Sue Wilkinson resigns to take up CEO post at Darebin
July 25, 2017
Colac Otway Shire Council’s Chief Executive Officer Sue Wilkinson has announced her resignation as she prepares to take up the top job at the rapidly growing City of Darebin in Melbourne’s suburban north.
Ms Wilkinson will leave Colac Otway after three years at the helm, to lead more than 1200 staff at Darebin servicing a population of more than 150,000 people.
Mayor Chris Potter said Ms Wilkinson’s appointment at one of the fastest growing and most ethnically diverse local government areas in Victoria was a testament to the way she operated as a leader.
“Three years ago Sue came to Colac Otway as a first-time CEO and she’s about to take the reins at a major metropolitan Council, which speaks volumes about the calibre of leader that she is,” Cr Potter said.
Cr Potter said Ms Wilkinson had demonstrated extraordinary skills in establishing partnerships from the political to the grassroots level during her time at Colac Otway.
He said Ms Wilkinson’s mind for strategy and political advocacy in particular had helped put the shire in a strong position.
“Sue’s advocacy to higher levels of government was pivotal in securing almost $6 million for a drainage system in Wye River and Separation Creek following the Christmas Day bushfires,” he said.
“She is highly regarded throughout the region for the work she did during the bushfire and her subsequent support for our coastal community during its recovery.
“Sue has also been a major player in generating discussion about the future of the Great Ocean Road and the need for a more integrated approach to its management.”
Ms Wilkinson built a strong organisational culture of continuous improvement during her time at Colac Otway, which resulted in significant cuts to operating costs through changes to business practices.
Cr Potter thanked Ms Wilkinson for the dedicated service she’d provided to the organisation and the community, highlighting the time she’d invested to help the new Council come together as a high performing team.
“Sue has been an amazing support to our new Councillors and in particular to me as a first-time Mayor,” he said.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the contribution she’s made to our shire and wish her the very best for her new role at Darebin.”
Ms Wilkinson’s last day with Council will be on September 1. Cr Potter said the process for the recruitment of a new CEO would be determined shortly.
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