There has been a groundswell of support for State Emergency Service’s Hunter Region controller Amanda Williamson following her resignation this month.
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An online petition was launched to encourage Ms Williamson to reconsider her decision to leave.
It accumulated almost 200 signatures in just two days, almost a third of the Hunter’s SES volunteers, with many leaving messages of support for the controller.
In June, Ms Williamson was criticised in the media for her management style and her role in the restructure of the Hunter’s SES.
Since her appointment in October 2014, a Hunter-wide restructure saw the removal of Maitland controller Bruce Varley and his deputy Kyle Nicholas.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Greg Newton said there were many reasons for Ms Williamson’s resignation, including the vocal dissatisfaction of a small number of disgruntled volunteers and former volunteers.
Since the announcement of her intended resignation, Maitland SES controller Ian Robinson has come out in defence of Ms Williamson.
“This idea of widespread discontent about her is coming from a few disgruntled people who started a campaign to undermine Amanda,” he said.
“It was a campaign to tear a successful young woman down.
“Amanda was charged with cleaning up a mess.”
Mr Robinson said having the former Australian Defence Force lieutenant-colonel at the helm of the region’s SES units had provided strong leadership for the 650 volunteers.
“Amanda did a such an amazing job,” he said.
“In no way have you failed us Amanda. Your troops are absolutely behind you.”
Comments in the online petition to keep Ms Williamson in the job mirrored the Maitland controller’s sentiment.
“Her leadership style is exactly what we need,” Jo Maslen wrote.
“People’s reluctance to change is what the problem is – not Amanda’s leadership style.”
Ken Betson wrote that Ms Williamson always had the courage to uphold SES core values.
“Amanda hold your head high and know that you are awesome,” he said.
Ms Williamson has remained tight-lipped on her exit from the SES.
NSW SES Acting Commissioner Newton said the organisation had accepted her resignation and she is due to depart the service on December 11, 2015.
Mr Newton released a statement with Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott commending Ms Williamson on her service.
“As an agency striving for continuous improvement, we are committed to upholding the standards of good behaviour, professionalism, accountability and ethical leadership that Ms Williamson exemplified,” Mr Newton said.
