Kangaroo Island Council has announced the appointment of Mr Daryl Buckingham as its new Chief Executive Officer following a comprehensive nation-wide search. 

Councillors voted unanimously to appoint Mr Buckingham as the Council’s CEO at a  special council meeting last Tuesday 12 September.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly says Mr Buckingham’s appointment followed an extensive recruitment process. 

“We warmly welcome Daryl and his wife Amanda to Kangaroo Island; he brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of delivering for local communities throughout his career,” he says. 

“Daryl is a results-driven executive with more than two decades experience developing and leading high performing teams within Local Government and the private sector.” 

Mayor Pengilly says Mr Buckingham brings an in-depth understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing regional communities, with experience spanning local government, primary production, tourism, infrastructure operations and financial leadership. 

“Daryl is a proven strategic leader, who operates with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to delivering exceptional community outcomes,” he says. 

Mr Buckingham is currently CEO of Tenterfield Council in New South Wales. 

He was previously CEO of Flinders Shire Council, based at Hughenden in Queensland, and CEO of Mildura Regional Development. 

He is also a trained counsellor and has been working in a voluntary capacity as a Welfare Officer for the Military Brotherhood and Veterans Affairs, working with returned servicemen and servicewomen dealing with depression, PTSD and suicide prevention. 

Mr Buckingham is the Chairman of the Women’s Mentoring Foundation, which provides benevolent relief to women from diverse cultures, suffering from distress and/or poverty, and helps women heal from hurt, distress, grief, and trauma. 

He says he feels privileged to be appointed as Kangaroo Island Council’s new CEO and that he is a community-minded person who goes, “to the opening of an envelope.” 

“It's an honour and a privilege to be asked to lead the Council administration and become a contributor to the Kangaroo Island community,” Mr Buckingham says. 

“I look forward to working with the Elected Members in the best interest of the Kangaroo Island community.

“I look forward to meeting my new team, living on Kangaroo Island and becoming part of an Island community.”