BERRIGAN Shire's first female boss started work this week and she is keen to see women elected to the currently all-male council in this year's election.
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Karina Ewer has become chief executive, replacing general manager Rowan Perkins who retired in April after having been in the top management job since 1998.
Her first three months coincides with a council election at which she hopes female candidates succeed, with Berrigan having had no women councillors this term.
"The council is actively encouraging women to stand for election because that dynamic is missing and it's important they're involved at that level of community engagement along with everyone else," Ms Ewer said.
Berrigan mayor Matt Hannan said a women's night was being held at Barooga on June 25 to encourage female candidates.
Ms Ewer has joined Berrigan on a five-year contract after having been chief executive of the District Council of Streaky Bay on the west coast of South Australia's Eyre Peninsual since May 2019.
She was among 18 candidates for the job of leading the council which includes Tocumwal, Finley, Berrigan and Barooga townships.
Cr Hannan said Ms Ewer was the standout candidate with particular strengths in human resources and conflict resolution and a good work ethic.
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"We're really excited to have Karina on board, it's a different direction after 23 years and it will be exciting times for the Berrigan Shire," Cr Hannan said.
Ms Ewer said she was looking forward to the challenge of leading a council of 98 staff compared to Streaky Bay's 33 and had set up "listening posts" to hear from residents in each of the main towns over the past two days and early next week.
Originally from Queensland, where she worked for the ambulance service and Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Ms Ewer said she was familiar with Berrigan Shire through multiple motorbike trips from Townsville to Phillip Island.
Ms Ewer attended her first council meeting on Wednesday, but did not act as a chairperson, allowing acting general manager Matthew Hansen to continue in that role for a final forum.
She is living with her husband Richard on a property outside Finley and has two adult children.
