At the final meeting of their term on Monday night, the elected officials discussed what they considered the achievements and lessons of their time in power.

Councillor Pam Clarke congratulated the nine candidates standing for Horsham in the 2020 Local Government Elections in October, wishing those ultimately elected all the best.

In her final words as a councillor at the meeting, she said: "After four terms (14 years) as a Councillor and three terms (three years) as Mayor, I leave the Horsham Rural City Council with no regrets and a great deal of pride at what we have all achieved.

"The highlights of my time as a councillor (include) the planning, fundraising, construction, and completion of the Horsham Aquatic Centre, Horsham Town Hall and Art Gallery, Kalkee Road Community and Children's Hub, and the planning and commencement of the City to River Precinct Project."

Councillors say their goodbyes:

Councillor Alethea Gulvin, who was elected at the age of 22, said: "There are many things that I have been proud of and others that I believe were learning experiences. I have reflected a great deal over my term as a Councillor, and have appreciated the support that has been provided by many people, to allow me to develop and grow."

Councillor Josh Koenig said: "As a group we have definitely had some ups and downs, but we have also achieved some great things and the one that I'm personally very proud of is the implementation of the Horsham Rural City Council Youth Strategy, this is so exciting for the future and really tells our young people that they matter, and that we care.

"My favourite part of being a councillor was not time spent in the chamber but within the community. At events such as the Anzac Day services, the opening of new businesses and at schools talking to classes about local government."

Cr Koenig thanked councillors Pam Clarke and Mark Radford for leading as mayors in the past four years, in the face of "at times unfair scrutiny and criticism".

The council's chief executive Sunil Bhalla thanked Crs Clarke and Radford for their leadership, and thanked the councillors too.

"You may not think this way, but I think much has been achieved in your four years," he said.

"I know we all tend to gravitate towards physical outcomes, and there have been many... the Anzac Bridge, the roof over the livestock exchange, the Horsham outdoor pool. But to me your legacy is in the long-term planning you have overseen, whether it is to do with open space, the future of sporting facilities for this community, the youth strategy, the transport plan, resolving the council's position on the alternative truck route.

"You leave this council in a very sound financial position, with very healthy cash reserves, low borrowings and a very strong capital works program."

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