Profile Magazine - LGPro - 2024 Summer Edition

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For more than 20 years McArthur has been working with Australian Councils and the broader Local Government sector to help develop the best possible remuneration solutions

With unparalleled insight and experience, our consultants deliver relevant insight and advice tailored to unique organisational specifications

Having the right strategies in place means more engaged, committed and focused teams, and optimised productivity and performance outcomes. hrconsulting@mcarthur.com.au

Council advocates find their voice

A new community dedicated to advocacy is helping councils get more vocal.

Where next? A manager’s local government journey

We ask a Mastering Management graduate how the program influenced their career.

Passion for public service: An emerging leader’s career path

We learn how professional development has propelled Yohana Jury through new stages of her local government career.

Reform in review: Revisiting how we got here

Retracing our steps to the introduction of new governance and conduct legislation and regulations that are now in force.

The

IT pro bridging digital divides

The long-term LGPro member behind a new association bridging the gap between local government’s people and its tech.

What’s on in 2025?

See the full calendar of events and professional development opportunities for the half-year ahead.

CONTRIBUTIONS

Story ideas and photographs are always welcome. Contact: info@lgpro.com

ADVERTISING

For information or to book advertising in Profile, contact: info@lgpro.com

CREDITS

Profile is published by Local Government Professionals Inc.

LGPro, Level 3/58 Lorimer Street Docklands 3008

Ph: (03) 9268 6400

Email: info@lgpro.com Website: www.lgpro.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN

ADW Design www.adwdesign.com.au

From the LGPro President & CEO

Our opportunity to reflect on the pacesetters and trailblazers creating the future of our sector.

The last issue of Profile pointed out the intensifying pace of the year, and it really didn’t end up slowing. We’re consciously slowing down in this issue to reflect on the rising stars and high achievers in our sector, while revisiting the significant changes that have kept us busy these last few months.

With the Local Government Amendment Act in force and its supporting regulations now in play, we have all felt the effects on our councillor induction programs. What we now await are the long term and hopefully positive effects on health and safety in our organisations. In these pages, we recount the journey LGPro took in advocating for this change.

We also recount the journeys of LGPro members at various stages of their careers and across the wide-ranging professions that make up our workforce. From our communications departments to our events teams right through to the operators behind our internal services like ICT, we’re using these pages as a mirror to our sector and our diverse membership.

To follow their exemplary lead, you’ll find the key dates behind all of LGPro’s major events and professional development opportunities in this magazine so that you can plan out your development goals for the year ahead. You can also prepare submissions for more than 20 awards across the four different programs linked in the pages of this issue.

With more on offer from your member association than ever before, we recommend you bookmark this issue. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy the Summer edition of your member magazine.

Inc.

“We’re using these pages as a mirror to our sector and our diverse membership.”

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Council advocates f ind their voice

As costs mount in the business of local government, councils are getting more vocal. A new community dedicated to advocacy is helping them find their voices.

Travis Fitzgibbon is not just the Manager of Communications and Advocacy at Macedon Ranges Shire Council – he’s also an award-winning broadcaster whose voice you might recognise if you’re partial to the AFL.

Travis is now helping council officers find their voices in a new Special Interest Group dedicated to advocacy.

We caught up with Travis to find out who it’s for and how it’ll help.

“LGPro membership has been an incredibly effective and valuable part of my professional development.”
Travis Fitzgibbon awarded on behalf of Buloke Shire Council for Outstanding Small Rural Council Initiative at the 2024 Awards for Excellence Dinner

What’s the value of communities of practice like the Special Interest Group Network?

Special Interest Groups give local government peers a safe space to share and explore. As someone who has worked at two rural councils, opportunities to network and share knowledge is invaluable as a lot of people are in small teams or even sole practitioners in their organisations.

The professional development that arises from such exposure is of great value for that officer and by extension the community they are working for.

What is the Advocacy Special Interest Group? What’s the local government context that has prompted this?

