Longreach Regional Council appoints new Chief Executive

Mr Murphy joins the Western Queensland council from the Brisbane office of law firm Gadens, where he is Commercial and Marketing Director. He replaces outgoing CEO Ian Bodill, who is stepping down after four years in the position.

Mayor Ed Warren said Mr Murphy was bringing some unique private-sector experience to his first local government role.

“I’m delighted to be appointing an executive of Mitchell’s calibre and standing as our new CEO. His professional services, administration, and stakeholder engagement experience will be invaluable in taking our region forward.

“We’re an ambitious council – and we think he’s got the skills to really take us to the next level. We went in to this recruitment process saying it would take someone really special for us to appoint from outside the local government sector.

“Mitchell is that someone special.”

Mr Murphy has a decorated resume, possessing a Master of Business Administration, with a track record of transformational change in the professional services, media and sports administration. He is a long-serving member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council and a member of Australian Institute of Company Directors.

His media industry background is distinguished by a series of high profile editorships with Fairfax in Australia and New Zealand, including a term as Group Editor-In-Chief of Fairfax Community Newspapers in Australia – a stable of 48 titles.

Mr Murphy spearheaded the return of the Brisbane Bullets to the national sporting landscape in 2016, and was previously CEO with A-League side the Newcastle Jets and Football Federation Victoria.

Mr Murphy said he was looking forward to the challenge of local government.

“What I’m really excited about is working for a great regional community. There’s boundless opportunity in our regions – and local government is where the rubber hits the road in realising that potential.

“There isn’t a more iconic region, or one with more potential, than the Longreach region. I can’t wait to make a contribution here, and become a part of such a proud community.”

Mitchell Murphy starts in the role on 3 June, and will be based full time in Longreach.