Hepburn Shire CEO Kaylene Conrick resigned at a confidential council meeting on Tuesday night. The resignation comes less than three weeks after Hepburn Shire management was slammed in a Victorian Auditor-General's report.
-Read Hepburn Shire management slammed in report
On Wednesday she released this statement.
“It is with considerable sadness that I have decided to resign my position as Chief Executive Officer of the Hepburn Shire Council, and will be moving on to pursue other opportunities. My resignation was ratified at a Special Meeting of Council yesterday afternoon, and my last day in the office will be Friday, 11 November.
My decision to resign was not made easily. However, in weighing up what needed to be achieved when I was appointed in August 2008, and looking at where we are today and what needs to be done into the future, I thought it was a good time for me to move on and let a new CEO consolidate all the significant steps we have taken over the last three years.
When I was appointed just over three years ago, I was brought into the role to oversee significant change to the organisation. In fact, I was appointed by the then Council with a clear mandate.
Firstly, I needed to have a good look at the management structure and team, and restructure the organisation so we had strong talent and a solid culture.
Secondly, the organisation and the work of our staff was being hampered by antiquated systems that were stifling our ability to achieve cost-efficiencies and productivity improvements. We clearly needed improvements in our internal systems.
Thirdly, we needed to forge stronger links with our community and stakeholders, and take a more inclusive approach to community engagement. And finally, I needed to lay the foundations to get the organisation into a stronger financial position.
When I reflect on what’s been achieved over the last three years, I believe the organisation has made tremendous progress.
So with all that’s been achieved over this period, and reflecting on what I was appointed to deliver, I thought collectively we’ve done a great job but it’s now time for me to move on and let someone else take the organisation through its next chapter.
It has been a real pleasure and privilege to work with the staff, Council and people of Hepburn Shire, and I’m very proud of the significant steps that have been taken to make our Shire a better place to live, work and play for our community.
And while my decision to resign was difficult, I will depart in the knowledge that the fundamental foundations for a stronger and more sustainable organisation are now in place.”
Earlier today, Hepburn Shire mayor, Rod May, released a statement on the resignation of CEO Kaylene Conrick.
“On behalf of the Councillors of Hepburn Shire Council, I wish to advise that at a Special Meeting of Council yesterday afternoon, we have regrettably accepted the resignation of our CEO, Kaylene Conrick. The resignation will be effective from Friday, 11 November.
Kaylene commenced with Council in August 2008 and since that time has made a considerable contribution to Hepburn Shire. In making her appointment, the then Council charged Kaylene with the considerable responsibility to make significant changes to the manner in which the organisation was running.
Kaylene has been able to oversee significant change including restructuring the organisation so we have strong talent and a solid culture. We now have the necessary tools and technology to operate and manage a modern organisation, and she has led progressive steps to consolidate Council’s financial position. When Kaylene was appointed, Council was running a budget deficit. We are now in surplus.
Kaylene was also instrumental in securing significant funds for a number of major projects for the Shire including the $2.2 million secured from the Federal Government for the Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve and the $2.7 million from the Federal Government to realise our community’s dream to redevelop the Clunes Museum at a total cost of $3.4 million.
Kaylene advised Council that after overseeing the many changes and initiatives that were asked of her at the time of her appointment, she now wished to pursue other opportunities.
Council wishes Kaylene all the very best for her future endeavours, and thanks her most sincerely for her contribution and commitment to the Council and community of Hepburn Shire over the last three years.”
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