In an environment of rate capping and cost-shifting, assisting others in the sector to accelerate the sector's maturity in the advocacy space and to develop a community of practice is essential.

Its mission is to develop a deeper understanding of advocacy practice by sharing and learning from one another.

Anyone who leads advocacy work in councils, or whose role involves advocacy to other levels of government and funding bodies, is encouraged to join.

There is already a ‘Comms & Digital’ Special Interest Group; how is this Advocacy group different?

The Advocacy Special Interest Group aims to be the 'go to' group for all things relating to advocacy and to provide a safe and inclusive space for practitioners to share their specific knowledge.

Whilst there is no doubt there many officers working in the communications realm who would be interested in joining an Advocacy Special Interest Group, the advocacy remit runs deeper and touches many parts of a council’s workforce, to the point of some establishing dedicated advocacy roles.

The group would focus on:

• Building a network of advocacy professionals in the local government sector

• Sharing, learning and supporting each other

• Uplifting capability and maturity in this space in the sector.

Travis Fitzgibbon and the Buloke Shire Council team awarded for Outstanding Small Rural Council Initiative at the 2024 Awards for Excellence Dinner
“Special Interest Groups give local government peers a safe space to share and explore.”

As such a proactive LGPro member, what has been the value of your LGPro membership?

LGPro membership has been an incredibly effective and valuable part of my professional development. My membership has exposed me to fabulous programs and resources in each of the Executive Leadership, Mastering Management and Mentoring Programs.

Most importantly, these opportunities and other events have introduced me to industry leaders who are incredibly giving and collegial – that’s where the real learnings and value lies.

The inclusive nature LGPro’s programs, events and awards are a fantastic way to connect, achieve and progress in Local Government.

Travis Fitzgibbon during the 2022 Executive Leadership Program

Where next? A manager’s local government journey

With management programs opening up for 2025, LGPro asks a Mastering Management grad how the program influenced their career.

Mozma Tate – second from the left – accepting LGPro's 2022 Corporate Planners Network Award

Mozma Tate is the Service Planning Lead at Baw Baw Shire Council, having worked in local government for 21 years across a diversity of roles, recently flexing her senior leadership capabilities at South Gippsland Shire Council as the former Manager of Community Health and Safety.

We speak with the Mastering Management graduate to find out where her career is heading now and how the program has helped her in that journey.

“I learnt from a diverse range of leaders that I look up to that you don’t really plan your career in local government and that you generally fall into things.”
Pictured centre: Mozma Tate at a Mastering Management program session
“Mastering Management was a robust and insightful program which allowed me to develop and stretch my senior leadership knowledge.”
program session

Where are you in your career now and where are you heading?

I think what I have realised is that my career in local government, to me, is about making a difference to community, working with a great team, and as… ahem… I am getting older, the flexibility of work-life balance.

Those who know me know that I have in my career what I colloquially refer to as the “bucket list of local government” which has included collaborating and delivering great

outcomes for community (tick), working on meaningful projects (tick), stepping into leadership roles (tick), stepping into a senior leadership role (which I recently did and may pursue again in the not-too-distant future), working for rural shires (which I have most recently embarked on), working for the municipality I live in (which I have only recently ticked by coming to Baw Baw Shire), and continuing to evolve my sense of self, my place in local government, and how and where I can truly make a positive difference.

Mozma Tate at a Mastering Management

I also have on my list to be on the LGPro Board one day in the future – so watch this space!

In terms of where I am heading, I learnt from a diverse range of leaders that I look up to that you don’t really plan your career in local government and that you generally fall into things. And that is so true to how my career has been.

For now, I have an amazing opportunity with a wonderful and innovative team here at Baw Baw Shire who are undertaking super innovative work in the strategy and transformation space and really planning for the future in relation to service delivery for our community (which I happen to be a part of – and that makes it so meaningful and special for me).

What (and who) has helped you get to where you are now?

