Mayor’s flood of support

By Melissa Meehan
AFTER a year in the top job, George Blenkhorn is happy to enjoy a cuppa looking over his picturesque Nar Nar Goon property and reflect on the year that was.
In his only year as mayor, Cr Blenkhorn said he learnt so much, but it was time to step aside and give someone else a turn as well as give his wife Sue a rest from ironing so many shirts.
“It really has made a difference for my wife who now only has to iron a couple of shirts a week since I finished my term as mayor – there was a time there she was having to iron up to six a week,” he says with a smile.
“I really enjoyed the year, it was a great experience and the support of my fellow councillors was also wonderful.”
He said being mayor, people expected that he could get things done, and often couldn’t understand that he still only had one vote out of seven.
“Once your voted in as a councillor, you are not only a councillor for your own ward but for the whole shire,” he said.
“You have to look after the interests of the whole shire.”
In a year of so many highlights, Cr Blenkhorn said it was difficult to pick a few, but said meeting with Minister for Education Martin Dixon about the special school in Officer was one of the best.
“He asked one of his planning staff how long the planning would take and then told them to do it in three months,” Cr Blenkhorn said.
“That’s when we really knew we had the support of the Government.”
Another highlight, Cr Blenkhorn said was the opening of the new hall and library complex.
But a lowlight was the drama surrounding the Cockatoo Kindergarten. Councillors voted to demolish the asbestos-ridden facility – but those who used the building as a refuge on Ash Wednesday didn’t want to lose it.
“Dealing with the community’s emotion was quite difficult, it was a very emotional thing for the community,” Cr Blenkhorn said.
“It was tough because the council had agreed on the process. And as mayor I became the spokesperson.”
He said it was the most controversial issue the council dealt with, considering they did not expect so much community response.
Looking to the future, Cr Blenkhorn said growth in Cardinia was an issue the council should be mindful in keeping up with.
“It is a pressure powered by financial restrictions,” he said.
“We could build everything we needed if we had unlimited funds, but that isn’t how it is.
“The main thing is that we continue to maintain our assets including rural roads and facilities.”
While most highlights of the year were council related, Cr Blenkhorn said one of the highest points was being invited to the Boxing Day Test as mayor and seeing England win the Ashes.