Smith takes helm at Yarriambiack

Tammy Smith is officially Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive.

Councillors announced her four-year appointment at an April meeting.

Ms Smith takes the helm after serving in an acting chief-executive role with the council since January.

Ms Smith has extensive leadership experience, in human-resource and business-strategy management in Yarriambiack and West Wimmera shire councils, and in finance and governance with Gwmwater.

Her tenure at Yarriambiack council has corresponded with two Municipal Association Victorian technology awards.

She also sits on the MAV Technology executive committee and advisory group, Rural Councils Victoria committee, Gateway BEET Board and is a non-executive board member with Grampians Community Health.

She has replaced Jessie Holmes, who resigned from the chief executive role in December.

The council appointed Ms Smith after assessing a 28-strong pool of applicants.

Yarriambiack Mayor Kylie Zanker said the position attracted a ‘very’ high calibre of applicants with diverse skills and knowledge from a variety of backgrounds.

“After a comprehensive interview process, it was a unanimous decision to offer the position to Tammy Smith,” she said.

“Tammy has been doing a fantastic job. Her qualifications in accounting and human-resource management, as well as her extensive experience in local government and her time at Gwmwater, has provided her with a well-rounded capability to lead our organisation through this next exciting phase.”

Ms Smith said she was excited to have the opportunity to continue working with the council.

“We have undertaken a significant transformation program over the last three years, and I am looking forward to continuing the journey of reviewing, refining and embedding our practices,” she said.