Oh, there are so many people I could name here that have helped me get to where I am now, from incredible CEOs and Directors to Managers and Team Leaders to colleagues and staff. Everyone that has crossed my path has made a significant impact on my journey in local government. These individuals have believed in me, provided wise and sage words of wisdom, taught me what I know, and simply been there for me and had my back. Without these individuals, I would simply not be where I am today.

I think both what and who has helped me get to where I am now is the people of local government – people in terms of the community we serve, people in terms of the teams and staff I work with, people who have empowered and provided me with outstanding leadership, people who given me the gift of growth, people who have challenged me or pushed my boundaries (secretly unaware that they have helped me learn lessons the hard way), so that I can be my most respectful, resilient, and best self.

“Both what and who has helped me get to where I am now is the people of local government.”

What was the impact of Mastering Management here, and what was the highlight of your experience in the program?

Mastering Management was a robust and insightful program which allowed me to develop and stretch my senior leadership knowledge. I think, for me, the resources, insights, and growth provided taught me that senior leadership skills are not only applied to managing and leading teams but are also applied to undertaking and leading projects. The Leaders Canvas and exploring what makes me and my leadership style was particularly useful, as it allowed me to tangibly see what makes me me!

I also found the Peer Consulting tool particularly useful in unpacking complex and challenging issues and gaining varying perspectives.

I think the highlight was the networking and two-day residential which allowed me to form connections and go on a senior leadership journey with others, many of whom I still keep in contact with today.

It was great to learn alongside peers from different councils and to hear some of the same challenges we are all facing, such as financial sustainability, delivering services with minimal resources, attracting and retaining talent (especially for rural shire councils, which I appreciate even more so now having experience at them) and wider social, economic, and environmental issues.

What’s unique about the experience of working in a rural council, and how do you expect serving the community you live in now will impact you?

I think what is unique about the experience of working in a rural council in particular is the impact of services on community, delivering services with very little resources, how community themselves play an important part in delivering these, and how innovation and continuous improvement is undertaken organically.

I read once on a LinkedIn post that “metro councils could learn a lot from rural councils” and this is all too true.

Now having worked at both, the way rural councils operate is outstanding and eye-opening. There is an organic efficiency and effectiveness that exists – they just do because they have to, and it is super insightful and refreshing to see!

In terms of serving the community I live within now, knowing that what I do on a day-to-day basis, the people I collaborate with, and the projects I contribute to at a strategic level are all contributing to the place I live, work, and grow in and the community I am a part of is just special! I am part of a team who is helping shape Baw Baw Shire!

“Everyone that has crossed my path has made a significant impact on my journey in local government.”
Mozma Tate with the first Mastering Management cohort for 2024

What has been the value of your LGPro membership in this journey?

I have been a long-term member of LGPro, and LGPro has played a special part in my local government journey. From being a convenor on SIG groups and undertaking courses such as Mentoring and Mastering Management to judging the Awards for Excellence, LGPro has played a part in the deep knowledge I have about the sector. LGPro has truly allowed me grow and I say thank you, LGPro!

Mastering Management is the next step in leadership for managers before senior leadership programs like the Executive Leadership Program. Registrations are now open for the next program beginning in 2025.

Find out more about Mastering Management at LGPro.com

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LGPro CORPORATE PARTNER DIRECTORY 2024/25

CORPORATE PARTNERS

(listed in the directory in alphabetical order)

Beam Billing Bureau

Camden Search

Customer Service Benchmarking

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CT Management Group

Davidson Group

Duxton Hill

Fisher Leadership

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HR Legal Hunt & Hunt

iPlatinum

JLT

Kernow

Local Government Experts – Julie Reid

Julie A. Reid & Associates

Maddocks Lawyers

McArthur

Melbourne Water

Moray & Agnew Lawyers

Peter Berry Consulting

PKF

PM Partners

Productivity Matters

Push My Button

Redman Solutions

Russell Kennedy Lawyers

Skefto

SpacetoCo

Steople

SurePact

Symphony3

Teletrac Navman

Telstra

Vision Super

Votar Partners

Warner Institute

Well Done International

WID Factor

LGPro is grateful for the support it receives from its Corporate Partners. The following pages contain advertisements submitted by LGPro’s 2024/25 Corporate Partners. Please take a moment to learn about the many services, programs, and products these organisations offer to the Local Government sector.

