SOUTHERN Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) deputy mayor and councillor, Helen Henry has re-nominated for council for a second term, hoping to bring experience in the role to the new face of Council.

Ms Henry, a local teacher and business owner, grew up in a farming family in Digby.

She has previously lived in Melbourne and returned to the Western District around 20 years ago, where she has raised two children and also several foster children in Hamilton.

Carrying experience in the role, Ms Henry has already served one term as councillor and was elected deputy mayor in 2022 and 2023.

“To be quite frank, I considered not running again,” she said.

“But I think it’s important to have balance of new voices and probably a few people who have some knowledge of what developments have happened in the past.

“It takes a while to get up to speed, and there’s things I’d like to see through now.”

While running a company and being Head of English at The Hamilton and Alexandra College, Ms Henry also demonstrated a passion for uplifting local youth and serving the community where possible.

“It’s a great community, Southern Grampians has been dubbed one of the most livable shires in Victoria,” she said.

“For a long time, we flew under the radar, a lot of people don’t know where we are.

“We have one of the most extraordinary landscapes, and one of the most high volunteer bases per head of population.

“We’re incredibly generous and it’s an incredibly beautiful place to live.”

If re-elected, Ms Henry said she hopes to continue to address current and withstanding Council projects and put them into action.

“Last term we were able to do some projects that have been on the books for a long time,” she said. 

“I know Cox Street isn’t finished, but it was on the books for nearly a decade and hadn’t got started.

“It would be good to continue and see that through and see anything unfinished through … and get on with the Art Gallery, CBD and Community Hub (projects).”

Ms Henry also said she was happy to see many new faces taking on the challenge of running for Council.

“It’s pleasing to see a number of new people putting their hand up, I wish them all the best,” she said.

“It’s an incredibly rewarding thing to do and it takes courage, and so I commend the people who are standing.”