Following the announcement of Chief Executive Officer Sarah Philpott’s retirement effective 1 August 2025, Council has begun the recruitment process to fill the role.
At the July 2025 Council meeting, Elected Members considered arrangements to appoint an internal interim CEO from 2 August 2025. General Manager City Infrastructure Barbara Cernovskis has been appointed as interim CEO until an external interim CEO can commence, anticipated to be 1 September 2025. Barbara commenced with the City of Mount Gambier in November 2009. Barbara has worked in the General Manager role since 2017, initially looking after the Community Wellbeing portfolio and currently City Infrastructure. She has periodically acted in the role of Chief Executive Officer as required throughout this period.
Council has appointed Andrew Aitken as interim CEO until a new ongoing CEO is appointed and can commence in the position. Andrew comes to the City of Mount Gambier with extensive senior leadership experience, including 10 years as CEO of Adelaide Hills Council. More recently, Andrew spent almost six months as interim CEO of Clare and Gilbert Valleys Council. Over the course of his career, he has held a number of commercial and community board and committee roles in the waste, tourism, emergency management, disability services, education and arts sectors. Andrew is also a past President and Board Member of Local Government Professionals SA.
With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development and change management, Andrew brings with him an intricate understanding of how collaborative leadership links to people, culture and sustainable performance. He is looking forward to commencing the role at Council in September.
"I'm very excited to be given the opportunity to take on this important interim role for the city. Mount Gambier is such a beautiful and engaging part of the world and I can't wait to start," Andrew said.
We look forward to welcoming Andrew to the team at Council.
Lynette Martin
CITY OF MOUNT GAMBIER MAYOR