Providing

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Passion for public service: An emerging leader’s career path

As LGPro looks for new emerging leaders, we retrace the journey of an ambitious leader in the making to find out what impact professional development has made.

We caught up with Yohana Jury, Coordinator Festivals and Events at Greater Dandenong City Council, to learn how various training programs have propelled her through different roles and new stages of her career.

You took on the Ignite program back in 2019 and have just graduated from the Emerging Leaders Program. Where were you in your career and leadership journey then, where are you now, and where are you heading?

As I reflect on my leadership journey, I'm grateful for the foundational skills I gained through the Ignite leadership program. This opportunity perfectly timed with my transition into an Acting Team Leader role at Youth and Family Services in the City of Greater Dandenong.

Fast forward to my current position as Coordinator of Festivals and Events, I'm committed to continuing my growth and development. While I'm focused on mastering my current role, I'm also eager to explore future opportunities that will enable me to broaden my expertise and contribute to the organisation in new and meaningful ways.

I'm excited about the prospect of taking on new challenges, potentially through secondment opportunities or acting up roles, and I look forward to continuing my journey of growth and leadership within the council.

What were the highlights of your experiences in these two programs?

My leadership program journey with LGPro began with the Ignite program, which provided a foundational understanding of leadership principles in Local Government, particularly in staff management. While Ignite was a valuable introduction to leadership, I felt that the participant group was at varying stages of their professional development.

The Emerging Leaders Program, on the other hand, has been a game-changer for me. The carefully curated cohort of participants has fostered a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. We're all navigating similar challenges and aspirations, which has created a safe and supportive environment for open discussion and learning. The program's access to CEOs and Directors from various councils has been invaluable, offering unique insights into their experiences, successes, and setbacks.

These interactions have not only broadened my understanding of Local Government issues but also instilled in me the confidence to tackle complex challenges. Moreover, the connections I've formed with fellow emerging leaders have been truly enriching, providing a network of supportive peers who share my passion for public service.

“I’m confident that the Ignite and Emerging Leaders Programs will continue to play a significant role in shaping my career journey.”
“I’m excited about the prospect of taking on new challenges.”

How do you expect these programs will help you in your career journey going forward?

Ignite and the Emerging Leaders Programs have been instrumental in shaping my leadership skills and broadening my understanding of Local Government’s leaders. As I continue on my career journey, I expect these programs to have a lasting impact in several ways.

Firstly, both programs have equipped me with a strong foundation in leadership principles, staff management, and strategic thinking. These skills will enable me to effectively lead and manage teams, drive projects forward, and contribute to the organisation.

Secondly, both programs have provided me with a valuable network of peers and mentors who share my passion for public service. This network will be invaluable as I navigate future challenges and opportunities, and I'm confident that it will continue to inspire and support me throughout my career.

Lastly, the programs have instilled in me a stronger growth mindset and a desire for continuous learning and development. As I take on new challenges and responsibilities in the future, I'm excited to apply the skills and knowledge I've gained through these programs and continue to grow as a leader.

Overall, I'm confident that the Ignite and Emerging Leaders Programs will continue to play a significant role in shaping my career journey, enabling me to make a positive impact in our organisation and the community we serve.

“Being a participant in the Ignite and Emerging Leaders Programs… has been pivotal in shaping my leadership skills.”
“My

What has been the value of your LGPro membership in this journey?

My LGPro membership has been a valuable investment in my professional development. LGPro membership has provided me with access to high-quality professional development programs, networking opportunities, and a community of like-minded professionals (not to mention at a discounted rate as well).

Being a participant in the Ignite and Emerging Leaders Programs, both delivered by LGPro, has been pivotal in shaping my leadership skills and broadening my understanding of Local Government.

