Mildura Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Sarah Philpott has announced she intends to resign from her role to return to her home city of Mt Gambier in South Australia.
Ms Philpott has accepted the Chief Executive Officer position at the City of Mt Gambier, the same Council at which she started her local government career.
"I grew up in Mt Gambier, my first experience in local government was in Mt Gambier, and all of my family still live there," she said.
"When the opportunity came up for a similarly rewarding and challenging opportunity to the position I've held here in Mildura for the past 18 months, but in my home town, it was simply too good an opportunity to ignore."
Mildura Mayor Jason Modica highlighted the contribution Ms Philpott has made to the Sunraysia and Mallee region during her time as Council's Chief Executive Officer.
"Sarah has been an incredibly dedicated, strong and respected leader of both our organisation and our community," Cr Modica said.
"She's worked tirelessly throughout her time with us, providing clear, considered and effective leadership through both the challenging times and the good times.
"In a relatively short period of time Sarah has created strong and productive relationships with other key leaders in our community, a legacy which will put us in good stead in the months and years ahead."
Ms Philpott said she was grateful for the opportunity to have worked with two Councils during her time in Mildura.
"It's been a privilege to have worked with two groups of Councillors and I'd like to thank them publicly for their support throughout my time here," she said.
"I'd also like to thank our hard-working Council staff who have done, and continue to do, amazing things for our community."
Ms Philpott will remain at Council until late May, allowing time for interim CEO arrangements to be put in place, and the recruitment process for a new CEO to begin, all of which will be announced in coming weeks.
