Cr Goodall and The Sisters’ Bernie Harris were in the running for the vacancy, which arose after James Purcell was elected to the upper house of State Parliament at the November election and had to step down from the council.

The Victorian Electoral Commission re-counted 1455 votes that placed Mr Purcell as first preference.

The re-count results had Cr Goodall with 990 votes and Mr Harris 465.

Cr Goodall said he is looking forward to the challenges that come with being on the council.

“When I ran for council two years ago I was very keen and committed and that hasn’t changed,” Cr Goodall said.

“I am from Mortlake and heavily involved in that community but I am a councillor for all the Moyne Shire.

“The first thing I will be doing is listening to the community. I am not an expert who will tell people what they want, I am here to help the community.

“I think local government plays an important role. State government is too far removed from rural communities. Local council is perfectly placed to get feedback and have a direct impact.”

He identified roads, maintaining council infrastructure and getting the planning process right as some key issues facing Moyne. 

Cr Goodall, 63, brings plenty of local government experience to the role after a career as a public servant. The last 10 years of his working life were with the department of local government as a municipal instructor in Melbourne. 

He retired seven years ago to Mortlake, the town in which he grew up.

Since returning he has been an active member of the community serving as president of the Mortlake Community Development Committee and the Mortlake and District Historical Society.