A City of Greater Bendigo director has resigned to take on a new role in a Melbourne council.
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The city’s chief executive officer Craig Niemann said today he had accepted the resignation of community wellbeing director Pauline Gordon.
Ms Gordon will leave Bendigo to take on the role of community and leisure general manager at Nillumbik Shire Council, located in Greensborough.
The shire encompasses Melbourne’s northern fringes and rural outskirts.
Ms Gordon said had spent her career working in the regional sector and the Nillumbik shire offered the best of both worlds as her family members had moved to Melbourne and yet the shire was 90 per cent rural.
“This is about personal growth and it is exciting to move on to a new challenge after five years with the Bendigo council – in addition to the 10 years last time,” she said.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have worked with such a passionate team and at a time of increasing community engagement.
“I’d also like to thank you to Craig, whose leadership really does support you and help maximise your potential.”
Ms Gordon said Bendigo council had faced challenges over recent years but said that was the challenge and the privilege of working in local government.
“Everyone has the right to their opinions, that’s the how democracy works, and the beauty of working in local government is you work with the whole spectrum of perspectives,” she said.
“I still wake up with a smile on my face everyday.”
Ms Gordon served the city for five years, having previously worked at the City of Bendigo and City of Greater Bendigo in the 1980s and 1990s, and also at the Sunshine Coast Regional Council in Queensland.
Mr Niemann thanked Ms Gordon for her service to the community and the organisation.
“It is with a heavy heart that we say farewell to Pauline,” the CEO said.
“She has been a wonderful asset to the city and Nillumbik Shire’s executive team will receive a creative, vibrant and energetic new colleague in Pauline.
“Pauline has valuable skills in sport and recreation, social planning and community development, customer service, event management and project development, and will be a wonderful leader in her new organisation.
“Pauline has a great passion for Bendigo and its people, and has helped plan and deliver valuable recreation projects for the community, including the redevelopment of Canterbury Park, the Queen Elizabeth Oval and Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
“She is also a visionary and has been able to anticipate what our community will need, such as the Greater Bendigo Aquatic and Wellbeing Centre, which was a key project outlined in the 2010 Aquatic Strategy that is now coming to fruition, and the FunLoong play space in the Hargreaves Mall that brings great joy to all who use it.
“Bendigo is gradually shifting to a more culturally diverse community and Pauline has worked hard to ensure our city is a welcoming and inclusive place for all residents and visitors.
“Customer Service is also important to Pauline and she has implemented procedures that aim to ensure our customers have a positive experience when engaging with the organisation.
“Her time with the city has not been without its challenges and Pauline has led the organisation through a number of difficult decisions, including the Home and Community Care and Early Years service reviews.
“Pauline has consistently kept the ‘bigger picture’ in mind and encouraged the organisation to think long term about its business and how it can best serve the community in the future.
“Her leadership resulted in the council making good decisions for the community and the organisation, even though they were very hard matters to consider.
“I thank Pauline for all she has done and wish her the very best as she embraces this new opportunity with Nillumbik Shire.”
Ms Gordon’s last day with the city will be Friday May 13.
