Celebrating Councillor Keen and Councillor Strudwicke’s 20 years of service

The 20-year commitment of Adelaide Plains Council’s Deputy Mayor Marcus Strudwicke and Councillor Terry-Anne Keen was celebrated at the Local Government Association South Australia’s April Ordinary General Meeting.

Councillor Keen began her service in November 1998, as a Ward Councillor for Dublin in what was then the District Council of Mallala. One of the most memorable moments for Councillor Keen has been the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Council, “Council remained open and continued to deliver services to the community, leading by example. The council staff and elected members adapted smoothly without fuss and continued to function as a unit.”

When asked for the Council’s greatest achievement she has seen during her service, Councillor Keen said “Council is experiencing unprecedented growth at the moment. Managing the growth to enhance the lives of our residents and ratepayers, I believe is an achievement Council continues to deliver by.”

Councillor Strudwicke commenced his service in May 2000, with his most memorable experience being the Pinery fire in 2015. “I was acting Mayor due to the resignation of the [previous] Mayor, and Council was also without a CEO. As the community rebuilt, so did the Council, and with a newly appointed CEO, the renamed Adelaide Plains Council emerged,” Councillor Strudwicke said.

“The modernising of the Council through development of policies, asset management planning and long-term financial strategies has been the most noticeable change over the past two decades,” said Councillor Strudwicke of the Council’s greatest achievement made during his service so far. “This has put us in a strong position to manage the considerable growth in the region,” he said.

For two councillors to commit themselves to the service of their community for over 20 years is a great achievement. Being an elected member of a council is not an easy task with many challenges, however there are many highlights and accomplishments. The ratepayers have chosen to re-elect Councillor Keen and Councillor Strudwicke repeatedly over the years which indicates a level of satisfaction and confidence in them to represent the community. Well done to you both and congratulations on reaching these milestones.

Mayor Wasley

2 May 2023