SOUTH Gippsland Shire Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Allison Jones as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Ms Jones brings a wealth of leadership experience in local government, having most recently served as South Gippsland Shire Council’s Interim CEO and Director of Performance and Innovation. Prior to joining Council, she held senior executive positions at Bass Coast Shire Council and Latrobe City and has previously served as a Senior Policy Advisor with the Victorian Government.
Mayor John Schelling welcomed the appointment, describing it as a significant win for South Gippsland Shire Council.
“Allison’s appointment builds on the great work already underway at Council and marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for our organisation,” the mayor said. “We are thrilled to welcome her to the role. She has shown outstanding leadership over her almost five years with us and brings deep insight into both the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Mayor Schelling also highlighted the competitiveness of the recruitment process.
“Selecting a CEO is a critical decision, and we were fortunate to consider a wide range of highly experienced candidates. However, Allison stood out due to her substantial expertise across many areas, including finance, governance, planning, risk, investment attraction, advocacy, customer service, and economic development. This breadth of experience will be instrumental in driving positive outcomes for our community.”
“I warmly congratulate Allison on her appointment and welcome her to the role on behalf of the entire Council,” he added.
In response, Ms Jones said she was honoured and excited to step into the CEO role.
“Leading this remarkable organisation in such a beautiful region is truly a dream come true,” she said. “I’m particularly excited to be taking on this role as Council prepares to adopt a new Council Plan. I look forward to working closely with Mayor Schelling, Councillors, the organisation and our community to bring the plan to life and deliver meaningful outcomes for South Gippsland.”
Allison Jones will officially commence her appointment on Monday, June 2, 2025.