He was elected as a president in a close 4 to 3 vote last Tuesday resulting in Ms Tilbrook losing the role by one vote – an occurrence she did not anticipate.

Ms Tilbrook was the president of the shire for three years.

“I lost the position due to inexperienced councillors who didn’t vote for me but that is life and it’s politics,” she said.

“If this is a good change, we are yet to see it.”

Ms Tilbrook has served as president during one of the shire’s most turbulent times with the opening and closing of BHP Billiton’s nickel mine.

“I find that people want to cut down a tall poppy, especially when she is a woman who speaks her mind and is at times controversial,” she said.

However Ms Tilbrook and her husband of 25 years are getting ready for a new venture and will manage Hopetoun Motel and Chalet Village.

“I do think that everything happens for a reason and we are looking forward to our new venture,” she said.

She will remain on the council and continue to serve the community.

In the meantime the new president Mr Goldfinch is excited about the future of the shire.

The 67-year-old, who calls Jerdacuttup home and has lived in the area for 43 years, said the situation is really turning around after BHP Billiton ceased operating in January.

“We have two new mines opening up which are Galaxy, due to start n the next couple of weeks, and there is also Tectonic, which will start in the next 12 months,” he said.

“We are going forward and I suggest people get here fast before everything is gone.”

Mr Goldfinch has described BHP a “dark horse on the hill” at the moment due to rumours which are rife about the future of the site.

“What I want to do is run a team and to keep residents in town so they don’t pick up and leave,” he said.

Experienced in a range of roles from farming, operating a business to being a director of CBH, he wants the shire to move forward.

Mr Goldfinch said that a lot of money has been allocated by the State Government to accommodate a number of tourist projects, which are hoped to put the shire on the map as a tourist destination.

He thanked Brenda Tilbrook for all of her hard work and her dedication during her time in the office.

Keith Dunlop was elected as a deputy president.