Flinders Shire Council CEO Daryl Buckingham has been selected to head up Tenterfield Shire Counci, to fill the void left by the departure of Terry Dodds at the end of last year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors picked Mr Buckingham from a field of 24 candidates in what they described as a very competitive recruitment process involving rigorous assessments and interviews, saying it was a unanimous decision.
"There was a very good mix of representation from government, local government and the private sector," council said in a statement, "one candidate from Western Australia, nine from Queensland, three from Victoria, one from Fiji, and 10 from NSW."
Eight were selected for Zoom interviews before councillors narrows the list to four, interviewing them in person on June 8.
Mr Buckingham was selected and after negotiations on contract terms and conditions accepted the role. He and his wife Amanda will be moving from the central Queensland shire to Tenterfield to take up the role in July.
He has been the CEO at Flinders since early 2019, and had prior roles as CEO of the Mildura Regional Development Corporation, Senior Manager Innovation and Marketing with the City of Playford in South Australia, General Manager of General Trades, Marketing Advisor to Coal Services, National Sales and Marketing Manager of Ultimate Off Road Campers, Marketing and Communications Manager at Turnbull Lawyers and CEO of Blue Mountains Tourism.
Mr Buckingham has an Advanced Diploma in Management from the University of Ballarat in 2005.
He has been appointed on a five year performance based contract and will enter into a performance agreement within three months of commencing in the role.
"We are delighted we have been able to attract someone of the calibre of Daryl Buckingham to be our Chief Executive Officer," Mayor Peter Petty said.
"He brings a very strong tourism, marketing, and economic development focus and with the many exciting projects on our agenda in future years he is the right person for our times.
"It's a very busy time ahead, with a new councillor group also to be elected in September. Working in partnership with the new CEO I am sure the new councillors will bring a very strong focus on improving the services we deliver to the Tenterfield community and I am also sure the staff will get behind Daryl as the new CEO in helping to advance our beautiful area.
"With Daryl's appointment being unanimous amongst my fellow councillors we are all united in our support and encouragement of Daryl in leading the next phase of our exciting future.
Cr Petty said the Buckinghams are keen to live in the shire and make it their home. They enjoy sailing and will take time out occasionally to visit the coast.
"What a wonderful opportunity the councillors have given me to move to this magnificent region and to lead the staff and continue to build on the great work that I can see has been achieved over many years," Mr Buckingham said.
"My first step will be to get out and about and meet every member of the staff team. I have been very impressed with the reports I have read about the Voice Project survey results - and how well the organisation is performing.
"I want to establish a very strong partnership across the departments, and I will be visiting the works staff as a first priority.
"I want to ensure staff have the resources to do their job effectively and to support their professional goals, aspirations and growth.
"With my past background in tourism and economic development I am keen to get out and understand the opportunities we have to grow jobs and attract business to our shire, to bring jobs for our youth in particular.
"I am a good listener and I want to hear what the council can improve to build a better shire."
