COUNCILLOR Garion Thain was elected Deputy Mayor of Penrith at Monday night’s Council meeting, succeeding veteran Councillor Ross Fowler to become the youngest to ever hold the position.
Cr Thain pledged to maintain a Penrith-first approach, and noted that the unanimous election from all sides of politics proved that Penrith Council has remained collaborative.
“A year ago when I was first elected to Council, I said that I would work with anyone if they were willing to put Penrith first,” Cr Thain said on Monday night. “And I think I’ve stuck to my word.”
Cr Thain thanked his Councillor colleagues for their confidence in him and praised outgoing Deputy Mayor Ross Fowler for his service.
“Ross helped ensure that Council had a steady hand at a time when nine out of 15 Councillors were brand new. In the year since, his advice and positive feedback have helped me grow and develop – it’s meant a lot to me. I’ll continue to rely on his counsel.”
After thanking his father, Councillor John Thain, fiancée Bianca, and Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP for her mentorship, the new Deputy Mayor pledged to support Mayor Todd Carney as he leads Penrith through the current dynamic period of growth and change. He also noted that without Mayor Carney’s support, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
“It was Todd that said to me in 2021 that I should give this a try, it was Todd that ran for Mulgoa twice before I did in 2023, and he put his trust in me to run with him on his ticket last year. If it wasn’t for his mentorship, I wouldn’t be Deputy Mayor today. He’s someone who’s loyally dedicated to this city and I’m looking forward to supporting him further – Penrith’s been going to great places under his leadership.”
Cr Thain was elected to Penrith Council in September 2024. He chairs Penrith’s Heritage Committee, and is also a member of the Access Committee to continue his advocacy for people with disabilities, having a younger brother with Down Syndrome. In 2024, he was also unanimously appointed as Council’s representative to the board of St Marys Town Centre.
The next Deputy Mayor will be elected in September 2026.
