Long-serving Geelong council executives Robyn Stevens and Gareth Smith find a new home a month after departing City Hall

It didn’t take long for two former senior City Hall executives to land plum roles at other organisations – with one moving interstate to become chief executive of another council.

Former Geelong council executive Gareth Smith will lead Barwon Coast Committee of Management. Picture: Glenn Ferguson.

Two long-serving Geelong council figures who recently left City Hall as part of a major shake-up by new chief executive Ali Wastie have both landed the top job elsewhere.

Gareth Smith has been appointed chief executive of the Barwon Coast Committee of Management (BCCM), while Robyn Stevens has taken the top job at Shoalhaven City Council in New South Wales.

The pair departed immediately after Ms Wastie announced her new leadership team in early December.

Ms Stevens, who will commence her new role on February 12, spent seven years at the City of Greater Geelong and eight years at the Surf Coast Shire before that.

Mr Smith was council’s planning boss for five years after moving across from Colac Otway Shire.

Taking over from Gary McPike, he will start at BCCM on February 5.

“The committee is confident that Gareth’s exemplary skill set, strategic leadership approach and deep knowledge of the environment and industry will position him extremely well to excel at Barwon Coast Committee of Management,” board chair Sandra Gatehouse said.

The BCCM manages the Breamlea, Barwon Heads, and Riverview Family caravan parks, as well as Riverside Campground in Ocean Grove.

Shoalhaven council mayor Amanda Findley said Ms Stevens was a unanimous choice to replace Stephen Dunshea as chief executive.

The council has its offices Nowra and Ulladulla.

Robyn Stevens.

“Her strong business acumen and broad range of experience in local government and the public sector will be a real asset in setting the path forward,” she said.

Ms Stevens said the Shoalhaven region was still recovering from the impact of extreme weather events that have occurred in recent years.

“I look forward to working with the community, the council and the organisation to plan for how we meet the community’s vision for the city and continue to rise to these challenges in the immediate future,” she said.

Under a LinkedIn post announcing the appointment, Ms Wastie congratulated Ms Stevens.

“Best news yet for 2024,” she wrote.

All four new executive directors at Geelong council – Tennille Bradley, James Stirton, Troy Edwards and Anthony Basford – commence January 22.

Ms Wastie has set her new leadership team the lofty goal of helping Geelong become the highest performing local government in the country.

Meanwhile, the Geelong Chamber of Commerce has announced several changes to its board.

John Stekelenburg and Catherine Middlemiss have departed as chair and deputy chair respectively.

Existing directors Renee Jovic and Karl Morris have filled those roles, while Lauren Hogan from Fruition Recruitment and Huntercorp Investments’ Julie Hunter are new additions.

“Julie is a seasoned finance professional who is recognised for her strategic leadership and unwavering community dedication,” the chamber said in a statement.

Originally published as Long-serving Geelong council executives Robyn Stevens and Gareth Smith find a new home a month after departing City Hall