A Message From Mayor Bob Sanders
Dr Tim Harrison has now left the building after leading Ararat Rural City Council through a period of significant change, and I want to sincerely thank him for his service and wish him every happiness in retirement.
When Tim commenced as CEO, Council was in a very different position. It was effectively under administration, facing considerable challenges and needing strong leadership to restore confidence, improve governance and put the organisation on a more secure footing.
Over the past several years, Tim has done exactly that. He has led a significant turnaround in the way Council operates, the way it plans for the future and the way it manages its finances. He has never lost sight of the fact that Council exists to serve the people of Ararat Rural City.
Tim has made some bold decisions during his time here. Some have been popular, and some less so, but they have been made with the best interests of our municipality at heart. Leading a regional council is not always straightforward. There are difficult decisions to make, competing priorities to balance and limited resources to stretch across a large and diverse rural community.
What has always been clear to me is that Tim has approached that responsibility with commitment, intelligence and a genuine desire to leave Ararat Rural City in a better place than he found it.
He has led Council staff through major organisational change, encouraged a leaner and more effective leadership structure, strengthened our financial position and helped put important projects, advocacy and planning work on a more solid foundation. The healthy budget surplus Council now enjoys is one practical sign of the disciplined approach he has brought to the role.
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Tim. He has been a steady presence, a thoughtful adviser and someone who has been prepared to make the hard calls when they were needed. His contribution has been substantial, and I know many current and future projects across our municipality will benefit from the groundwork he has put in place.
On behalf of Council, I thank Tim for his leadership, professionalism and service to our community. I hope retirement brings him the chance to slow down a little, enjoy a few well-earned sleep-ins and spend plenty of time in the garden. I understand there will be no shortage of gardening jobs waiting for him.
Tim leaves behind a firm legacy for our new CEO, Phuong Au, to build upon. Phuong begins her role with a strong foundation, an experienced team and a Council that is in a far better position than it was only a few years ago.
I am confident she will bring her own steady, sensible leadership to the role as we continue delivering services, maintaining infrastructure, supporting our communities and planning for the future.
We thank Dr Tim Harrison for all he has done for Ararat Rural City, and we wish him and his family a long, happy and well-deserved retirement.
