Council
21 November, 2025
Blain re-elected mayor for third term
BEN Blain has been re-elected mayor of Warrnambool City Council for a third consecutive term.
Cr Blain was re-elected Warrnambool mayor for another 12-month term during a special meeting of council earlier this week.
At the same meeting, Cr Walsh was elected deputy mayor - both were elected unopposed.
Cr Blain thanked his fellow councillors for their support, and said that he was looking forward to a big year ahead.
“I’d really like to say a huge thank you to all the councillor group for your support, it really does mean a lot, and thank you for all of the different things that everyone here brings to the table,” he said.
“I’d like to mention Vicki who has been deputy mayor for the last two years; she has done an amazing job.
“It has been great to lead a hard-working council in the last year and I look forward to seeing what we can achieve in the year ahead.
“It’s an exciting time for the city. We are growing... but we need to have the community infrastructure in order to be able to support that.
“I’m really looking forward to a busy year and keeping Warrnambool and the south west front of mind to make sure that we get what we deserve.”
Cr Walsh said he was looking forward to his new role.
“I appreciate the support of everyone in this room,” he said.
“I would also like to call out Cr Jellie for her unwavering support to this council and to the mayor. I feel very honoured to follow in her shoes.
“I’m really looking forward to the opportunity of supporting the mayor to carry forward the hopes and dreams of our community.
“We’ve got a lot of advocacy to do this year and I’m looking forward to supporting that and really putting the needs of our community first. That’s essentially what we’re here for.”
