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Statement from the Mayor: CEO Resignation

Kerryn Ellis Published Wednesday, 04th December 2024

This morning, South Gippsland Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Kerryn Ellis, tendered her resignation which was, with sadness, accepted.

During her five years at Council, Kerryn has transformed the organisation, leading it out of a difficult period - mired in uncertainty - and providing a clear direction built on shared values and a commitment to community.

Kerryn started her employment at South Gippsland Shire Council in March 2020 which coincided with the beginning of COVID lockdowns. Despite this unconventional beginning, and the difficulties that came with it, Kerryn was determined to make changes at Council to give the incoming Councillors the greatest chance of success.

Together, with the support of Councillors, Kerryn brought unity and integrity back to the Council Chamber. Differences of opinion were encouraged through respectful discussions, which in turn, helped to promote the sharing of ideas.

As someone who was new to the workings of local government before being elected, I will always be appreciative of how well Kerryn communicated to myself, and my colleagues, just what it means to be a Councillor and how it's not just a job, but an opportunity to positively shape the future direction of our community.

There have been many achievements over the past five years that are testament to Kerryn's confident and accomplished leadership, but here are just a few highlights:

  • Council has achieved award success, winning state-wide awards for Planning Excellence and Leadership in Climate Adaptation and Resilience and a LGPro Specialist Award for the Shaping South Gippsland community engagement project.
  • Kerryn was recognised as one of the top 50 public sector women in 2021 by the IPAA, Victoria's peak public purpose sector professional association.
  • South Gippsland Shire Council now has a very low 13.74 per cent staff turnover rate.
  • Kerryn was one of only four local government leaders nationally invited to speak at an event centred around workforce retention in local government.
  • Council has delivered impressively large capital works programs over the past five years and attracted millions in grant funding to minimise the cost for ratepayers.
  • Council has had significant advocacy success, most recently in the areas of Coastal Resilience, Emergency Management, Increasing Funding for Rural Roads and Early Years Infrastructure.
  • Council received national recognition for its Councillor Transition Program.

Equally impressive has been Kerryn's work within the organisation where she has worked tirelessly to rebuild staff morale and establish a culture where people are, once again, proud to say where they work.

The shoes Kerryn leaves are large and sparkly, and will be exceptionally hard to fill, but she is departing knowing that she leaves behind her an organisation with a bright and positive future.

All Councillors have very much enjoyed Kerryn's company during her time at Council, and it is on behalf of all of us, that I would like to thank Kerryn for all of her hard work and wish her every success for her next adventure.

- Cr John Schelling, Mayor South Gippsland Shire Council.