KI Landscape Board farewells long-term staff member Sharon Gullickson

Mrs Gullickson began work with the then Natural Resource Management Board in June 2009.

KI Landscape Board Chair Andrew Heinrich said during her tenure, Mrs Guillickson has been the backbone of the KI Landscape Board, supporting three Chairs and four General Managers.

"Sharon's contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Board's operations and culture," Mr Heinrich said.

"Sharon's level of integrity and dedication in supporting staff to achieve their goals and objectives has been an example to us all," he said.

"It is very rare for me to say this, but Sharon made me a better person," Mr Heinrich said at a special farewell to celebrate Mrs Gullickson's achievements and contribution to the KI Landscape Board and community on Friday, 5 July 2024.

Also speaking at the farewell celebrations was the first Presiding Member of the KI Natural Resource Management (NRM) Board, Mrs Jackie Kelly.

"I take credit for hiring Sharon into the organisation, and we have never looked back since," Mrs Kelly said.

Second Presiding Member of the NRM Board Richard Trethewey, and former KI Landscape Board Member Michael Pengilly and former NRM Board General Manager Jeanette Gellard also paid tribute to Mrs Gullickson's work and community service, highlighting the significant impact she has had on the Kangaroo Island community.

When asked about her feelings about leaving the KI Landscape Board, Mrs Gullickson said that although she will miss her colleagues, she is very confident in their work and plans for the future.

"I have been fortunate to work for a very supportive and well-functioning Board," Mrs Gullickson said.

"The Board has confirmed its next round of funding for projects critical to maintaining the natural environment on Kangaroo Island," she said.

"All of the managers have settled in, and we are getting on with the job of achieving outcomes that are excellent for landholders and the environment," she said.

"I have loved working at the Board because there is not a day that I don't learn something new," she said.

KI Landscape Board General Manager Will Durack presented Mrs Guillickson with a painting of paper bark trees by her favourite KI artist, Sara Hourez, as her parting gift from her colleagues.

"We are deeply grateful for Sharon’s contribution to the Board and to the Kangaroo Island environment and community," Mr Durack said.

"We wish her all the best in her well-earned retirement surrounded by her family and dear husband Les," he said.