After more than 50 years in Local Government, Latrobe and Kentish Councils’ General Manager, Gerald Monson, has confirmed a time frame for his planned retirement. Gerald will complete his term with both councils as of 5 July 2024, but will commence a period of well-earned leave in early June.
Gerald has been the shared General Manager of Latrobe and Kentish Councils for the past 13 years.
Gerald's experience and knowledge were vital to the successful implementation of the resource sharing model between the two councils. This Municipal Alliance is unique in Australia as one workforce service and supports two distinct Local Government areas.
Latrobe Mayor, Peter Freshney said, “It will be difficult, if not impossible, to recruit a new General Manager who shares Gerald’s commitment to the communities in which he has worked, his work ethic, and his preparedness to always put the interest of council before his own.
Mayor Freshney confirmed that, “The recruitment process will commence almost immediately and will be headed up by a soon to be appointed Human Resource Recruitment Specialist who we expect will advertise the position nationally.”
Kentish Mayor, Kate Haberle, said, “Kentish has benefitted immensely from resource sharing with Latrobe. Gerald's vision and expertise in Local Government have proven to be instrumental in the ongoing sustainability of our municipality and our community and I am very thankful and appreciative of his leadership, availability, and support over the past 13 years."
Both councils are determined to build on the work done over the past thirteen years and enhance the alliance that has very much been initiated by Mr Monson and supported by successive councils from both communities during that period.
Both Mayors reiterated their belief that Mr Monson’s legacy across the Northern Tasmanian communities in which he has worked will be long standing and that, above all else, his contribution and commitment to Local Government more broadly will be acknowledged and respected for years to come.