on Walcha Council.
