‘I’ve had a blast’: Senior manager looks back at remarkable 39-year career

Rob Huth started out at Gladstone Regional Council in 1986 as a “trained chippy” on a 12-month contract and ended up rising to its highest positions.

Rob Huth at his last council meeting.

Little did Rob Huth know that what started as a 12-month contract as a “trained chippy” with Gladstone Regional Council in 1986 would evolve into a distinguished career which took him to the organisations’ highest management positions.

“I’ve had a blast,” is how Rob described his career at last week’s council meeting as he was honoured for four decades of work.

“I took up a gig with council for 12 months and then that got extended for 39 years,” the retiring General Manager of Customer Solutions said.

“I wouldn’t have thought that (was possible back in 1985) when I was working on the tools as a chippy.”

Rob Huth promotes safer bike riding with Cr Glenn Churchill.

Mayor Matt Burnett ran through Rob’s work record which included stints as Manager of Construction Projects and Manager of Roads Program Delivery all the way up to Acting CEO.

“Later in his years of appointment, he began dipping his toes into more senior roles including acting general manager of operations but Rob finally ended up where he is has been for the last five years, which is the General Manager of Customer Solutions,” Cr Burnett said.

“Rob’s commitment hasn’t stopped there, though he continued to put his hand up for secondments in the executive leadership team, even taking on the role of acting CEO.

“While Rob’s wealth of knowledge and experience will be sorely missed, we welcome Kimberley Wilson into the role with open arms and look forward to supporting her as she settles into the new role at Gladstone Regional Council.

Rob Huth at a River Road project. Former Deputy PM John Anderson and Hinkler MP Paul Neville are in the group photo.

“Rob, I think the role of General Manager of Customer Solutions is probably the most fitting for yourself because it sums up your work ethic over the past 40 years - working to deliver the best possible solutions for the customer, which is ultimately our community.”

Rob said he loved the customer service space and he recommended council as a rewarding career path for anyone thinking about changing jobs or looking for an opportunity.

He described council as a continual learning experience.

“I’ve worked with some terrific people over the years,” he said.

“Many have mentored me, many I’ve learnt from and many I’ve learned of what not to do because it wasn’t the right thing to do. So that’s been equally rewarding too.”

Rob Huth at a Cuppa with Our Councillors at Agnes Water.

He enjoyed working on numerous big-ticket projects and looked back on the Millennium Esplanade at Tannum Sands as an example of that.

“It was a really good project to work on where I was construction managing and legal project managing at the time and co-ordinating contractors and delivering a destination for our community,” he said.

But while the region’s “flashy projects” were important and satisfying so were the individual citizens he was able to help with solutions to make positive changes in their life.

“I had one recently where a guy approached me and said he remembered me that I fixed his road,” he said.

“I didn’t remember that (previous) conversation or what we’d done but he remembered me and that was pretty cool. So it’s those little things that also make a big difference, not just the big ribbon cutting projects.”

Rob Huth in a group photo at his final Gladstone Regional Council meeting.

He encouraged council staff and councillors to “keep doing wonderful things”.

“There’s plenty of good people working in this business and plenty more to come into the business but it’s time for the old fellows like me to move out and let the new generation come through,” he said.

“If anyone is looking for a career in council, it’s a good choice to make.”

Cr Burnett said Rob set a fine example for those aspiring to join council.

“From a trained chippy to CEO,” he said.

“Love it.”