Shire of Carnarvon set to welcome Gascoyne’s Amanda Dexter as new chief executive

The Shire of Carnarvon will be under new leadership later this year after its council voted to appoint an experienced chief executive.

Amanda Dexter has served the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley’s CEO for the past 5½ years, but will head to Carnarvon to commence her new role.

It comes after incumbent Andrea Selvey announced her departure from the role, moving south this month to take the top job at the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River.

Originating from the area, Ms Dexter said she was excited to return to the Gascoyne.

“It’s been a bit of a lifelong dream really,” she said.

“My family has had a long association with Carnarvon, so to be able to go back there and be the CEO is very exciting.”

Ms Dexter’s family history in Carnarvon dates back to the late 1800s where her ancestors moved to the area.

She grew up in Carnarvon in the 1970s and 1980s, and worked as a nurse in the area before a career in local government.

With more than 20 years experience in local government, Ms Dexter said she was prepared for anything the region had to throw at her.

“The first few months will be getting to know the community again, it’s been about 15 years or more since I’ve really lived there,” she said.

“I want to make sure that I really understand where they’re going and what they want me to do for them.

“As CEO, it’s my job to listen to the community and the council, and then set the team on the right path to deliver those outcomes.”

In her role with the Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, Ms Dexter helped navigate the region during some tough periods, including the floods which affected Fitzroy Crossing in early 2023.

Ms Dexter said her eventual departure would be difficult.

“The last five-and-a-half years has been pretty full-on as a whole, so saying goodbye will be quite heartbreaking,” she said.

Ms Dexter will move to Carnarvon with her family in October, with John Attwood continuing as acting chief executive until her arrival.