Council
5 September, 2025
HRCC elects deputy
FREE TO READ: Horsham Rural City Council elected Cr Brian Klowss to the position of Acting Mayor on Thursday, September 4, at an Additional Council Meeting.
The meeting was called to discuss interim arrangements due to some health issues being experienced by the mayor, Cr Ian Ross.
"I am currently experiencing some health issues that require treatment and consequently, there will be times I will be unavailable to fulfil my Mayoral duties," Cr Ross said.
"It is important that the Council can continue unaffected by my absence during this time.
"On that basis, councillors have resolved to appoint Cr Brian Klowss as Acting Mayor, who will step in to fulfil the duties of mayor on my behalf when I am unable to, and I am confident he'll do a good job.
" On a personal note, I am having a biopsy next Friday and after that I will know more about what my journey will look like," Cr Ross said.
I particularly want to thank the community for the many phone calls, messages, and posts wishing me well today; these have been very heartening.
The mayor said he is looking forward to being back on full-time duty very soon.
"I am grateful for the support of my fellow Councillors, staff, and the community during this time," he said.
Cr Klowss was elected unopposed to the Wyn Wyn Ward in the October 2024 local government council elections and has been an active first-term councillor since accepting the role.
"My first thoughts are that I am happy to keep the seat warm for the mayor during this time so that he can focus on his health, which must come first," he said.
"However, I must say it is an honour to be chosen as Acting Mayor by my fellow councillors, and I will fulfill the duties to the best of my ability."
" I am happy and proud to represent the council as Acting Mayor, but I would have preferred it to be under different circumstances.
Cr Klowss said that the council took this step as a precautionary measure in the absence of a Deputy Mayor who would normally step in if the mayor was not available.
The previous council moved a motion not to elect a deputy mayor in 2023, and the current council continued with that model, moving a similar motion in 2024.
A spokesperson for HRCC said, "Due to personal circumstances, Mayor Cr Ian Ross will need to take some periods of leave from official duties, and the council needed to have a councillor take on the responsibility of the Mayoral duties.
" At a special meeting, council resolved to appoint Cr Brian Klowss as Acting Mayor during the Mayor’s absence," they said.
without interruption.
"Council extends its support to Cr Ross during this time," they said.