News: New CEO appointed
Council President Barb Shaw weclomes the new CEO Marion Smith.
Posted: Friday, 19 February 2016
Barkly
Regional Council (BRC) President Barb Shaw announced this week that Marion
Smith has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer for the council.
Ms
Smith, who is scheduled to take up her post in mid March, has been with the
Roper Gulf Regional Council as Director Communities Services, covering
maternity leave for seven months.
Previously,
she was Group Manager for Thames-Coromandel District Council in New Zealand for
three years and has worked in local government for the last 20 years.
In
announcing the appointment, President Shaw said: “Marion has a unique set of
skills, experience and personal attributes ideally suited to BRC at this time.
“She is
familiar with the Northern Territory and offers strong and steady leadership in
a time where there has been much upheaval.
“I am
also grateful to Peter Holt and Allan McGill for their work as interim CEOs.
Both brought extensive experience and skill from the local government sector
and Marion will bring a fresh insight into the business of council.”
Ms
Smith said she was excited by the opportunity to lead BRC. “I am honoured by
the appointment and will do my utmost to meet the challenges and expectations
associated with this role.
“I have
watched this council for a number of years. I came out to the Northern
Territory to start my PhD as I had a number of questions about remote living,
amalgamations, efficiency and democracy. So when the opportunity came up at
Roper Gulf I put my hand up, and since then have changed my questions. I hope
to be a catalyst and conduit between council and the community to create new
opportunities.
‘It is
a privilege to be here this week for the council’s strategic planning meeting.
This gives me a preview into the sort of things concerning everyone before I
come on board. I hope councillors and staff find me useful as a resource,
taking their dreams to an operational level to make it happen.”