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End of an Era for Victoria Plains
This September the Shire of Victoria Plains will farewell Chief Executive Officer, Harry Hawkins. It was way back in
2002 when Harry relocated from the Shire of Ashburton in order to be closer to his
family in Perth. Initially appointed as Deputy CEO/ Manager of Finance and
Administration, two years later Harry was promoted to the CEO position following
the retirement of Phil Anning. The staff and community are sure to miss Harry’s
relaxed, easily approachable nature. Harry is a rare find at the top of local
government, regularly availing himself to talk to a resident who walks into the
Shire Office without an appointment, or taking a phone call at the spur of the
moment from a community member.
Coming from an accounting and finance background prior to commencing his
career in Local Government, Harry’s most notable success at Victoria Plains was
turning around the Shire’s poor financial standing with near to zero reserves to a
now solid position with $1M in the reserves. He lists his other achievements;
however it appears he is being modest.
Upgrading the Shire plant to a modern, well maintained and more efficient
fleet.
Lobbying and working with Main Roads Wheatbelt North to obtain funding
to finalise the Aglime Route 2 through the Shire of Victoria Plains.
Successfully managing the joint CEO roles of Victoria Plains and Chittering for a period of 12 months.
Working with the Bolgart Community and the Cemetery and Crematorium Association to design and establish
the Bolgart Cemetery.
Working with the Calingiri Progress Association to upgrade the Calingiri Caravan Park.
Working with the Calingiri Football Club to secure funding and upgrade the playing fields and pavilion at the
Calingiri Sportsgrounds.
Expanding the Shire workforce to better serve the needs of the community. Under Harry’s direction the Shire
have employed a Building Maintenance Officer, Community Development Officer and Gardener.
Local Calingiri residents Dave and Val Keys remember how Harry, together with his wife Dawn, went above and
beyond the typical CEO duties with the group spending several weekends travelling to each property in the Shire and
installing the rural number system. Dave laughs as he recalls the time Harry drove one of the star pickets into an ant
nest and the group fled as the angry ants emerged. They abandoned that picket and installed the number elsewhere,
but Dave notes that that picket still remains in the ground to this day.
Harry will be again be heading north, to take up the CEO position at the Shire of Sandstone, where he hopes to see
out the remainder of his career before returning to his Bindoon property for retirement. Unfortunately for the Bindoon
Bowling Club they are also temporarily losing their Club President, as well as an experienced pennant player.
As Harry departs he encourages all residents not to be complacent about Council happenings. “Despite us all leading
busy lives it is worthwhile finding the time to pay some attention to what is happening in Council, as their decisions
impact upon all locals and the reputation and future development of Victoria Plains. Take time to vote in Local
Government elections, and carefully consider the candidates and whether they have the whole community’s best
interests at heart.”
In leaving he says:
Thank you to the many friends Dawn and I made in the community particularly in the years we lived in Calingiri, I
won’t try to name them because I will leave someone out. Thank you to the Shire staff I have worked with and
managed for their support and great work over the years. There were a few bumps along the road but generally it
has been good. Thanks to the 3 Shire Presidents I worked with; Michael Anspach, Geoff Erickson and David
Lovelock. We had good relationships and this helped to achieve the things that were accomplished over the years.
And finally thanks to those Councillors who showed trust and respect for myself and staff thankfully they were the
majority.
NEWS FROM THE CHAMBERS