Twelve years ago Hughenden grazier Jane McNamara put her hand up to be a councillor with the Flinders shire.
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At the end of the 2004 count she and another candidate couldn’t be separated in eighth position, and so a marble draw determined the result.
Jane lost that time but today she will be confirmed as the winner in another close contest, this time as the mayor of the Flinders shire.
At the close of counting on election night, Jane had a slim 10-vote lead over incumbent mayor Greg Jones.
When outstanding postal votes were added to the tally on Tuesday, both candidates received 14 votes, meaning Jane had maintained her margin.
Jane said her family had been involved in local politics since 1952, through her father Steve Abbott, a former mayor, and she was keen to continue the tradition.
“He passed away on March 19, 1969, so I took that as a good omen,” she said.
This year’s local government elections took place on March 19.
Jane believes council needs to hitch itself to the coattails of the push for northern Australia development, saying it had an opportunity to bring more industry diversity into being.
“We would all like to see the Hann Highway sealed, and I’m keen to have a second doctor, but I especially want to see more lobbying and networking happening between us and state and federal politicians,” she said.
