Cr Conkey stepped into the top job unopposed on Monday night after former mayor Rod Kendall did not stand knowing he did not have the numbers to compete with Cr Conkey.

Cr Conkey is the son of Neville and Noreen Conkey and started out as a cadet journalist at the Herald in 1970, under the guidance of the late Barry Clarke. 

Among his many career achievements, Cr Conkey launched Wagga-based newspaper the Riverina Leader in 1979, and started ‘The Leader Christmas Food Appeal’ in 1980.

In 1992, Cr Conkey teamed up with World Vision to launch a fundraising campaign through the Leader.

The campaign, which aimed to provide two wells in Tanzania for safe drinking water, was so successful four wells were funded.

Cr Conkey has also held the position of chairman of the Lillier Lodge regional fundraising committee. 

Taking on the Deputy Mayor’s role is Dallas Tout.

Cr Conkey said he accepted the top job with “feelings of excitement, trepidation and if I’m really honest a little bit of fear”.

His top priority is to fix the city’s pothole-plagued roads and he will meet with Wagga and Riverina MPs to appeal for emergency funding. 

This month, Cr Conkey, an independent, was one of only two councillors to vote in favour of the Riverina Recovery House and formerly served on the Base Hospital drug and alcohol advisory committee.