Councillors and the CEO

(Terms: 2005-2008, 2008-2012, 2012-2016)

Cr Glenn Milne is commencing his third consecutive term on Mildura Rural City Council. It is also the third time he has been elected Mayor. Born and bred in the region, Cr Milne grew up on a dried fruit and citrus property at Cardross, while completing school and further education pursuits locally, he has always maintained a strong interest in horticulture. He has also been employed as a press photographer, worked in community development and welfare. The father of eight, including two foster children, Cr Milne is a life member of the Mallee Accommodation and Support Program and serves on the Board of Sunraysia Residential Services and the Mildura Chaplaincy Committee. Cr Milne holds the Governance Portfolio.

(Term: 2012-2016)

Cr Ali Cupper joins Council in 2012 for her first term in local government. A Mildura based family law solicitor, Cr Cupper lived in Mildura, Irymple and Sunnycliffs as a youngster and is passionate about the region she calls home. With particular interests in regional economic development, service access and social justice, Cr Cupper is keen to help shape our community’s future. She hopes her role as a Councillor will enable her to assist with and experience its evolution as it adapts and thrives in a modern, sophisticated and sustainable world. Cr Cupper holds the Community Development and Safety Portfolio.

(Terms: 2003-2005, 2005-2008, 2008-2012, 2012-2016)

Cr John Arnold is serving his fourth term as a Councillor. The father of two has always lived in the region and attended the Mildura Technical School (now Chaffey Secondary College). A long time horticulturalist at Merbein, Cr Arnold also operated an aluminium manufacturing business for almost 20 years. Cr Arnold is passionate about his home-region and committed to promoting Mildura as a great place to live. He hopes Council can drive economic development, see through major projects and encourage new tourism and sporting events and opportunities. Cr Arnold holds the Economic Development and Tourism Portfolio.

(Terms: 1997-2000, 2003-2005, 2012-2016)

Cr Greg Brown has served on two previous Councils, and is pleased to have again been given the opportunity to represent local residents. Cr Brown went to school in Underbool and Ouyen and has operated a dryland farm at Underbool for 55 years. He has also managed his own small business for 48 years. Passionate about rural Victoria, Cr Brown is keen to ensure locals can access the services, infrastructure and facilities they need, regardless of where they live or work throughout the municipality. Cr Brown holds the Infrastructure and Transport Portfolio.

(Terms: 2000-2003, 2005-5008, 2008-2012, 2012-2016)

Cr Mark Eckel remains committed to consulting with the region’s residents, promoting the region as a premium tourist destination and working to make Mildura a better place to live – now and into the future. The father of six, grandfather of 16 and great grandfather of 1 lists Mildura’s geographical location, lifestyle and multicultural community as highlights. Growing up the son of a naval officer father, Cr Eckel lived in most Australian states as a child and was educated at Sydney’s Marist Brothers College. In addition to working as a radio presenter at the Sunraysia Community radio Station, Cr Eckel is a keen sportsman, and looks after the Recreation and Sport Portfolio.

(Terms: 2008-2012, 2012-1016)

Commencing her second term on Council, Cr Judi Harris says all local governments share the challenge of finding a balance between the services and projects a community want, with the need to operate within strict Budgets. Determined to use collaboration skills attained during two-and-a-half decades as a high school teacher, she says effective consultation is the key to good outcomes and vital to her role on Council. Cr Harris has lived in the state’s north-west for more than 50 years and is committed to working to achieve a sustainable future for all generations, focusing on services, the environment and infrastructure issues and championing the creation of a strong, inclusive vision for the future. Cr Harris is responsible for the Environmental Sustainability Portfolio.

(Term: 2012-1016)

Cr Jill Joslyn is a former Council employee and this is her first term as a Councillor. Born in Daylesford, Cr Joslyn came to Mildura in 1979 with her husband and two young children and has been here ever since. Cr Joslyn has worked in small business and has considerable experience in the aged and community sectors. Prior to retiring in mid 2012, Cr Joslyn worked with young people in schools as Council’s School Focussed Youth Services Coordinator, a role she held for 15 years. Passionate about people from all walks of life, Cr Joslyn is looking forward to serving the community over the next four years, and holds the Arts and Culture Portfolio.

(Terms: 2005-2008, 2011-2012, 2012-2016)

Cr Sharyon Peart has a wealth of experience in community representative roles. In addition to embarking on her third term of Council, she represents the community she is so passionate about in a wide range of roles including Chair of the Mallee Catchment Management Authority and as a member of La Trobe University’s Advisory Board and Schools Advocacy Education Forum. Testament to her energy, commitment and drive, she is also a small business owner and mother of two teenage boys. Cr Peart is determined to continue to work to ensure the best possible outcomes for the region’s residents in terms of future infrastructure, economic development, education, health and well being, aged care and environment and tourism assets. Cr Peart is responsible for the Community Wellbeing and Services portfolio.

(Terms: 2008-2012, 2012-2016)

Cr Max Thorburn, an experienced broadcaster, sports commentator and journalist, again plans to fight for solid outcomes for residents living across the municipality. The father of four was educated at Upwey High School and has worked in commercial radio and television across Australia and overseas, including as Editor of the Mildura Independent Star for the past 25 years. Cr Thorburn is committed to improving quality of life for all, targeting local issues such as sports facilities, tourism, public transport, street scapes, tree-plantings and the positioning of nursing homes and retirement villages. In his second term on Council, Cr Thorburn is adamant Council must be accountable for rate payer money spent.

Born and educated in Melbourne, Mark’s link with local government came early when his father was elected the local Mayor.

Mark’s extensive professional experience in local government includes serving as a Council CEO in regional cities in New South Wales, Queensland and now Victoria. He has also overseen three council mergers as local government has evolved over time. Mark’s previous roles include inaugural CEO at Alpine Shire, General Manager at Albury City Council (NSW) and CEO at Hervey Bay City Council (Qld).

Mark is passionate about regional Australia and enjoys working with people to achieve results. Mark lives with his partner, Helen, and he has three adult children. Outside of work he can be found fishing, horse riding and keeping his small beef cattle farm ticking.

Phone: (03) 5018 8100
mrcc@mildura.vic.gov.au