Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss has apologised to the previous councillor group, including past mayor Annemarie McCabe, for losing his temper during debate at a council meeting last year.
Cr Goss issued the apology as part of his mayoral minute at Wednesday afternoon’s council meeting, stating it followed 12 months of reflection.
Whilst not specifying which meeting, Cr Goss said his outburst occurred during a “very acrimonious and bitter debate involving all councillors.”
“In the heat of that moment, I lost my temper and said some things I deeply regret,” he said.

"Anyone who knows me, including my fellow councillors here today, you just wouldn't have recognised the person who overstepped the mark that day. To be honest, I hardly recognise that version of myself either.
"I immediately regretted that outburst and, over the past year, have reflected on those actions and how I handled that debate.
"Today I want to offer my unreserved apology to then mayor Annemarie McCabe and all of the councillors who were present that day," Cr Goss said.
Whilst noting there were extenuating circumstances behind the scenes at the time, Cr Goss said he chose not to revisit them "as they don't excuse the actions."
"At the end of the day, I take full responsibility for my conduct," he concluded. "I want to make it clear this apology comes from me alone. Nobody's asked me to make it. It's just the right thing to do."
Whilst tensions and a clear divide were on display amongst the previous councillor group at several meetings last year, a heated confrontation occurred during a rescission motion in April.
Yelling, finger pointing and violin playing hand gestures concluded debate as three councillors sought to overturn a controversial place naming policy.
Whilst debate had been civil, it became heated in Cr Goss' right of reply with then councillor Jazmin Tauru asking "could you stop yelling?".
As the mayor (Ms McCabe) rang a bell to signal time, Cr Goss accused her of misquoting as well as conducting "a man bashing exercise" at an International Women's Day event.
Ms McCabe asked him to conclude multiple times before proclaiming "sit down Cr Goss or I'll ask you to leave the chamber."
Later, using her final mayoral minute before the election, Ms McCabe made claims of bullying, appalling behaviour and a "boys' club" mentality in Baw Baw Shire.
"When I became a councillor in 2020, I felt there was certainly an element of a boys' club," she said. "In my opinion, women were not respected and it was unprofessional and, at times, a hostile environment. Not a lot has changed over the four years."
"I have seen first hand and been subjected to appalling behaviour that would never be tolerated in a workplace," she said.
Ms Tauru also spoke of unease as tensions simmered in the chamber.
"I think you can feel the intensity in this room and it's not nice," Ms Tauru said during one debate. "Every single week I feel this. It is very, very uncomfortable."