These programs have not only equipped me with practical skills and knowledge but also provided me with a valuable network of peers and mentors.

Beyond these programs, my LGPro membership has also given me access to a range of resources, including workshops, webinars, and online and face to face forums. These resources have enabled me to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in Local Government, and to connect with other professionals who share my interests and challenges.

We are a team of experienced workplace relations and safety lawyers continuing to achieve positive results for local government clients.

• Employment contracts, including for banded employees, executives and senior officers

• Workplace investigations

• Enterprise agreement negotiations

• Dealing with injured workers and safety incidents

• Litigation including unfair dismissal, general protections and discrimination claims

• Advice about disciplinary action and termination

• Child safety matters

• Workplace training including appropriate workplace behaviour and Respect@Work

• Union issues regarding right of entry and industrial action Areas of Law that HR Legal Regularly Supports Councils With

We listen, we provide solutions, you get results. Visit our website or follow us on LinkedIn for employment law updates and insights: www.hrlegal.com.au HR Legal - Australia

Dan Feldman Managing Partner
Georgie Chapman Partner
David Sztrajt Partner
Nikola Prestia Partner
Fleur Calvert Special Counsel
Anat Hirsh Special Counsel
Nathaniel Ganeson Senior Associate
Rohan Ajzensztat Associate
Emily Durack Lawyer
Jenny McPherson Lawyer

Reform in review: Revisiting

One year and one Summer edition of Profile ago, we reviewed how LGPro’s advocacy retrace our steps to the introduction of new governance and conduct legislation

LGPro meets with the Minister for Local Government to discuss issues of culture in Councils.

Minister commissions a review and discussion paper on behaviour and culture in Councils.

Minister commissions the Local Government Culture Project.

LGPro articulates its formal position on culture as part of its Advocacy Agenda.

LGPro submits its case for legislation reform to address Councillor misconduct to Minister.

LGPro explains its case for legislative reform to address Councillor misconduct in media campaign.

LGPro investigation organisational culture

Minister Local to coordinate Governance Action and

2020 MAY 2021 OCT 2022 JAN 2024 MAR 2023 FEB 2023 FEB 2024 AUG 2021 FEB 2022 NOV 2023

Minister announces reforms to be introduced before the October 2024 local government elections.

LGPro calls for extended consultation phase on proposed reforms alongside sector peak bodies.

LGPro works with revise proposed reforms addressing conduct, resolution, oversight.

Revisiting how we got here

LGPro releases investigation into organisational culture in Councils.

Minister writes to LGPro announcing the Local Government Culture Project Insights Report, identifying required actions to improve culture and councillor behaviour including governance reforms.

Minister writes to LGPro notifying that Local Government Victoria instructed coordinate the Local Government Governance and Accountability Action Plan to address governance accountability issues.

APR 2023 OCT 2024 MAY 2023 JUL 2023 FEB 2022 MAY 2022 AUG 2022

• LGPro releases Council culture explanatory video series.

• LGPro submits culture review recommendations to Minister.

Local Government Inspectorate writes to LGPro announcing Councillor Conduct Framework Examination requesting feedback on efficacy of the framework.

IBAC tables

Operation Sandon special report with governance reform recommendations.

advocacy propelled Council culture onto the state agenda. One year on, we now legislation and regulations that are now in force. AUG 2024

LGV to reforms conduct, dispute oversight.

The Local Government Amendment (Governance and Integrity) Act 2024 introduced.

Regulations addressing a model code of conduct, internal resolution, mandatory councillor training introduced ahead of elections.

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The IT pro bridging digital divides

A long-term LGPro member has brought a new association across the water to bridge the gap between local government’s people and its tech.

“Councils are not in competition with one another and so there are more opportunities to share than in the private sector.”

We recently caught up with Justine Resta, an experienced program manager and transformation leader with over a decade of experience in project leadership across local government. Justine is now the president of a new association that has come across from New Zealand: the Association of Local Government Information Management, or ALGIM.

