It's been a hotly contested campaign for Warrnambool City Council candidates and while we may not agree with the decisions our elected representatives make, and we may argue about who should be elected, or who might do the best job, Australia continues to exude a confidence in its democracy that other nations can only envy.

Council election results have been breaking news for the past few days, with Moyne, Corangamite, Southern Grampians and Glenelg Shire councillors all announced with a minimum of fuss and a great degree of relief, no doubt, for some.

Compare the calm acceptance of the processes at play here to the turbulence and simmering tensions in America, where an embattled President Trump has demonstrated some poor behaviour and leadership by seeking to challenge the election results even as they are still unfolding.

It was short sighted, rash, and potentially very dangerous at a time when America is on edge.

Leadership is about so much more than how you manage the good times or the easy challenges, and on that basis, Mr Trump has failed poorly. He surely, should know better. His comments are divisive when his nation needs to unite, and they set a bad example to the American people, and the world.

We watch on from afar, amidst the very real concern and fear that America could deteriorate into a mire of violence and protests, spurred on by the poorly chosen words of a leader who should know better.

Back home, we have seen humble acknowledgements and gratitude from candidates for the VEC and for the conduct of the local government elections.

And as the votes for the new Warrnambool City Council continue to be counted, we expect confirmation next week of the seven elected members of our community who have earned the right to represent us for the coming four years. We wish them well.