HORSHAM'S Josh Koenig has formally stepped into the executive officer position at Uniting Wimmera.
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Mr Koenig has been acting in the role since October 1 after former executive officer Wendy Sturgess resigned in September.
"I look back at (taking on the acting role) now and appreciate the opportunities that were given to me. I like to look for new challenges and keep myself focused on bigger picture stuff," he said.
"The opportunity came up at the right time for me professionally, so I jumped at the opportunity to step in when Wendy left."
Mr Koenig has worked at the service provider for 10 years and has taken on many roles.
"I started as a disability support worker handing in timesheets," he said.
He said he was excited to take on the new challenge and proud to be leading Uniting's work in the Wimmera.
"I'm really excited for the opportunity. I understand we have had a lot of change at Uniting over the last two years and my aim is to build up community confidence and relationships that may have been impacted by the merger 18 months ago," he said.
"I feel like enough time has gone past and it is time to build on those connections."
With the community service landscape ever-changing, Mr Koenig said his long-term focus would be delivering high-quality care to clients.
"My long-term focus is definitely around the high level service delivery we are providing and really upholding that," he said.
"We're working in a world with a lot of changes with community services in terms of reforms and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. The challenge is that the space we're moving into is new for a lot of people.
"We want to find the time to do justice to everybody, including stakeholders, because I value the partnerships that we have and I want to work on consolidating those."
Besides from working at Uniting Wimmera, Mr Koenig has another active role in the community with his position as a Horsham Rural City councillor.
"I'm committed to a work-life balance. A lot people would say that there's a lot on my plate, with council as well, but I'm very proud that I leave the office close to 5pm most days, and get home to help feed, bath and put the kids to bed," he said.
"I've been true to myself in that form. I can see that it's rubbing off with the people in our work community. I will stay on with council until the end of this term at the end of next year. I've committed to the four-year term.
"What's been great with work and council is that they've both been so supportive of one another and allowed me to miss a couple of meetings here or there."
Mr Koenig said he wouldn't be able to take on his roles at both Uniting Wimmera and council without the support of his wife Sallie, and their children Oskar, two-and-a-half, and Adeline, one.
He said people who needed support could contact Uniting Wimmera on 1800 195 114.
"Seeking support early before your situation escalates is really important. If we are unable to provide the support you need here at Uniting, we can help you to link in to a service that can. There is no wrong door," he said.
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