Council
23 September, 2025
'Tumour of the palate' sidelines Horsham mayor
Brian Klowss will continue lead Horsham Rural City Council for the foreseeable future, mayor Ian Ross having revealed on Monday why he has had to step aside from official duties.
At council's monthly meeting on Monday afternoon, Cr Ross formalised his request for an indefinite leave of absence due to "some health issues".
The situation was first flagged publicly earlier this month when council appointed Cr Klowss as acting mayor under an interim arrangement.
It was said that he would carry out the rural city's mayoral duties when Cr Ross was unable to do so.
The full details of Cr Ross's condition were not released at that time.
However, Cr Ross told his fellow councillors and senior staff this week that "extensive medical testing" had identified a tumour of the palate extending up to "just beneath the brain".
"It's been diagnosed as an adenoid cystic carcinoma," he said.
"The nature of my illness means that I will need to take a leave of absence, the precise duration of which is currently unknown."
Cr Ross said he hoped to return to council once his treatment had been completed.
"As reluctant as I am to step away from the team, I couldn't be more confident about the direction HRCC is heading in," he said, reading from a prepared statement.
"I cannot adequately express just how much your support, love and prayers have meant to me during the past few weeks."
As an emotional Cr Ross faltered, Cr Klowss – seated to the mayor's right for the meeting – continued reading on his behalf.
"I have been truly overwhelmed by your messages and they will continue to uplift me during the next few months.
" I also know that your generous support will be offered to the team that will be working hard while I am away.
"I take great pride in being part of our wonderful Wimmera community.
"I am repeatedly humbled by this community and its ability to come together,"
Cr Ross was the only councillor returned to office in Horsham Rural City in last year's local government election.
Cr Klowss, who represents Wyn Wyn ward, said that he wanted to "talk about Ian Ross not just as our mayor but as someone I've come to know as both a friend and a colleague".
"Cr Ross, you've been on council for nearly five years now; you came into this role as mayor less than a year ago after being the only incumbent councillor who got re-elected.
"That says something about you, about how people see you and your work."
He said Cr Ross had delivered on his campaign promise to listen to voters and to ensure that outlying communities felt connected to council once more.
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