Message from Mayor Vic Pennisi

25 March 2024

Following the 2024 Local Government Election, please see below a message of thanks and gratitude from outgoing Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi.

“It is with a heavy heart that I pen these final words as Mayor of Southern Downs. I bear no malice towards anyone in relation to the election result of 16 March 2024. This is democracy at work and the people have spoken. I wish the successful candidates all the best going forward and I hope that they collectively deliver good governance to the people of Southern Downs. I am also confident that other candidates who have not been successful in this election will find new opportunities going forward to continue the good work they have started in Southern Downs - I too am looking forward to new endeavours.

“I wish the new Mayor a successful future at the helm and I hope that she finds the same rewards that I have been blessed with during my tenure as Mayor of Southern Downs. For me, the journey as Mayor was amazing and I am deeply proud of what Council achieved during my term. I have many fond memories of the 20 years I have been an elected representative and I thank the people of Southern Downs for their trust and support. I have given with good intent to the communities in Southern Downs, sometimes at the cost to my family. The future for me is bright and will give me more time to reconnect with family and friends.

“It would be remiss of me not to recognise the great staff at Southern Downs Regional Council that I have been fortunate to have worked with along the way. We have a dedicated workforce, beginning with the front counter staff, all the way through to our outdoors crew and office staff. I would like to extend a special thank you to CEO Dave Burges for his counsel and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Directors and Managers who have given the direction and information needed to make the big decisions. My sincere thanks also to the great media team who I worked closely with. To the Personal Assistants to the Mayor and Councillors, you have been the shining light each and every day.

“Finally to my supporters, I leave you with this message: ‘Many forms of Government have been tried and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.…’
Winston S Churchill, 11 November 1947

“Thanks for all the memories Southern Downs and God Bless you all. What a great place to live, work, play and stay.”