Pastoralist elected to Ashburton Shire council in landslide
A long-term Pilbara pastoralist will next month be sworn in as a new Shire of Ashburton councillor after winning an extraordinary election in a landslide.
In a postal vote completed on July 20, Rory de Pledge was elected the Shire council’s new representative for the pastoral Ashburton ward over fellow candidate Marni Gillard with 96 per cent of the total vote.
Mr de Pledge got 23 votes to one in an area with 40 registered voters.
He will be officially sworn in at the council’s next meeting on August 14, at the Onslow council chambers.
Mr de Pledge is an owner and manager of Koordarrie Station, about 100km south of Onslow, and previously managed Yanrey Station about 110km south of the town.
In a candidate profile on the WA Electoral Commission website, Mr de Pledge said he was running for council because he was passionate about the Ashburton area and pastoral industry and wanted to give back to the community.
“I have been living in the Ashburton area for over 12 years now,” his profile stated.
“Over the past eight years (my family and I have) been busy building up (Koordarrie) station and our business.
“We love the Ashburton area, are passionate about the bush and the pastoral industry and feel it’s time to give back to the local area and community, so hence why I'm putting my hand up as a candidate for election on the Shire council.”
Mr de Pledge will replace former councillor Glen Dellar who resigned from the council in March because of business commitments.
Shire of Ashburton president Kerry White said Mr de Pledge would be a voice for the region’s pastoralists.
“Representation on council for the Ashburton ward has been vacant since Glen Dellar resigned from the role in March, 2018,” she said. “(I welcome) councillor-elect Mr de Pledge’s knowledge of the pastoral industry and look forward to working together to effectively advance the Shire.”
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