Dr Emonson was a former Yarrawonga Shire Secretary before the amalgamation of Moira Shire Council and has since worked in state and local government, including in rural and metropolitan councils.
Dr Emonson was appointed a member of the three-person panel of administrators alongside Chair John Tanner AM and previous State Member for Shepparton Suzanna Sheed, by the state government after the previous council was dismissed on Tuesday, March 7.
A commission of inquiry found that the council could not effectively carry out its responsibilities in accordance with the Local Government Act 2020 because of significant governance failures.
“I love the area and have a deep level of appreciation of what the town has to offer,” Mr Emonson said.
“After living here for 15 years previously, it’s a great place and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to contribute to the various communities of Moira Shire and working closely with the residents of Yarrawonga.
“The panel is united in acting as stewards on behalf of the community for the local government area.
“Local government provides a whole range of things. It’s a service provider, it’s an advocate for the area and in that capacity, I am coming into my role as an administrator with the concept of us being stewards in advancing all of those things.
“We are unified to work to enhance the community wellbeing and reinvigorate their confidence in council.
“We want to bring the community along with us in each step that we take especially as there are numerous exciting things happening here.”
Dr Emonson brings an extensive leadership and organisational culture experience to the panel, along with his extensive experience in public administration and a background in government as he has served as a Chief Executive Officer across rural, regional and large metropolitan councils spanning 28 years, as well as serving as a senior executive in the state government.
Dr Emonson’s professional background includes his work as a Fellow and Board Member of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA), a former Executive Director of Local Government Victoria, CEO of the City of Wangaratta for five years to 2002 and CEO of Knox City Council from 2002 to 2016.
“My background has been in the local government sector largely at rural and metropolitan councils, so I certainly bring a strong level of understanding into local governance and how local government works,” Mr Emonson said.
“I also have a strong understanding at how councils need to position themselves and perform to demonstrate and gain the communities trust that they are governing the municipality in the best way that it can.
“I really look forward to bringing my background and experience in both governance and leadership to position Moira to be it’s very best.
“Moira has some really considerable strengths. It has a great mix and diversity from tourism and lifestyle to agriculture to industry and very strong service centres so I think what we need to focus on is how do we build and leverage the diversity and growth of the area and what can council do in that space.
“It can be an advocate, it can be a strategic planner, it can bring confidence to the area. We have a plan for how we’ll build the diversity, how we’ll grow the area and how we’ll enhance the community wellbeing.”
Mr Emonson added that he has received a warm welcome to the role with the panel focused on bringing confidence back to council throughout more community involvement.
“My first month in the role has been great. Everybody I have met, whether it be in the community or council itself, are positive about the future and that’s a great platform for us to be working from,” Mr Emonson said.
“We as the panel are really focussed in bringing clarity and confidence to council as well as bringing the community along with us especially with engagement.
“The people I have had the pleasure of interacting with are all coming at it from the right place, with a strong sense of goodwill and intent and I think that’s a really strong platform as a panel of administrators to keep working with both the community and organisations to bring Moira forward.
“The commission of inquiry has highlighted opportunities for things to take a new direction and with a period of time, I’m confident we will not only be able to address the issues that have been raised through the commission but from what we are hearing from the community to really set a new pathway forward.
“A period of five years is a great opportunity to be able to do that.”
Dr Emonson joins Mr Tanner who has been in the role since the sacking of council in March with Ms Sheed joining in late June.
Dr Emonson and Ms Sheed’s appointments will remain until the first meeting of council following the general election in October 2028 while Mr Tanner will chair the panel until December, 8 2023 after which further appointments may be made to the panel, including the appointment of a new chair.
“The tenure for myself and Ms Sheed is a good period of time for us to set about some strategic planning and really focus on bringing that confidence and new direction. Building on the strengths we already have,” Mr Emonson said.
All of the administrators have commented that they are pleased to be appointed to rebuild public confidence in council and to ensure good governance practices are brought back.
Mr Tanner said he was honoured to be joined by such distinguished and experienced leaders on the panel.
“They will help provide the shire with the experience, confidence and trust people are seeking from the council,” Mr Tanner said.
“I am delighted to see the depth of their understanding and experience in the needs of rural and regional communities. Their strategic insights and experience will be of great importance to the work of the council and the community as a whole.”
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