New chief unveiled

Naracoorte Lucindale Council has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kelly Westell.

The appointment was confirmed just before Christmas after council ratified the recommendation unanimously at its December 17 meeting.

Kelly has extensive leadership experience through her current position of Chief Executive Officer at Northern Areas Council, and with other more recent senior management roles at Wakefield Regional Council, and SA Water.

Her role at Naracoorte Lucindale will commence on March 31, and Kelly along with her husband Paul, are looking forward to relocating from Clare to live in the region.

Naracoorte Lucindale Council Mayor Patrick Ross said council conducted an extensive national recruitment program and were fortunate to attract an extremely high calibre of applicants with Kelly being the standout candidate for our selection panel and our council members.

“For us, the key attributes that made Kelly the standout candidate was her blend of operational knowledge and strategic direction, strong advocacy and engagement approach, and a clear understanding of the challenges of a regional council,” Mayor Ross said.

The selection panel consisting of Mayor Patrick Ross and councillors Tom Dennis and Darren Turner were united in their recommendation to council that Kelly Westell would be a highly effective CEO, who would settle into the role quickly by engaging internal and external stakeholders through her inclusive style of calm and effective management.

“We at council are looking forward to welcoming her to our region and benefiting from the effective stewardship of her CEO appointment,” Mayor Ross said.