Mount Gambier City Council has welcomed its new chief executive, Sarah Philpott, to the top job. The former local’s first day in the role included council’s elected members meeting last week, which saw Ms Philpott receive an ovation for taking on the new role.

Outgoing acting chief executive Barbara Cernovskis was also commended for her service, as she moves to the role of acting general manager City Infrastructure. It comes after Ms Philpott returns to Mount Gambier with more than 15 years of executive leadership experience within state and local government sectors.

Before her current role, Ms Philpott was the chief executive at Mildura Rural City Council, a role she took on in August 2019. This followed roles in community and city development and corporate services portfolios in metropolitan Adelaide at Port Adelaide Enfield Council and City of Marion. Ms Philpott also filled a role in Queensland at Cairns Regional Council.

She has undergraduate qualifications in library and information management and postgraduate qualifications in business administration, organisational change and a Masters degree in Social Sciences.