There have been two staff social occasions recently at Wattle Range Council which have involved its administration manager Cathy Bell.

Firstly, it was her happy duty to present a certificate to records officer Paul Whitford to recognise his 20 years of service to the council.

The second occasion also involved Ms Bell as a gathering of her colleagues in the Millicent Gallery marked her resignation.

After 31 years in local government, Ms Bell has opted to work in the private sector with a local builder.

After studying at Millicent High School and spending a year at TAFE, Ms Bell joined the staff of the then Millicent District Council in 1992.

One of her early duties which kept her in the public eye was as minutes secretary at council meetings.

Her career then took her into other senior administrative roles.

Among the well-wishers at the Millicent Gallery for her farewell was her first “boss” at council Frank Brennan.

He had been the Millicent Council district manager and became the first chief executive of Wattle Range Council in 1997.