Our Sunday Profile this week gives you a sneak peek into the District Council of Yankalilla's CEO Nigel Morris's personal side.

Please tell us a bit about you and any link(s) to the Fleurieu and/or Kangaroo Island.

I have had the privilege of being the CEO of the District Council of Yankalilla since December 2015, I will be celebrating five years with the Council later this year.

I love the Fleurieu, especially of course the Yankalilla District where we are only one hour's drive south from Adelaide's CBD and home to rolling hills, 750 square kilometres of dairy farms and grazing lands, pine forests, conservation parks and bushland, the hills and valleys give way to 90kms of coastline where rugged cliffs and 30kms of spectacular white sandy beaches provide year-round attraction.

I also have strong links to McLaren Vale where I like to support the local wineries.

We all know you as the CEO of the District Council of Yankalilla, can you please tell us a little more about the previous life of Nigel Morris and what inspired you to head the Yankalilla Council?

My background is in Information Technology (IT). I started at Wagga Wagga City Council as a Computer Operating/Programmer as a 19 year old before becoming a travelling Local Government Business Software Consultant for the next 11 years. This saw me work onsite at over 70 Local Government Authorities throughout Australia. When I was expecting my first born I decided to stop living out of motels and base myself at just one Council.

I did some time at City of Adelaide before coming the IT Manager at City of Burnside. It was an interesting time at Burnside and with sudden departures of CEOs and General Managers I was rapidly promoted to the role of Acting CEO at the start of 2010 before rotating through the three General Manager positions of Corporate, Urban and Community.

I was inspired to head to District Council of Yankalilla as I love the region and felt I could make a difference with combining my previous experience.

On a more personal note, tell us a little about Nigel Morris and what he loves to do out of council.

I have three kids, Jazzy (14), Cooper (12) from a previous marriage and now with my wife Kate, Ruby (4).

In this day and age with technology I seem to always be connected to Council but to switch off I love to put the headphones on and stream TV, I am currently watching Billions, ZeroZeroZero and Yellowstone.

I also love to play poker, gardening and trying new red wine (especially from the Fleurieu).

You and your council have been doing things differently and thinking outside the square by being openly interactive with your local residents. You must be very proud of what you have achieved. Why is Yankalilla so unique do you think?

With my background in technology and communication I took on the role of “Social Media Dude” for my first four years at Council and ran the FaceBook account. This gave me a greater understanding of what the Community was feeling and what they wanted to know. It also allowed me to constantly interact with the Community on an informal basis.

We are not afraid to try new things. We also understand the importance of technology and instant communication, this is where the Fleurieu App has been a welcome introduction to the region.

Council is there for the Community, so we need that interaction with the community to listen and understand their needs.

We also understand that with every important decision we are not going to make everyone happy but a decision needs to be made. It is hard enough getting my three kids to agree on what to have for dinner let alone 5,500 residents all agreeing on important decisions.

Now that we are able to get out and about, while still social distancing, please share your top tips for our beautiful region.

Best place to....

           This is like choosing a favourite child.

• Grab a quick bite…The Yankalilla Take Away. (Mal and the team make the “Nigel” a bacon and egg roll without the roll) or Yankalilla Bakery.
• Have a more serious feed…The Lady Bay Links or Normanville Kiosk
• Get a cuppa… I will always track down TJ and the Junk Street Van
• Have a beer (or cold drink)…Forktree Brewing, Carrickalinga or Smiling Samoyed Brewery Myponga
• Taste some wine (or just enjoy the winery atmosphere)... The Victory at Sellicks Hill or Leconfield Wines, McLaren Vale
• Explore nature… The newly opened Myponga Reservoir

Weirdest thing that’s happened to me here...

When I first started at Council there was a video going around of a goat that was walking around the road wearing a hat.

Best memory of being here...

I love seeing the changes that Council has been involved in since I joined, it is with great pride when I drive past the newly planted street trees, the open space created in Normanville with the removal of the old Petrol Station, the Myponga Playground, the free WiFi, new toilet facilities at Second Valley, Bungala Park, the Centre and Myponga Beach and of course the joy of those using the Normanville Swimming Pontoon.

Most colourful character I’ve run into....

There are many, you would be amazed at who lives down here. I love listening to the back stories of people that I meet.

My best piece of advice for anyone heading to the region...

Call into our award-winning Visitors Information Centre, they know all the special places.

Any links for further information/social media links for you?

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nigel-morris-1a913b1/