Trailblazer Murphy signs off
Senior officer Angela Murphy will part company with Horsham Rural City Council strongly believing the municipality is well placed to continue to grow and prosper.
Ms Murphy, who will finish her stint with the council in late April, said the municipality’s potential development was broad – covering the arts and culture, an emerging mining sector, agricultural value-adding, renewable energy and food and accommodation.
“In Horsham we are competing for new residents and employees and need to make sure we are a modern, contemporary city and there are many opportunities to do this,” she said.
“What this means is that everyone, from the mayor to the average person walking in the street, should try to be engaged in the aspects of life that make this city and district attractive for people to not only visit, but in which to live.
“It’s really up to everyone to be a contributor in allowing Horsham to reach its potential.”
Ms Murphy, the council’s development services director, resigned from her position after 35 years working in local government.
She will finish her role as the Horsham council’s development services director to spend more time with her husband Alister Castle and daughter Sarah, and pursue other interests.
“I’ve decided I need a break and need to get some time back for me and my family. It’s been a big decision but I’ve come to the conclusion it’s time to do something different,” she said.
Ms Murphy represents an example of an ideal many councils across the region work to promote as part of development plans.
She grew up in the Wimmera, at Angip in Warracknabeal district, and left to gain qualifications and experience before returning to the region.
“Everyone knows Horsham and the Wimmera generally are great places to bring up a family,” she said.
After leaving school she studied for her undergraduate degree in business at Ballarat College of Advanced Education, now Federation University, and then took up roles with Corio, City of Stawell and was the first chief executive of Hindmarsh council.
She then worked with Central Goldfields council in Maryborough before joining Horsham Rural City Council in 2001.
Ms Murphy was a trailblazer as the first female senior officer on a Horsham council and was also the first woman in other major municipal roles.
“I feel proud in being able to say that, and if I can provide any motivation for other women to pursue careers in local government then I’m happy with that too,” she said.
“I am proud to have been able to bring a different perspective to the table. We should all continue to encourage and support women to take leadership roles.”
Ms Murphy was Horsham community services director before taking on the development services role and rates Horsham Town Hall redevelopment as one of her most profound periods in local government.
“It showed that it can sometimes take 10 years from planning to getting something operational. My approach is having passion for a project, being patient and persevering. It is about investing time, resources and money to making it happen,” she said.
“The social, economic and education outcomes and the way the community has embraced the facility and program involving the town hall have been amazing.
“It has transformed Horsham. The reaction of the public to the recent 60 Years of Wimmera Rock and how people responded to the use of the facility was quite galvanising.”
Ms Murphy said she considered her role working on developing Horsham
Aquatic Centre and a Horsham North Community Renewal Project that provided the catalyst for a Kalkee Road Children’s Hub, as also significant.
Apart from local government, Ms Murphy has also dedicated volunteer time to Wimmera Health Care Group as a board member and chair and was part of the team that oversaw Wimmera Cancer Centre’s development.
She said her family had provided her with invaluable support throughout her career.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do my job without the support of Alister who has been alongside me all the way through,” she said.