A change of the guard, councillors voted for Furry at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, triggering former Deputy Mayor Kim Turner to step down.

Furry is the council’s youngest Deputy Mayor at the age of 25 and has already copped some criticism over this from the community. The councillor of two years, however, always has input at meetings and, ready to take on the job said, “I will not let you down.”

Like Mayor Abbey, Furry will hold the leadership role for the next two years and will be responsible for covering duties and functions in the Mayor’s absence.

Neither Furry nor Abbey were uncontested in gaining votes on the night. Cr Turner and Cr Jasmin Jones raised their hands for the Deputy Mayor role, but Cr Jones was out in the first round with only one vote and Cr Turner out in the second round with two to six votes to Furry.

Cr Turner also went for the role of Mayor, questioning Abbey’s ability to juggle the role and stand as Chair of the Canberra Region Joint Organisation, a collection of local councils. However, Abbey argued she had the “drive and energy” to maintain both roles and won six votes to three.

In term, Mayor Abbey said she hopes to continue to grow Yass Valley, focusing on projects such as the water pipeline from Yass to Murrumbateman; duplication of the Barton Hwy and a school for Murrumbateman.

At the meeting, council also appointed Sharon Hutch to General Manager for four years. Ms Hutch replaces David Rowe who left in July and has been Acting General Manager since then. She was previously Director of Finance and Corporate.

Councillors remain as Cr Jones, Cr Turner, Cr McManus, Cr Frost, Cr Reid, Cr Harker and Cr Burgess.