In an announcement on the 30th January 2020 the Hilltops Council have announced that following a very competitive recruitment process involving rigorous assessments and interviews, the eleven Councillors of Hilltops Council have expressed great satisfaction in their appointment of a new General Manager to lead the organisation.
The Hilltops Council website states: "At the close of applications in early December, sixty eight expressions of interest were received resulting in fourteen high quality applications being submitted. There was a very pleasing response to the opportunity, with a mix of representation from government, local government and the private sector.
"At a Council meeting held on Wednesday 29 January 2020 Council considered the results of two rounds of interviews held with candidates, and the assessment of comprehensive referee checks and personality profiles.
Council is delighted to announce that Anthony O’Reilly, the current Director Corporate and Commercial Services at Eurobodalla Shire Council on the south coast of NSW has been appointed.
Above: Anthony O'Reilly - Photo ESC
As the Director of Corporate and Commercial Services and as part of the Executive Leadership Team of Eurobodalla Shire Council, Anthony's role involved full coverage of Council's finance functions including Financial, Management and Revenue areas, and Governance, encompassing Privacy, Insurance and Risk Management. Corporate Services such as Property, Information Technology, Customer Service and Records and the operation of the shires Botanic Gardens and the Batemans Bay Beach Resort also all reported to Mr O'Reilly. (source)
Hilltops Council added in their media release "Anthony has been with Eurobodalla for eight years and has a strong financial management expertise. He demonstrated a significant alignment with the role and an energy which the Council expects will take Hilltops into the next phase of its exciting future.
"Anthony has impressive academic qualifications – a Master of Local Government from the University of Technology Sydney, a Master of Dispute Resolution (Honours) from the University of Technology Sydney, a Bachelor of Business from the University of Western Sydney, and he is a Chartered Accountant and a Certified Practising Accountant awarded by CPA Australia.
"Anthony’s work history includes private sector executive roles as the General Manager Finance and Strategy with Campbell Page, a Senior Manager with Ernst and Young Transaction Advisory Services and as Chief Financial Officer with FlowCom Limited.
Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram said of the appointment: “This is an incredibly exciting period for Hilltops with our Councillors and staff pursuing many projects and delivering valued services to our Hilltops community. The Councillors are delighted that we have been able to attract a person of such expertise and experience as Anthony O’Reilly. In the next weeks and months Anthony has indicated he is keen to get out and about to meet with and listen to business owners, community members, sporting representatives and the broad cross section of our community. He knows he will receive support and encouragement from the Councillors in our efforts to advance the interests of this wonderful community.”
“Anthony has a strong financial management background, and this will be highly beneficial in ensuring Hilltops can meet the challenge of financial sustainability in future years. He also has a proven community focus, providing volunteer services to many community groups in the Eurobodalla. I am looking forward to working closely with Anthony to continue to deliver excellent services, facilities and outcomes for the Hilltops region,” he concluded.
Mr O’Reilly had this message for Hilltops staff and community: “I am honoured that the Hilltops Councillors have provided this opportunity for me to grow my career and to see my family benefit from the wonderful lifestyle available in Hilltops. My research tells me we have a legacy of great contributions by many people across the Boorowa, Harden and Young districts and I want to build upon this legacy and make my own mark.”
“This is an exciting time for Hilltops with many projects and improvements ahead. I am very keen to meet the staff team and find out how I can help them achieve the highest levels of job satisfaction possible and to ensure they have the right resources to do their jobs effectively.
In the first 100 days I will be conducting a workshop with Councillors to determine their priorities for the future so we can all work together in building a better and stronger Hilltops,” he shared.
Hilltops Council was established on May 12, 2016 and includes the former council areas of Boorowa, Harden and Young in New South Wales.
