Award celebrates strengthened state-local government collaboration

The Jim Hullick Award, named in honour of the late former LGA CEO, recognises public sector workers from state and federal government who have gone above and beyond to collaborate on projects with local councils.

Mr McKellar has been a key contact within DEW for the Community Wastewater Management System project, which will enable the ongoing provision of wastewater services in the Cape Jaffa region.

In nominating Mr McKellar for the Award, Kingston District Council praised his “courtesy, patience and willingness to collaborate”, noting “there has been an elevated level of trust and confidence within council and from elected members as a result of several presentations by Tom”.

LGA South Australia CEO Clinton Jury said Mr McKellar exemplified everything the Jim Hullick Award stands for and was a worthy recipient this year.

“The Award celebrates public servants who bring together multiple tiers of government to deliver outcomes for communities, and it’s clear Tom is doing this in his work with Kingston District Council on the Cape Jaffa CWMS,” Mr Jury.

“CWMS projects often involve many stakeholders and can be complex by nature and it’s pleasing to see Tom has been a reliable, proactive point of contact within the state government that council can rely on and trust to achieve a great outcome.”

Mr McKellar is the third employee from the Department for Environment and Water to win the Award in its nearly 10-year history, following Craig Nixon and Dennis Kuhlmann in 2022 and 2019, respectively.

He said it was a great honour to receive the Jim Hullick Award and to be nominated by the council.

“I’m incredibly thankful Kingston District Council saw fit to put my name forward for this important Award, which has a longstanding history within local government in South Australia,” Mr McKellar said.

“For CWMS projects, like the one we’re currently working on in Cape Jaffa, it’s crucial that local and state government work together to share information, identify challenges and devise solutions that will deliver the best possible outcome for the community.

“I’ve greatly enjoyed and appreciated working with Kingston District Council on this project and I look forward to our partnership continuing into the future as we move through the next stages.”

Mr McKellar was presented the accolade at LGA South Australia’s Annual General Meeting at the National Wine Centre in Adelaide on Friday.

About Jim Hullick

Jim Hullick OAM was Chief Executive Officer of LGA South Australia from 1976 to 1997.

He set up several partnerships that led to the establishment of the Local Government Finance Authority and the LGA Workers Compensation and Mutual Liability Schemes.

His work also led to the first Memorandum of Understanding between a Premier and an LGA President in 1990.

Mr Hullick also served on many national and international committees and was a fierce advocate for South Australia and local government.

See the list of past Jim Hullick Award winners: www.lga.sa.gov.au/jim-hullick