Council boss leaves town ‘abetter place for families’

Shire of Collie chief executive officer David Blurton will leave the post at the end of the month, ending a successful six year stint in the role. Family is the driving force behind the decision, with Mr Blurton, pictured, relocating to Baldivis with his young family to support his wife. Mr Blurton, who moved to the town with his family in 2010, said watching Collie grow and change has been a highlight. “Seeing Collie develop into a better place to live, particularly for people with families, over the years has been something I am really proud of,” he said. “The place looks a lot different to when I first came to town and that is thanks to some of the projects completed by the shire, often with the support of the State Government of course. “It has really transformed the place I reckon as far as the appearance goes. Mr Blurton said the new central park on Forrest Street and developments at the Collie Mineworkers Memorial Pool and the Collie Motorplex were also career highlights. “All these things either help create little job opportunities or go some way to making Collie a better place to live,” he said. Mr Blurton acted in the role for eight months after the departure of previous chief executive Jason Whiteaker, an opportunity which he says gave him extra confidence in the role before taking it on in a more permanent capacity. “I was already employed in a director role at the time the former CEO departed, which left a bit of a void, I acted in that role for a while and that just gave me the confidence in the fact I could do the role, so eventually I put my hand up,” he said. “I was a little bit hesitant at the time but in hindsight I’m very glad I did put my hand up, it was a real test and I pushed myself, but it was a very rewarding experience.” Mr Blurton said he leaves the Shire of Collie and the town in a good place and is planning to use a break to finish some work of another kind, some home renovations as well as playing more golf. “Collie is in a bit of a state of transition at the moment, everyone recognises that, so it is a pretty challenging time but a good opportunity for the community to reshape itself,” he said. “I am a golfer, and I actually have a house to renovate, so both of those will keep me busy.”