Pat Ryan elected Upper Hunter Shire Mayor, replacing Maurice Collison
Upper Hunter Shire Council(Upper Hunter Shire Council)
Newy 87.8 FM – Upper Hunter Shire Council has elected Cr Pat Ryan as Mayor at its mid-term election, held during the Council meeting on Monday 28 September 2026.
Cr Ryan moves into the mayoral role from the position of Deputy Mayor, replacing long-serving Mayor Cr Maurice Collison. Cr Peter McGill was elected Deputy Mayor.
The elections were conducted by a show of hands at the ordinary Council meeting, which commenced at 5pm. Local media have reported the mayoral vote was decided five votes to four, though the margin is not stated in the council's own material.
Cr Collison will continue to serve the community as a Councillor. He was first elected to the Council in 2012 and was elected Mayor on 16 June 2020, giving him a 14-year commitment to the community, including more than six years as Mayor.
In NSW councils where councillors elect the Mayor, a mayoral election is held every two years, including midway through the four-year Council term.
The new Mayor and Deputy Mayor will hold office for the next two years, until September 2028.
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