Wattle Range Council has voted unanimously to remove the reference to Almighty God in the civic prayer which has opened each monthly meeting since the council began in 1997.

The successful notice of motion was lodged by Councillor Dale Price and was briefly debated when it held its December monthly meeting in Millicent on Tuesday afternoon.

A similar bid was made by another councillor almost eight years ago, it prompted a public outcry from local religious leaders and was voted down by 10 votes to one.

However, Tuesday’s vote was decisive in the other direction with several of the 2015 serving councillors changing their vote in the intervening years.

Cr Price said removing “Almighty God” was an inclusive move as it would allow people of various faiths to speak to their deities.

He said the council had an increasingly diverse workforce.

His motion was seconded by Cr Chris Brodie and statements of support came from councillors John Drew, Peter Dunnicliff, Emma Castine, David Walshaw and Moira Neagle.

Mayor Des Noll obtained the permission of the meeting to read aloud an alternative civic prayer which was suggested to him by Father Lyndon Sulzberger, parish priest of the Anglican Parish of Millicent and Penola.

Meanwhile, in a second notice of motion to Tuesday afternoon’s meeting, Cr Price successfully sought for the Acknowledgement of Country at the start of each meeting to be re-worded.

It now reads “We acknowledge the Boandik people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we meet and we pay respect to all Australians who have made and continue to make a positive contribution to our culture and way of life”.