GOOD connections with top politicians might make Barb Murdoch’s new job as mayor of Indigo a lot easier but she remains a grassroots person at heart.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Cr Murdoch, 64, has been a Labor Party member for 20 years and fought three parliamentary elections in Benambra and Indi.
Former Victorian premier Joan Kirner supported her in Benambra in 1999, as did future premier John Brumby.
In later elections she campaigned with Jenny Macklin and Stephen Conroy, now senior federal ministers.
This year she rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s partner Tim Mathieson at the opening of The Cube in Wodonga.
Her passion for the Labor Party is driven by a sense of social justice that led her to first join at 18, when she was training to be a teacher.
These days she keeps her feet on the ground as a mother of three, grandmother of five, and member of several community groups — and following Essendon.
She taught in state primary schools in Melbourne and Sale but later she and her late husband, Colin, operated supermarkets and hotels in Lanwarrin and Ballan.
In 1990, the couple and her three daughters came to Chiltern to run an IGA supermarket, Cr Murdoch quickly speaking up for small business on the GST and other issues.
The family caught up with old friends from Ballan, Don and Margaret Chambers, but in 2001 Cr Murdoch and Cr Chambers found themselves contesting Indi as rivals, the latter for the Nationals.
“Don and I have been good friends since Ballan and he’s been my mentor (in local government),” Cr Murdoch said.
In 2002, Cr Murdoch came within 600 of Liberal Tony Plowman’s primary vote in Benambra.
After fighting a couple of elections for Indigo unsuccessfully, Cr Murdoch was returned unopposed in 2005 and has also been on the North East Water board.
She resumed casual teaching, gaining a bachelor of education from La Trobe University, and fought on local issues.
Since her husband lost his battle with cancer in 2009, Cr Murdoch has continued her involvement with health issues.
With four new councillors among a council of seven, Cr Murdoch wants to ensure all are fully briefed on issues like the new offices at Beechworth and Yackandandah and the budget.
Although the council has awarded contracts to build the new offices, they are subject to the council winning planning approval from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Indigo is a major employer in the shire, with 200 staff led by chief executive Brendan McGrath.
Cr Murdoch is one of 15,300 shire residents.