Wayne Thorley elected mayor in Murray Bridge

Two new faces will join the council, too, following the 2022 local government election.

Wayne Thorley elected mayor in Murray Bridge

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Wayne Thorley has won election as the next Mayor of Murray Bridge. Photo: Peri Strathearn.

Wayne Thorley will be the next Mayor of Murray Bridge.

The provisional result of the 2022 council election came in around 3.30pm on Saturday.

Mr Thorley - a councillor and the city’s deputy mayor during the previous term - won about 74 per cent of votes cast at the poll.

“I hope I can do half as good a job as my predecessor,” Mr Thorley said.

“That’s all I can hope for.”

He thanked his council colleagues for their support in the lead-up to the election, and each of the 4000 residents who voted for him.

“I appreciate their confidence and support, and want to make sure I fulfil their expectations,” he said.

“I look forward to our community doing (more of) what we’ve been doing for a while: being proud, safe and progressive.”

Dawn Matthews, his defeated opponent, offered her congratulations.

“I look forward to what the future holds for (the) Murray Bridge community,” she said.

“Not forgetting those residents who voted for me – arohanui, much love.”

Familiar faces return as councillors

Meanwhile, two new faces have been elected to Murray Bridge’s nine-member council.

Tom Haig, a celebrant known for his work with the Murraylands Migrant Resource Centre and TAFE SA, had previously served as a councillor during the 1990s.

Lisa Courtney will bring to the table her expertise in working with some of the district’s most vulnerable people as a mental health nurse and drug and alcohol recovery program manager.

The other seven spots will be filled by the seven councillors who ran for re-election:

  • Airlie Keen
  • Andrew Baltensperger
  • John DeMichele
  • Fred Toogood
  • Clem Schubert
  • Karen Eckermann
  • Mat O’Brien

Election results have also been rolling in from other local government districts, including the Coorong, where Paul Simmons has been returned as mayor.


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