Councillors and Wards

Gannawarra Shire Councillors and Wards

Gannawarra Shire Council covers 3,735.32 sqKm and has seven elected Councillors representing the people of four wards.  The Councillors are:

The wards within Gannawarra Shire are Avoca, Murray, Patchell and Yarran: 

  • Avoca Ward (One Councillor) - includes Mystic Park, Lake Charm, Quambatook and Lalbert.
  • Murray Ward (One Councillor) - includes Murrabit and Koondrook.
  • Patchell Ward (Three Councillors)- includes Kerang and Macorna.
  • Yarran Ward (Two councillors) - includes Cohuna and Leitchville. 

 Download detailed ward map


Mayor Cr Max Fehring 
Patchell Ward

Cr Max Fehring was elected Mayor in December 2010. He and his wife Denise are dairy farmers and have four sons.  An esteemed Churchill Fellow and a Centenary Medal recipient for Community Service, Cr Fehring is a strong advocate for his community and for transparent and consultative water reform. He is a former United Dairy Farmers of Victoria President, and former board member of both the Geoffrey Gardiner Dairy Foundation and Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.

Contact Details
9 Heils Rd
Cohuna VIC 3568

Phone: (03) 5456 2359
Fax: (03) 5456 3252
Mobile: 0417 307 157
Email: max.fehring@gsc.vic.gov.au

Major Portfolios and Committees

  • Audit Committee
  • Cohuna Recreation Reserve
  • Environment Portfolio
  • Finance Portfolio
  • Greenhouse Alliance
  • Landcare Steering Committee
  • Wakool-Gannawarra Planning & Resources Committee

Deputy Mayor Cr Glenn Hall 
Yarran Ward

Contact Details
19 Western Road
COHUNA VIC 3568

Phone: (03) 5456 3100
Email: glenn.hall@gsc.vic.gov.au

 
Cr Keith den Houting
Patchell Ward 

Cr Keith den Houting is a man of the land, having spent 18 years as a dairy farmer and 16 years as a supervisor with the Department of Agriculture. Cr den Houting has strong community ties and works hard to protect the quality of life of those who live in the Gannawarra Shire. Cr den Houting was Mayor from November 2006 to December 2010.

Contact Details

PO Box 495
Kerang VIC 3579

Phone: (03) 5452 2973
Fax: (03) 5452 2980
Mobile:
Email: keith.denhouting@gsc.vic.gov.au

Major Portfolios and Committees

  • Council's EC Taskforce
  • Council's Drought Advisory Committee
  • Drought Reference Group
  • Loddon Campaspe Mayor's & CEO's forum
  • Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
  • Municipal Aerodrome Association
  • Murray River Group of Councils (MRGC)
  • North Central Municipalities Association
  • North West Municipalities Association
  • Rural Councils Victoria
  • Saleyards Working Group
  • Wakool/Gannawarra Planning and Resources Committee
  • Youth Council
Cr Neville Goulding 
Yarran Ward

Cr Goulding is a local dairy farmer working in partnership with his brother and nephew. He was an inaugural member of the Barr Creek Salinity Plan and then Chairman of the Torrumbarry East of Loddon Land and Water Plan for ten years. He also serves on the Murray Regional Development Board. Cr Goulding is also President of the Victorian Association of Regional Waste Management Groups.

Contact Details
Murray Valley Highway
Cohuna VIC 3568

Phone: (03) 5456 3270
Fax: (03) 5456 3354
Email: neville.goulding@gsc.vic.gov.au

Major Portfolios and Committees

  • Central Murray Regional Waste Management Group (Chairman)
  • Cohuna ECA Centre Committee
  • Environment Portfolio
  • Greenhouse Alliance
  • Landcare Steering Committee
  • Leitchville Pool Committee
  • Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Implementation Committee (NCCMA)
  • MAV Planning Advisory Committee
  • Planning Consultancy Reference Committee
  • Planning Portfolio
  • Victorian Environment Assessment Council Community Reference Group

 


Cr Oscar Aertssen 
Murray Ward

Cr Oscar Aertssen is a dedicated community contributor, the program co-odinator for the Loddon Murray Community Leadership Program. He is a retired member of the Victoria Police Force.

Contact Details
27 Lily Street
Koondrook Vic 3580

Phone: (03) 5453 1870
Mobile: 0409 638 420
Fax: (03) 5453 3652
Email: oscar.aertssen@gsc.vic.gov.au

Major Portfolios and Committees

  • Councillor responsible for Gannawarra Shire Youth Council
  • Community Service Portfolio
  • Economic Development, Tourism & Recreation Portfolio
  • Exceptional Circumstances Task Force
  • Wakool-Gannawarra Planning & Resources Committee
Cr Lui Basile 
Patchell Ward

Cr Lui Basile has extensive experience in local government, having served 11 years on the former Borough of Kerang Council, including two terms as Mayor. He has held Board positions with Lower Murray Water and the former Kerang Water Board and Sewage Authority and is a practising solicitor.

Contact Details
PO Box 270
Kerang Vic 3579

Phone: (03) 5450 3577
Fax: (03) 5452 2644
Email: lui.basile@gsc.vic.gov.au

Major Portfolios and Committees

  • Community Services Portfolio
  • Economic Development, Tourism & Recreation Portfolio
  • Loddon Campaspe Mayors & CEOs Forum
  • Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
  • MAV Strategic Environment Advisory Group
  • Murray Darling Association
  • Murray River Group of Councils
  • North Central Municipalities Association
  • Rural Councils Network (Vic)

Cr Neil Gannon 
Avoca Ward

Contact Details

2571 Murray Valley Highway
Mystic Park Vic 3579

Phone: (03) 5457 9377
Fax: (03) 5457 9377
Email: neil.gannon@gsc.vic.gov.au