ERIC Groth settled into a familiar old chair but with a new title when he turned up for work this morning at Gunnedah Shire Council.
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Late yesterday afternoon the 42-year-old was confirmed by council as the General Manager, a position he has been filling for the past three months.
It was a case of “back home” for Mr Groth, the eldest son of Rita and the late Graham Groth, who began his career with George Paul in 1990 before moving into local government in 1998.
“I started with George Paul, qualified in accountancy and stayed with the firm for six years before I took 18 months off to attend university full time,” Mr Groth said.
I went back to work for Mr Paul who was a tremendous employer and my mentor in my early career, before I took up a maternity relief position with Gunnedah Shire Council in 1998 as finance officer.
That brief stint in local government turned into a life-long career with Mr Groth serving in a number of councils and shires, even as far south as Devonport in Tasmania as Director Corporate Service.
“I held positions, mainly in finance in Lockhart, Hay Shire Council, Goulburn and Wyong before returning to Gunnedah as finance manager where I worked under Max Kershaw who was the GM, and counted among my colleagues and good friends Tim Muldoon and Stuart Brandon.”
In 2010 Mr Groth returned to Gunnedah from Devonport as Director Community and Corporate Services.
When former GM Robert Campbell resigned in June, Mr Groth stepped into the role and his appointment to the position was confirmed yesterday.
The lengthy selection process was handled by recruitment specialists, McArthur Consultants.
The initial field of 24 was whittled down to first round interviews with a short-list selected for the second round which involved McArthur, Mayor Owen Hasler, Deputy Mayor Gae Swain and councillor Tim Duddy.
The third round was held by council.
According to Mr Groth and his partner of 11 years, Joy Martin, “it’s great to be back home”.
“It is steady as it goes for the time being but we have to work our way through the Taskforce Implementation Plan,” he added.
The Taskforce, consisting of the GM, Mayor, Deputy Mayor and outdoor staff representatives Graeme Baxter and Tim Tunningly and indoor member, Donna Markey will be kept busy over the coming months leading into the new year looking at what needs to be done and the best way of going about the task.
“Basically we are looking at implementing the majority of the plan over the next 12 months and we will hold a Strategic Planning Workshop next month which will be facilitated by Stephen Blackadder.
“This will involve councillors and senior executive staff and we will decide what functions and services council needs to deliver and if additional services are required.
“The contracts for my position are to be signed later today and all I can say is I am very excited to be asked to take on this role and help this great town and shire grow and prosper.”
