Previously, the Crookwell Shire, and now Upper Lachlan Shire, has only managed to have seven females in office, with Betty Hall being the first. Mrs Hall was in office from 1971 to 1977.

Janet Hayes was in office from 1988-89 and when she left Crookwell she moved to Kempsey Shire and become a councillor in 1998 after her husband’s death. She was elected Mayor of Kempsey and served from 2001 to 2006. She later died of a brain aneurism in 2011.

Barbara Johnston was in office 1995-99; and another well-known Crookwell identity, Doreen Wheelwright, was a councillor for two terms, 1991-1999. 

Sandra Bill from Crookwell held office, 1999-2012; Roslyn Joseph, 1999-2004; and up until the last local government election, Jo Marshall, 2012-2016. Mrs Marshall did not nominate for the current term.

As for the eight fellow councillors who now join Mrs Kensit in the council chambers for the next four years, “Good luck to them,” said unsuccessful candidate Malcolm Barlow.

The former Upper Lachlan councillor failed to make the final nine in the September 10 election.

Mr Barlow, for the eight years in which he served on the council, was noted for his unremitting opposition to the expansion of wind farms in the Shire, and for his efforts to reduce the impact of the wind farms on residents.

He was very active on the council, holding positions on a number of committees and representing the council on other community projects.

Commenting on the elections, Mr Barlow said: “For the first time in my long experience we had very extensive – and expensive – electioneering going on.

“The electioneering [by other candidates] has paid off – and they’re welcome to it.

“I will now have the time to do more things with my life.

“If the new councillors want to be on nine or 10 committees, as I was, let them attend to it.

“And, good luck to them.”