Skin cancer shock for History Trust of SA chief Greg Mackie, who will quit role next year

One of South Australia’s most senior public servants has revealed he is fighting cancer – and announced plans to quit his government role.

History Trust of South Australia’s chief executive officer, Greg Mackie, is fighting cancer. Picture: File

One of South Australia’s most senior public servants is fighting skin cancer and, in an unrelated move, will quit his state government role.

In a shock announcement, History Trust of South Australia’s chief executive officer, Greg Mackie, 65, has revealed he recently had successful surgery to remove a melanoma.

In a note to staff this week, the long-term senior public servant, local politician, arts administrator and former book seller said: “There is no suggestion that the cancer has spread. Big ‘phew’ from me.”

In his message, released on Thursday, Mr Mackie said he would leave his role after almost 10 years.

“There comes a point later in everyone’s journey when we start to think about time for other things,” he said.

“I have decided that midway through next year I will relinquish my role as CEO with the History Trust.”

It is understood the two developments are unrelated.

The History Trust operates the Migration, National Motor and South Australian Maritime museums along with The Centre of Democracy with SA’s State Library.

But the agency has yet to secure taxpayer funding for an Adelaide Museum of South Australia’s History.

Greg Mackie said in a note to staff that he would leave his role after almost 10 years. Picture: File

Mr Mackie, a former Arts SA chief who was also a Lord Mayoral aspirant, said he “hope(d) to remain useful beyond mid-2025”.

“For the History Trust to be future-ready, we need to significantly grow our earned income so that we can further this mission,” he said.

“Once I stand down as CEO, I intend to remain a good friend of the History Trust, and a supporter to our increasingly diverse and talented team.

“The major reform to our education programs is paying dividends. And our digital transformation journey is now hitting its stride.

“With exciting new understandings about our brand and value propositions, our future prospects have never looked stronger.”

Mr Mackie, who quit as an Adelaide City councillor in 2022 after first being elected to the council in 2000 and unsuccessfully running for lord mayor in 2003, said he had his partner of 34 years Jonathan planned to spent time at their farm.

“For the last 30 years, in addition to productive and ‘successful’ working lives, Jonathan and I have been reforesting a 43 acre section of what was once a farming property at Silverton, near Cape Jervis,” he said.

“It is a special place and I am keen to spend more time there.”

Chair of Trustees, Elizabeth Ho, paid tribute to Mr Mackie, who has held various senior roles within the Department of Premier and Cabinet, SA Health and Botanic Gardens who also operated Hindley St book store Imprints for almost 20 years.

“Greg’s commitment to creatively building the agenda and profile of the History Trust of SA over the past decade has been exemplary,” she said.

“He will leave knowing that he has shaped a successful future for the whole organisation and that is the most important accolade any Chief Executive can receive.”