A history-making local government election has seen a clean sweep of new councillors elected to Warrnambool City Council.
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It could even be the first time since the mid-1800s that the faces on council are all first-timers.
High-profile candidate Vicki Jellie received the equivalent of two quotas to take out the top spot with 6526 first preference votes followed by Otha Akoch, who also exceeded the quota to on 2771.
After preferences, Angie Paspaliaris, Debbie Arnott, Ben Blain, Max Taylor and Richard Ziegeler were elected to make up the new-look seven-member council.
Former Warrnambool council city manager Vern Robson said that in his 50 years in local government he had never known anyone to win so convincingly as what Ms Jellie had.
"To get such a proportion of the vote was just incredible," he said.
"There has never been such as reaction from the community as what we have seen with this election. To think that five retiring councillors who renominated were not successful. I think it is creating history."
Ms Jellie said the city of Warrnambool had spoken by their vote.
"A clear majority has opted for change," she said.
Ms Jellie congratulated the candidates who had stood for council and thanked the outgoing councillors for their service to the city over the years.
"I look forward to representing the community in this role and working with a great new team which is very exciting," she said.
She then declared: "Warrnambool is open for business".
Mr Akoch thanked the people of Warrnambool who had put their trust and faith in him.
Ms Paspaliaris said she was thrilled with the result.
"My goodness. I can't believe it's a clean sweep," she said.
"I really think it's time to listen, and listen properly, and I think that is what this new group is really capable of.
"Let's translate what people are saying in the community into action at council."
Ms Paspaliaris said it was a very community-minded group that would have to navigate its way through a pandemic. "That will be very challenging in itself," she said.
"We're going to have to make some changes financially.
"I think there is a lot to do and a lot to unpack considering the last few years."
Mrs Arnott said she was really honoured to be elected. "I'll try my best to support and represent the community," she said.
Ben Blain thanked people for all the support.
"It was a great campaign and a huge field. It's amazing. We've got a new council and seven totally brand new councillors. That would have to be a first for Warrnambool," he said.
"Seven totally new, never been in, nothing. It's nuts."
Mr Taylor said he almost didn't bother turning up for Tuesday morning's count because he was in 10th spot after first preferences and didn't think he would get in.
"I was debating whether I'd come up or not. I thought I didn't have any hope but I'm very pleasantly surprised," he said.
Mr Taylor said while he would like parking to be the first thing on the council's agenda he did point out that the current free two-hour parking between 9am and 11am was up for review in January.
"We'll see what happens then. Hopefully free two hours any time of the day," he said.
Richard Ziegeler, who was in sixth spot after first preferences, said he had been hopeful of getting across the line.
"I had some confidence that had been instilled by people that knew the game," he said.
"It's a marvellous change for the town the fact that we've got all seven in. It's an opportunity to start to see a clear way ahead."
Former chief executive officer Bruce Anson said it was rare to see more than 2700 first preference votes and not many candidates got to the quota.
Jacinta Ermacora is believed to be the last one to do that in the 2012 election.
He said the only times he could remember there being a whole new council was when it was first created in the 1800s and after amalgamations in 1994, but even then they weren't all first-timers.
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