CEO and Executive

Overview

Council has four divisions reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Rollinson. The divisions are Community Wellbeing; Infrastructure and Development; Economic Development; and Corporate Services. Each of these divisions is made up of individual units, each led by a senior officer. The Chief Executive Officer is directly accountable to the Mayor and Councillors, who are elected by Gannawarra Shire ratepayers.

For more information about the Gannawarra Shire Council's organisational structure, please see the image below. To download a PDF of our organisational structure, please click on the image below:

Chief Executive Officer - Geoff Rollinson

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Council's former Director Infrastructure and Development, Geoff Rollinson was appointed Chief Executive Officer on 21 December 2022.

Geoff's earliest qualifications and experience are in agriculture. He gained extensive experience and knowledge in Local Government when working with both the former Borough and Shire of Kerang and then the Gannawarra Shire upon amalgamation in 1995. He has a Diploma of Civil Engineering and held the positions of Works Engineer and Manager of Operational Services with Gannawarra Shire from 1995 until he started in the Director Infrastructure and Development in 2011.

Areas of responsibility: Council Planning and Performance; Councillor Support

 

Director Corporate Services - Amanda Wilson

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Council's Director Corporate Services, Amanda Wilson started with Gannawarra Shire Council on 27 November 2023.

The former Loddon Shire Council Director Corporate Services has extensive experience in accounting, business, human resources and occupational health and safety.

Areas of responsibility: Finance and Budget; Audit; Rating and Valuation; Information Communication Technology; Governance and Risk; Human Resource Management; Records Management; Customer Service; Emergency Management.

 

Director Infrastructure and Development - Wade Williams

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A career professional in the Civil and Built environment with over eight years of professional experience managing complex projects and teams in the civil industry, Wade joined Gannawarra Shire Council in 2018, working and leading the Engineering team as the Manager of Projects & Design.

Wade commenced in the role of Acting Director Infrastructure & Development in early 2023, and was appointed Director Infrastructure and Development in September 2023.

Wade holds a Diploma of Building Surveying, Professional Certificate in Infrastructure Financial Management, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Project Management.

Areas of responsibility: Major Projects; Operational Services; Engineering; Waste Management; Landfill and Transfer Stations; Local Laws; Flood and Fire Management; Building; Planning; Aquatic Facilities; Recreation.

 

Director Community Wellbeing - Paul Fernee

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Appointed to the Director Community Wellbeing role in September 2023, Paul was Acting Director Community Wellbeing at Gannawarra Shire Council from July 2022 after commencing with Council in late 2019 as Manager Community Engagement.

Paul’s career in Local Government has mostly been spent in rural Victorian communities, leading a variety of services including Infrastructure, Community Development and Sport and Recreation.

Paul has a strong focus on personal and professional development having achieved a Master of Business (Sport Management); Bachelor of Exercise Science; and a Graduate Diploma in Education.

Areas of responsibility: Maternal Child Health; Community Health; Children and Youth Services; Immunisation; Libraries; Arts & Culture; Community Sustainability; Environmental Health; Community Engagement and Communications.

Executive Manager Economic Development - Roger Griffiths

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Roger has over 30 years of experience working in the development sector, specialising in agricultural projects, residential and industrial developments, energy and mining and tourism related projects.

Roger has worked with Gannawarra Shire Council for the past 21 years, and facilitated the development of the Gannawarra Solar Farm - the largest integrated solar and battery facility in Australia when it was constructed.

Roger has initiated much of the strategic focus for the Gannawarra Shire, resulting in a diverse and growing agricultural sector thanks to medicinal cannabis, free range egg farms and viticulture projects. He has guided the growth of Kerang’s Tate Drive Industrial Estate and developed a prolific branding profile for the Gannawarra. Under his watch the economy has undergone significant diversity and resulting in population growth.

Roger has interests in outdoor nature based activities, boating, music and wine making and believes in 10 years the Gannawarra will be one of the strongest rural councils in Victoria.

Areas of responsibility: Economic Development.