The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has announced the appointment of a new president for the organisation, after the previous president was not re-elected.
First elected as MAV President by MAV delegates in 2021, David Clark has guided the sector out of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and overseen the re-imagining of the MAV organisation.
On 8 November, the VEC declared the results in the Pyrenees Shire election, and with Mr Clark failing to be re-elected, he has stood down as President of the MAV.
MAV Vice President, Jennifer Anderson, will now become MAV President until board elections in March 2025.
MAV CEO, Kelly Grigsby, paid tribute to David Clark and his significant contribution to both Municipal Association of Victoria and the Pyrenees Shire.
“As President of the MAV, he has represented the sector with distinction over the last four years,” Ms Grigsby said.
“Under his leadership and guidance, the association has experienced significant growth and realignment to ensure we are well placed to face the challenges of local government now and into the future.
“He has been at the forefront of our changed approach to intergovernmental relations, putting the best foot forward in meetings with ministers and MPs from across the parliament.
“Mr Clark’s tireless efforts, vision, and unwavering dedication to our sector have also led passionate advocacy for councils in planning and housing, roads conditions across the state, and financial sustainability – particularly through his work on the ALGA board.
“He has also led MAV’s state councils where his calm and in control demeanour in keeping everything on track will be missed.
“I hope David is proud of his service to the sector.”
Mr Clark thanked the many councillors and council staff with whom he worked, both in his role as MAV President as well as at Pyrenees Shire.
“Having first been elected in 1992, much has changed in how we do things, and little has changed both in what we do as a sector and how important it is for local communities in every corner of Victoria,” Mr Clark said.
“In my own Pyrenees Shire am I very proud that all our small communities have quality public facilities, decent roads and access to services to live well.
“Being MAV President has given me the unique privilege to represent the positive work of all councils on the matters important to the communities we serve.
“That the MAV and the sector more broadly generate significant media attention is simply a reflection of the many ways in which the work of local government touches the private and commercial lives of people every day.”
Mr Clark said that he is very proud to have overseen the modernising of MAV, in its rules, its operating structure and its focus on the big issues of today and tomorrow.
“I’m also pleased we continued to focus on federal funding as a significant boost to our capacity as councils, particularly in the context of roads and other infrastructure.
“Government at all levels work best when they work together. We have made many positive strides in this space, particularly in response to the housing crisis, however there is much more yet to do.
“Thank you to CEO Kelly Grigsby at MAV for being a contemporary leader who embraces change, as well as for leading great people who are here to make a difference. I will continue to be the sector’s strongest supporter and advocate.”