From Geelong to Casey, Justine brings extensive expertise in implementing governance, data management, employee experience, and customer experience frameworks in local governments, with a passion for building partnerships and cross-collaboration initiatives across the sector.

Pictured left – Justine Resta at LGPro's 2019 Annual Conference.

Tell us about ALGIM and the local government context that brought this over to Australia.

ALGIM is a non-profit committed to bridging the gap in various disciplines such as ICT, information management, customer experience, digital communications, GIS, and smart communities across councils nationwide. The local government sector is often faced with resource challenges, particularly in IT and internal services.

ALGIM is determined to address these gaps by fostering connections and encouraging councils to share their insights and experiences.

Local government is one of the best sectors to be a part of, having a direct impact on our communities. Councils are not in competition with one another and so there are more opportunities to share than in the private sector. With little funding, especially within IT disciplines and other internal services, there has always been opportunity to work together more effectively.

A group of passionate local government employees who had a strong belief in collaboration and ensuring the sector works better together got together to look at ways to make this happen. There was an opportunity to build a community that has a strong focus on developing and sharing standardised policies, sharing resources, and facilitating collaborative projects.

“I love the local government sector and I realised early in my career that there are so many opportunities to provide value.”
Pictured left – Justine Resta awarded at LGPro's 2018 Annual Conference.

As a participant in LGPro Special Interest Groups and now looking at bringing people together through ALGIM, what do you see as the value of communities of practice?

ALGIM Australia will be establishing several communities of practice including Data and Insights, Cyber Security, and Customer Journeys and Process Improvement as a starting point. These platforms will serve not only as hubs for conversation and innovation but also as catalysts for the collective development of standards and best practices.

Inspired by successful initiatives by ALGIM New Zealand like their Process Standardisation project, our aim is to replicate this in Australia, ensuring councils have access to valuable insights and resources tailored to their unique challenges.

To ensure no one is excluded from these discussions and opportunities, all Australian councils can participate but there are added benefits to member councils. We see LGPro’s Special Interest Groups as a way to tap into the same passionate people and will work alongside LGPro to do this as effectively as possible.

You’ve been to a decade’s worth of Annual Conferences – what’s changed in the information management space in that time?

What a question! The main thing I have witnessed is that technology is moving so fast, customers expect more from us, and local government is finding it difficult to keep up with the fast pace of those changes. I have seen councils that do really well and have lots of funding to do what needs to be done to address some of those challenges, and the other side where smaller councils with little to no resources and funding miss out or are left behind.

I’ve seen the evolution of the conversations at all of the conferences and how the focus has shifted over the years. Areas such as ICT, tech delivery, and customer and information records management were once specialised disciplines, whereas now nearly every staff member needs to have a minimum level of capability in all of these fields. All organisations should be ensuring that all of their staff have a capability uplift in these areas, and they should be everyone’s responsibility in their day-to-day operations.

Noting your proactive involvement in activities like these and associations like LGPro and ALGIM, what has been the value of association membership for you?

For me, I love the local government sector and I realised early in my career that there are so many opportunities to provide value – not just within the council I was working for but in the richness of the networks and relationships with counterparts at other councils.

Local government is not competitive or commercial, so sharing is one of the biggest things we can leverage to keep costs down for our communities and ratepayers. Councils share the same challenges and to be able to speak with someone from another council on all of the good, the bad, and the ugly can really help when you’re struggling with a work problem or how to approach a project or activity.

Whilst being an extreme introvert, participating and joining in with professional associations really does provide that next level of value, where those associations actually have staff whose sole focus is to provide sector support, facilitate events and networking opportunities, provide access to professional development and shared and scalable projects – it’s such a missed opportunity not tapping into what is a massive return on investment on the small cost of those memberships.

“Whilst being an extreme introvert, participating and joining in with professional associations really does provide that next level of value.”

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2025 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Pride March 2 February 2025

March with peers from across Victorian Local Government in the annual LGBTIQA+ Pride March as part of the Midsumma festival.

