Deputy Shire President Resigns

Cr Cristoffanini is Relocating to Perth 

Deputy Shire President Paula Cristoffanini has announced she is relocating to Perth and will resign from Council as of 3 May.

Elected to the Council in 2019, Paula served as Shire President for two years from 2021 and led the Shire’s response to the Boranup Forest Bushfires just weeks after taking office. 

Driven by the simple desire to make a difference to people and protect the environment for future generations, Paula has made a significant contribution to the region with several achievements made under her leadership.

As Shire President, Paula played an instrumental role in endorsing the Shire’s Access and Inclusion Plan to improve access for those with disabilities, and support and celebrate the diversity of our residents. Recognising that the Shire should lead by example when it comes to the environment, she also strongly endorsed Shire initiatives encouraging sustainability to safeguard the region's biodiversity and make a positive contribution to global climate challenges. 

Additionally, she led the change to a new strategic direction for a values- driven and more community oriented approach exemplified by the co-management of our cultural centre, HEART - Nala Bardip Mia, with Arts Margaret River. Paula also oversaw the adoption and roll-out of the the Jenna Yen Mundamung - Walking Together Strategy, which was developed in collaboration with local traditional owners to enrich understanding of cultural history.

Paying tribute to Councillor Cristoffanini, Shire President Julia Meldrum said Paula has been an exemplary Councillor and magnificent community member, and that her decision to move is a loss the Council and the region. 

Paula and her late husband, Ian Williams, fulfilled their dream of living in the region when they bought their property in 2002. After taking time out to travel late last year, she decided she would sell her property and move back to Perth to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

The resignation creates a vacancy on the Council which will be filled in in accordance with the Local Government Act 1995. 

The Act states where a vacancy occurs it should be offered to the candidate that received the next highest number of votes during the most recent Local Government election, and as such the position was offered to Melissa D'Ath. Ms D’Ath will be sworn in as Councillor after the resignation of Cr Cristoffanini takes effect. 

The position of Deputy Shire President, made vacant by the resignation of Cr Cristoffanini, will be decided at the 24 April Council meeting.