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  • 24 Sep 2024 10:55 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This month we spoke with Chloe Brown, Accountant - Financial Management, Yorke Peninsula Council, about her role, her recent participation in the Strategic Management Program, and what's next in her professional development journey.

    What is your role and how long have you been in local government?

    At Yorke Peninsula Council, I’m an Accountant – Financial Management, which means my biggest priorities are long term financial plans, budgets and general financial tasks. This year, I also had the opportunity to assist with Councils’ rate review process. My direct reports in this role include an Accounts Payable Officer, and a Finance Officer, so my weeks are usually quite interesting and diverse. My time in council has spanned eleven years and counting.

    You recently participated in the LG Professionals SA Strategic Management Program; how would you describe your experience?

    The Strategic Management Program was a great experience, with a balanced mix of in person learning and virtual learning, which was very helpful to me as a regional attendee. We had an excellent group of people, all with diverse backgrounds and roles within our respective council’s; this allowed for even more learning opportunities from my peers themselves. The topics we covered in the program were relevant to local government and flowed together beautifully.

    What’s your biggest takeaway from the program? What advice would you give to others considering this program?

    My biggest takeaway was to push my thinking to consider things from all sides - not everything can come down to dollars and cents (which is how my world works a lot), to think strategically, and to use the tools available to further your thinking. The Strategic Management Program provides different tools and perspectives to assist with this. You will also have the opportunity to think differently from the relationships you form with others participating in the program. One of the most valuable things about this program was not only learning from the lecturers, but from each other as well.

    Give it a shot, even if you only take away a few learnings, you will gain great connections from those who are on the journey with you. My only advice is to take a considered approach to the planning and time required for assignments, as it can take a lot but is worth it in the end.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    To take opportunities as they arise, continue to grow, and to develop as a person and an employee.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    I really enjoy reading, walking my dog, Bess, and enjoying the outdoors. I’m also passionate about playing and watching sport and spending time with my friends and family. 

  • 16 Aug 2024 11:40 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    This month we spoke with Josh Fraser, Aquatic Services Team Leader, City of Tea Tree Gully, about his role, winning the Australasian Management Challenge and what's next for him. 

    How long have you been in local government and what is your role?

    I have been in local government in the role of Aquatic Services Team Leader at Waterworld Aquatic Centre for over two years, starting out with the City of Tea Tree Gully as a casual at Waterworld in 2017. As a part of my role, I am responsible for overseeing 50+ Lifeguards and Duty Managers, while ensuring the operations, safety standards and cleanliness of our facility are up to standard.

    What does a typical day look like for you?

    A typical day varies depending on the time of year. As I am based at Waterworld Aquatic Centre, during the summertime I am fully focussed on our operational requirements - maintaining a safe facility through the leadership of our lifeguard team, ensuring effective pool supervision, maintaining a clean facility and ensuring water quality is within acceptable ranges.

    Being Adelaide’s largest and busiest outdoor centre, Waterworld can have up to 3,000 patrons within the facility at one time. It is our mission that every person who exits the centre leaves as happy and healthy as they entered.

    During winter, it is all about preparation for the summer season. Through this time, I organise and oversee maintenance on the facility, review and implement training plans and procedures, and any other professional development associated with my role.

    You participated in the Local Government Management Challenge this year. After winning the State Challenge your team ‘LeGully Blonde’ represented SA at the Australasian Management Challenge Final earlier this month, where you were crowned joint National Champions! Congratulations on the win, can you share some reflections from this experience?

    The overall experience at both State and National Challenges were amazing! The state event was a bit of “going into the unknown”, however, our entire team came together and prepared incredibly well. We knew part of our success would come from putting in a clear structure from the word “GO”, with weekly meetings, training and development and mock challenges all scheduled in advance. Tuesday afternoons became our “Management Challenge Afternoon”.

    We went in confident, yet hesitant about what the day may bring, but once the challenges dropped the team worked so well together, stuck to our process and were rewarded a month later at the LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. It was an incredible feeling at the time, with the underlying tone of “we’re going to have to do it all again”.