CEO + Directors Forum 7 March 2025 in Whittlesea 19 June 2025 in Geelong

An executive forum addressing the topical issues affecting the sector from a Chief Executive Officer and Director perspective.

Australasian Management Challenge

Registrations close 17 February 2025 Victorian event on 2 April 2025

Annual Conference 4-5 June 2025

A simulation-based team building and management program using real-world local government scenarios that senior management teams typically encounter.

The premier professional development and networking event of the Victorian Local Government calendar.

Positive Ageing and Wellbeing Awards

Customer Experience Award

Community and Integrated Planning Award

Nominations close 10 February 2025

Nominations close 17 February 2025

Awards that reflect local governments’ refocus from service delivery to capacity building in promoting health and wellbeing, striving for an age-friendly society.

Recognising customer service innovation that enhances the overall customer experience, from exceptional service delivery to commitments to customer satisfaction.

Nominations close 24 February 2025

Celebrating the success of individuals and teams working in the local government integrated planning space.

2025 Awards for Excellence Nominations close 3 March 2025

LGPro’s flagship awards program spanning 15 awards including two new categories: Digital and Technology and Disaster Readiness and Recovery.

JANUARY–JUNE 2025

LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT CALENDAR

Ignite enables those without formal experience in managing and leading people to develop the competencies required to be successful in their role.

Targeted to outdoor workers without formal experience in managing and leading people to develop skills required to be successful in their role.

Unique leadership-focused activities and experiences designed to develop and inspire emerging leaders.

Registrations for Series 1 now open. Program commences February 2025

Designed exclusively to expand and develop the skills of senior executives to become confident and capable leaders.

Registrations for Series 1 now open. Program commences March 2025.

Designed to equip managers with the skills and knowledge they require to further develop their career.

2025 nominations closed

A cross-council program bringing together officers from all levels and locations to learn from each other by sharing knowledge, expertise, and skills.

2025 nominations closed

Webinars are held weekly from January onwards (excl. school holidays and conference weeks) PROGRAM INFORMATION

Thought-provoking ideas and sector insights from highly regarded presenters in regular lunchtime learning opportunities.

Registrations for Series 1 now open. Program commences February 2025.

Registrations now open. Program commences March 2025.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Introduction to Local Government

Writing for Influence in Local Government

Project Management Initiation

Advanced Project Management

AI Fundamentals

Risk Management Fundamentals

Leading Change Effectively

Mental Health and Managing Complex Performance

Strategic Planning and Decision Making – Applied

Grant Writing for Local Government

Governance in Action

An overview to Local Government and the important role it plays for newcomers to the sector.

Providing anyone creating Council reports with the nuance behind writing a good report.

An introduction to project management covering the basic principles of managing projects.

This is the next stage of learning for those who have begun managing projects.

Best practice application of AI technologies like GenAI to improve efficiency and effectiveness and how councils are currently using the various applications available.

A foundational overview of risk management for those new to risk management with limited or no experience in the space.

A workshop teaching participants how to enhance resilience, navigate complexity, and lead through transformational challenges.

Teaching leaders the processes they need to follow in sensitive performance management.

A more nuanced exploration of the requirements of the Local Government Act 2020 and creating the conditions for success for both Council and the administration.

An exploration of the resources local governments need to have in place to develop a successful strike rate in their grant applications.

A best practice workshop on governance and decision making in the local government context for managers, new governance officers, and those aspiring to governance positions.

DATES

Online: 26 February, 23 April

In-person: 12 February, 19 March

Regional: 11 March

Online: 13 May

In-person: 1 April, 30 May

Regional: 12 March

Online: 18 February, 25 March, 21 May

In-person: 21 March, 12 June

Online: 14 February, 30 April

Online: 7 February, 2 April

Online: 29 April

In-person: 18 March

In-person: 25 February, 19 June

In-person and online: 29 April + 14 May

In-person: 18 March

Online: 29 April

In-person: 19 February, 13 May

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