Council CEO to finish in role on 21 December 2022

Published on 02 December 2022

Gannawarra Shire Council Chief Executive Officer, Tom O’Reilly will finish in the role on Wednesday, 21 December almost five years to the day he was appointed to the role.

Appointed to the CEO role on 20 December 2017, Mr O’Reilly will finish in the role after Councillors decided in July 2022 to test the open market and advertise the role.

“Council thanks Tom for his passionate commitment to the Gannawarra, which the community has benefited from since he joined Council in March 2016 as its Director Corporate Services,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“The Gannawarra has benefited from Tom’s leadership gained through previous roles in the local government and private sectors, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

During his time as Chief Executive Officer, Mr O’Reilly oversaw the day to day management of Council’s operations in accordance to the Gannawarra Shire Council Plan 2017-2021 and Growing Gannawarra – 2021-2025 Council Plan.

“During the past five years Tom has been instrumental in overseeing the Gannawarra’s transformation and advocating for the area to be a leader for alternative and innovative agricultural projects, renewable energy initiatives and nature based tourism,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“The announcement of the construction of KerangLink is undoubtedly one of the biggest projects to be undertaken in our shire, which has been largely driven by Tom. His advocacy around this project has been outstanding.

“The possibility of generating extra rate revenue to support our communities and key services via Payment in Lieu of Rates (PiLoR) from current and future renewable energy projects is real thanks to Tom’s vision and advocacy.”

Mr O’Reilly’s tenure as CEO coincided with Council completing a record number of capital works projects, supported by some of the largest State and Federal government capital project grants provided in the municipality’s history.

“Thanks to Tom’s efforts to build strong relationships with our State and Federal elected colleagues, projects such as CBD and waterfront developments at Cohuna, Kerang, Koondrook and Kangaroo Lake, construction of the Gannawarra’s first three all abilities play spaces, creating Koondrook Retreat and the future development of The Glasshouse @ The Gannawarra have been able to proceed,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Many of these projects were completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is a credit to Tom’s guiding relationship with his directors, managers and staff.

“All of this has also been achieved at a time of strong financial stability, with Council recording consecutive underlying surpluses during Tom’s time as CEO.”

Another of Council’s key achievements during Mr O’Reilly’s time as CEO has been the integration of National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services into Council’s Community Care program.

“Council is proud to be the only Victorian rural Council to be a registered NDIS provider, which is helping more than 100 people remain connected to the community by receiving services locally,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Tom has been a strong advocate for this service, especially the benefits it is providing those receiving services and employment opportunities it has opened up since January 2019.”

Many of Council’s staff, initiatives and projects has also been recognised at State and National awards during Mr O’Reilly’s time as CEO.

“Tom has ensured the Gannawarra’s young achievers, support of environmental sustainability, the creative community, nature-based tourism initiatives and our transformational projects have been considered for peer-based awards presented annually,” Mayor Gillingham said.

“Highlights have included the 2018 Premier’s Sustainability Award for Council’s support of large-scale renewable energy investment in the municipality, the 2018 Arts Animates Award at the National Awards for Local Government for our creative program and numerous awards or high commendations at the LGPro Awards for Excellence, including winning the Outstanding Small Rural Council Initiative Award at this year’s event. 

“Tom is also highly regarded among his peers, especially with members of peak local government bodies such as LGPro and Local Government Financial Professionals, as well as our regional municipal advocacy groups, being the Murray River Group of Councils and Loddon Campaspe Group of Councils. 

“My fellow Councillors and I thank Tom for his dedication to the Gannawarra and wish him all the best for the future.”