East Gippsland Shire Council has appointed Fiona Weigall as its Chief Executive Officer.

Council made the unanimous decision to appoint Ms Weigall on a five-year contract at a meeting this afternoon after a robust, nationwide search. She will start in the position on Monday, April 8.

Mayor Cr Tom Crook said the CEO recruitment process reflected the critical leadership role the position holds in the East Gippsland community and working with various regional stakeholders and government.

“The search for our new CEO – a decision Council has not taken lightly – resulted in Council considering a very strong pool ofcandidates. It has resulted in home-grown East Gippsland talent rising to the top, and that is an excellent endorsement of what we can achieve here in East Gippsland,” Cr Crook said.

“Fiona is the organisation’s first female leader, and it is comforting to know that the skills of our own workforce match those across Australia. This appointment recognises the strength in our own workforce and our ability to grow our own.

“She has an authentic understanding of living, working and raising a family in East Gippsland.”

Council recruited for a CEO who would drive community engagement and environmental sustainability, enable a high-performing and customer centric culture, and foster the conditions for long term financial sustainability and a thriving regional economy.

“In Fiona, we have that in our new CEO,” Cr Crook said.

“Fiona also has the proven experience in leading a high performing and customer centric culture to ensure the organisation can meet the future needs of the community. This is an important appointment for the organisation and community, and Council wishes Fiona every success in continuing to build on the great work happening in East Gippsland.”

Ms Weigall said she was humbled by the appointment, and thanked Council for the opportunity.

“I consider myself an East Gippslander and being able to lead a great organisation in a place I call home excites me,” Ms Weigall said.

Having relocated here in 2009, Fiona first worked with a volunteer board headed by the late Richard Rijs to establish East Gippsland Marketing. She joined Council in 2011, initially as Manager Economic Development and Major Projects and since then have held a range of other managerial roles in Council including Strategic Planning and Capital Projects. In 2019 Fiona was appointed as General Manager Assets and Environment where she was responsible for an annual budget of over $150 million, an asset portfolio valued at over $1.2 billion and over half of Council’s workforce.

Fiona stepped into the role of Acting CEO in January 2024.

In addition to her broad experience, Fiona holds a Masters in Business Administration and was recognised as one of the Victorian Public Sector’s Top 50 Women in Leadership in 2021.

“I am people focused and have built strong relationships throughout the organisation and the East Gippsland community,” Fiona said.

“My priorities will be on working with the Council and the 600 people that work for the organisation to deliver the key priorities of our community as detailed in the Council Plan.

“I am keen to continue to improve our engagement with our communities and key stakeholders. Council is a great vehicle for the delivery of communities’ needs and aspirations for their place.”

Fiona said she was looking forward to continuing to work with the current Council in the last year of its four-year term, the forthcoming election and helping a new Council establish itself quickly to support the community.

“Working with Council and officers, I will continue the strong focus on delivering Council services and projects within budget, and of course making sure the voice of East Gippsland is heard.”