Cr Rush secured the key vote of Cr Bobby Bourke to defeat the incumbent, Monica Morse, in a 5-4 vote at council’s monthly meeting. Cr Ian North was returned to the deputy mayoralty unopposed.

Cr Rush was elected to council for the first time last September after running as the number two candidate on Warren Aubin’s ticket.

While he received just 65 primary votes, he became the eighth councillor elected on the strength of Cr Aubin’s preferences.

Cr Rush became mayor last night with the support of councillors Bourke, Aubin, Greg Westman and Michael Coote, while Cr Morse received votes from councillors North, Jess Jennings and Graeme Hanger.

Cr Rush said there can be no greater honour or privilege than to fill the role of mayor, and he is determined to make Bathurst an even better place to live.

Before a packed gallery he congratulated Cr North and said he was looking forward to working with him, then turned his attention to the outgoing mayor. 

“Monica Morse – you have redefined the words determination and commitment,” Cr Rush said.

He said he admired the role Cr Morse played as mayor in leading a council divided for the past 12 months. 

He also had praise for the way she interacted with the community and indicated he intended to take a leaf out of her book.

“Monica brought lots of energy to the role,” Cr Rush said. “Her interaction with the community was wonderful to see.

“One of the things said about me is that I am not well-known by some segments of the community.

“My intention is for people to get to know me, not through my words but through my actions.”

Cr Rush said he hopes to attract as much state and federal funding for council as he can.

He said he is determined to improve Bathurst’s prosperity, increase services, create better job security and bring the community together.

“I have a big undertaking ahead of me and it has my full devotion,” he said.

Cr Morse said she was disappointed not to be re-elected and thanked Cr Rush for his gracious words.

“I loved my time as mayor, especially the opportunity to work with the community,” she said.

“Some mayors are businessmen mayors and some are community mayors.

“Now I will have greater opportunity to say things from the floor. I look forward to that.”

Paul Toole was mayor for four years before stepping down in 2011 to concentrate on his duties as the new state member.

Since then, Cr Westman (2011-12) and Cr Morse (2012-13) have lasted only a year in the role before being dumped by their colleagues.