Janie Dickenson

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Janie Dickenson

In office
22 February 2002 – 31 October 2005
Preceded by Annette Waddle
Succeeded by Ivan Dean
Constituency City of Launceston

Janie Dickenson was the mayor of Launceston City Council from 2002-2005 before being replaced by Ivan Dean on 31 October 2005. She is currently an Alderman with in the Launceston City Council although it is speculated she will give up the position. When Janie was elected as Mayor in February 2002 she was the youngest female mayor; at age 27, to serve in Australia. It was widely reported in The Examiner that Janie had a long running standoff with local alderman and MLC Harry George Brookes. She lost her position in the October 2005 elections to Ivan Dean by a slim majority of preferences (see Single transferable vote). In the 2005 elections she was tipped to secure a second term as Mayor and on the 26 October 2005 The Examiner local newspaper ran a front page story claiming she was winning by 2000 votes. But by the next day it was revealed Ivan Dean through preferential elimination had secured the lead by some 400 votes. Janie did secure her position as Alderman by the largest majority exceeding two quotas. For many in the community there was some outrage that Janie had been defeated seeing she had actually received the most votes for mayor.