This year's Local Government Elections saw a major shake-up of councils across the South-West, but none greater than the Shire of Capel - with four new faces and a new president for the first time in almost two decades.
Of the 13 candidates, Rosina Mogg, Kieran Noonan, Kaara Andrew, and David Clews were successful in gaining seats, while Sebastian Schiano was re-elected for a second term.
Mrs Andrew received the most amount of support with 10.83 per cent of the vote, followed closely by Mr Clews with 10.52 per cent and Mr Noonan with 10.21 per cent.
Peter McCleery (1,281), Christine Terrantroy (1,269), Brian Hearne (1,263), Jennifer Scott (1,235), Ross Slater (1,183), Nicolas Pozniakov (915), Bernie Masters (893), and Barry Bell (846) were all praised for their efforts.
Councillor Michael Southwell's appointment as president marks the beginning of a new era for the shire, ending Murray Scott's 18-year term in the role.
Mrs Andrew was elected deputy shire president 5-4 to Mr Schiano.
During the council meeting on Monday, October 21, Mr Southwell said the result highlighted that the community was eager to see change.
"This is a significant moment for me and for the Shire of Capel," he said.
"We welcome four new councillors, and it seems obvious that the community is demanding to see a change in the way we do things here.
"We cannot keep doing things the way we have done them.
"People have great expectations of council - they want to see council explain what they can do for the community, not what they cannot do."
The shake-up comes just days after more than 300 electors attended a special meeting to voice concerns over the Bunbury Outer Ring Road and the proposed Asphalt Plant in Gelorup.
Candidates in other parts of the South-West also waited with bated breath for the results, as the votes were counted on Saturday, October 19.
The Bunbury City Council election saw Amanda Yip receive the highest number of votes with 3,741 (11.02 per cent of the vote).
Fellow candidates Karen Turner (2,988), Betty McCleary (2,601), Wendy Giles (2,468), Kris Plumb (2468), and Cheryl Kozisek (2,294) were also elected to council.
The six placed ahead of Marina Quain (2,196), Sam Morris (2,082), Caspian Yurisich (2,060), Robert Nicholson (1,910), Michael Lay (1,874), James Searle (1,691), Richard Payton (1,628), Zyggi Uchwal (1,521), Alfred Leigh (1,301), and Daniel Singleton (1,138).
This year's election saw a turnout rate of 28.55 per cent, well below the figures from 2017 (35.10 per cent).
City of Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said he was disappointed with the low turnout of voters.
There is now change in gender balance on the Bunbury council with five men and eight women. Mayor Brennan said he always advocated for gender, age and experience diversity on council.
"The worst situation is to have a council that all thinks and acts the same, when there is range of views you have debate which leads to robust decision making," he said.
Shire of Dardanup representatives have congratulated the four candidates elected to council, last week.
Councillor Patricia Perks received 1,362 votes, ahead of current deputy shire president Peter Robinson (1,157).
Burekup resident Mark Hutchinson (994) and Eaton's Stacey Gillespie (973) were also voted in, while James Lee (911), Graham Lord (908), Ian Hayward (797), Annette Webster (768), Greg Homer (617), Shah Kalakhel (477), and Dudley Greathead (339) all missed out.
Eleven community members went head-to-head in this year's Harvey Shire Council election.
Paul Beech (2,600), Tania Jackson (2,502), Francis Burgoyne (2,417), Amanda Lovitt (2,352), and Craig Carbone (2,200) were all re-elected.
John Bromham (2,553) and Robyn Coleman (2,280) were picked to fill the remaining two positions
The pair beat out Jodie Taylor (1,795), Minh Ta-Murton (1,701), Anthony Joseph Marinovich (1,691), and Brian Hanson (1,680).
On Monday, councillors Paul Gillett and Francis Burgoyne were elected shire president and deputy shire president respectively.
Although elector participation rates were generally down on 2017, Acting WA electoral commissioner Chris Avent said a high number of candidates put themselves forward to serve their communities.
Head to elections.wa.gov.au/elections/local/election#/ for more information about this year's results.