Willoughby City Council’s CEO, Debra Just has announced her retirement, ending a distinguished career in Local Government spanning more than 25 years and serving at councils in both South Australia and New South Wales as well as working in education and various state agencies. Debra is also a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. Debra will be retiring in March to return to family in Adelaide.
Debra is recognised for her significant contribution to Willoughby City. Since joining Willoughby City Council in 2015, Debra has built a positive culture in the organisation and gained the respect and admiration of her peers. Her prudent financial management has ensured Council’s sustainability now and into the future.
“When I started, I could never have imagined that the years would be measured in interesting events which challenge and shape us all as leaders and people. Who knew we would be confronted with proclamations for amalgamations and the need for staff to remain focused, supported and performing. The next chapter saw us wrestling with, and cementing, our aspirations for the organisation we wanted to be while dealing with shock and healing following the passing of three senior staff. Repeated unexpected weather and flooding events, a global pandemic, and shortages of labour and supplies have tested our community and ourselves – and yet, memories of everyone rallying together to do what needed to be done will stay with me as the strongest memories,” Ms Just said.
“I am incredibly proud of the transformational change that has been implemented during my time here, particularly the development and delivery of rolling programs which have significantly upgraded our ovals, sports fields, playgrounds and parks as well as the public domain in our local centres. We have built/are building significant new community infrastructure and our performing arts reputation at The Concourse and through street fairs and festivals. We have cherished and supported our diversity and continue with many environmental and resilience initiatives. We have matured in disciplines such as risk management, business planning and our prioritisation of projects and capital works and progressed our corporate software rollout. Our Community satisfaction surveys results have been strong and we have not shied away from advocating for our community. Most recently, we have taken the necessary steps to ensure our financial sustainability. I’m confident that these initiatives will continue on a positive trajectory,” she said.
“This is no perfect time to retire but personally, this is the right time for me to return to my family and friends in Adelaide.”
“Debra has worked tirelessly to guide change within the organisation to better serve the community during a tumultuous time,” said Mayor Tanya Taylor.
“I have valued Debra’s leadership, strategic approach and that she does not shy away from the complex and challenging. She is highly respected by her local government peers,” she said.
“I appreciate that she now needs to focus on her family and I would like to thank her for all she has done to the benefit of the Willoughby community,” she said.
She will remain as the Chief Executive Officer of Willoughby City Council until 1 March 2024.
