General News
6 May, 2025
Former Southern Downs Mayor Takes New Role
Stanthorpe businessman Vic Pennisi, who was Mayor of the Southern Downs Regional Council from 2020 to 2024, has been appointed chairperson of the Queensland Local Government Grants Commission.
The independent Commission plays a vital role in providing advice on the distribution of Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants to Queensland’s 77 local governments, delivering benefits to communities right across the state.
Mr Pennisi will be joined on the Commission, by fellow former Mayors Jane McNamara (from Flinders Shire), Peter Scott (Cook Shire) and Elvie Sandow (Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire).
They will serve as members, each for a term of three years until March 2028.
They join existing Commission deputy chairperson, Joshua Hannan, and member, Jan Pool.
The appointees take up their new responsibilities as outgoing chairperson Paul Bell AM and members Diedre Comerford, Janelle Menzies and Cr Kurt Rehbein conclude their terms serving the Commission.
Mr Pennisi ran for re-election as Southern Downs Mayor in March last year but was comfortably defeated by now-mayor Melissa Hamilton.
He has extensive experience in local government, economic development, and community engagement, including as a former Chair of Regional Development Australia Darling Downs & South West.
The Financial Assistance Grant is provided by the Australian Government and distributed annually to Queensland’s councils.
