More Councillors stood down as private individual disrupts democracy

Published on 13 July 2026

Council can confirm that Councillors Shirley Cornish, Lesley Hewitt and Pat Hockey have today been served with criminal charges, initiated by the same private individual who served other Councillors and our Chief Executive Officer earlier this year.

The matters are proceeding as private prosecutions and, like the previous charges, have not involved any investigation, fact‑finding process, or assessment by Victoria Police or any public prosecutorial authority.

Council is limited in what it can say publicly about these charges since they are before the courts. Council can say that it is bitterly disappointed with the impact that this individual’s actions are having on our community and its right to be represented by its democratically elected representatives.

This move appears to be a purposeful manipulation of the Local Government Act 2020 intended not to address any reasonably suspected wrongdoing, but instead to disrupt Council’s elected representatives and the fulfilment of their functions, and to hamper Council’s ability to continue to serve its community.

With only two Councillors not stood down as a result of this individual’s actions, Council Meetings of any kind cannot proceed as a quorum cannot be reached.

It is extremely important to note that Council’s day-to-day operations, like bin collection, library operation and road maintenance, will continue unaffected.

Council continues to work with the Victorian Government and relevant authorities to address these matters, and remains committed to maintaining strong governance, transparency and continuity of service to the Hepburn Shire community.

Council continues to act in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 and Council’s Integrity Policy.

As required by the Local Government Act 2020, Cr Shirley Cornish, Cr Lesley Hewitt and Cr Pat Hockey are all automatically stood down while this matter is managed through the appropriate processes.