    As a team of naturally high achievers, we were confident that our process worked and focused on further developing our knowledge gaps in the buildup to the National Challenge. The City of Tea Tree Gully and our respective teams were so supportive and allowed us to pack in as much development and cross collaboration from as many aspects of council as we could into the couple of months before we jetted off to Brisbane.

    Once there, you could just see why each team won their respective State, Territory or New Zealand competition. Each team represented their state with flair, and there was a Welcome Reception the day before the Challenge, so we were able to spend time getting to know one another and connect in a very unique circumstance.

    Whilst the tasks at Nationals were more difficult than States, and with more strategic elements, the team settled into the rhythm of the day and worked diligently to their strengths. We finished the day exhausted, content and with no idea of how we went.

    At the presentation lunch the next day, the team and I waited in anticipation for the results. Knowing how fierce the competition was, we were content with the achievement of making it to Nationals and as the first team from the City of Tea Tree Gully to ever do so. When we were announced as joint winners, the feeling of excitement and relief was immense!

    Reflecting back on the whole process, I’m proud and grateful for the incredible opportunity to develop my leadership skills and understanding of the diversity of issues and tasks that local government encounters on a day-to-day basis - winning both titles was just a nice cherry on top! However, the credit must go to the rest of the LeGully Blonde team - each member was integral to our success. As a team, we were strong and as a team we were able to achieve success.

    What would be your advice to others thinking of participating in the Management Challenge?

    Sign up and get your name in the draw! If you’re relatively new to council, this opportunity allows for such a quick learning process into the intricacies of local government. It challenges you to step into areas foreign to you and your role yet has a variety of tasks to also allow individuals to show their skills and talents in their respective roles.

    If you do get the opportunity to do this challenge, make sure you go in with an open mind and the flexibility to turn your hand to whatever task you may be given. Make sure to put your full effort into it, and by doing that, you will get the best results individually and as a collective.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    My next step is to finish my university degree! I have ten weeks left and I am looking forward to having that off my plate.

    I also aspire to look into a couple of additional short courses in the aquatic training realm, before most likely going on to study a Masters, part time, while I continue at the City of Tea Tree Gully.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    I am a triathlete and adventure athlete, so love the outdoors, training and competing. I have Ironman Western Australia coming up in December, so training is just about building back up to full force in the next couple of months.

    I also enjoy spending time with my fiancé, friends and family - we’re very active so love spending time paddle boarding, going on coffee rides/walks/runs, and heading up to the river when I get the opportunity.


  • 24 Jul 2024 1:00 PM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Lucy Reynolds, People and Culture Support Officer, City of Mitcham, about her role, professional development and what's next for her.

    What is your role and how long have you been in local government?

    My role is People & Culture Support Officer at the City of Mitcham. I work as a generalist support within the People & Culture team, assisting with recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, and employee relations. I started out at City of Mitcham as a Graduate through our Grad Program with Flinders University. In December this year I will reach my five-year milestone of working in Local Government.

    In February this year you participated in the LG Professionals SA Women’s Career Navigator Program; how would you describe your experience?

    I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I registered to attend the LG Professionals SA Women’s Career Navigator Program. It came at a time when I was feeling a bit lost in both my professional and personal life. The program ended up being one of the highlights of my local government career so far. I found the program incredibly fulfilling, and it helped me to better understand what I wanted from my career and how to navigate it with a ‘Growth Mindset’. I would highly recommend this program for all local government women no matter the stage of their career. We had participants of all ages and all professional levels. The program will leave you feeling powerful, positive and in-control of your career and life.  

    You recently attended the 2024 People and Culture Network Conference, what was your biggest takeaway from the day?

    The People & Culture Network Conferences are always a great time with this year’s being no exception! My biggest takeaway from the day came from Samantha Young, CEO of Human Psychology. Her presentation on how councils can better utilise and promote their EAP services really resonated with me as I have a keen interest in promoting a culture of wellbeing, and with the external pressures we are all facing I think it’s the perfect time to instil Samantha’s suggestions.  

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    I would love to develop my career within the People & Culture field, aspiring to be a Business Partner or Senior Advisor. I care deeply about wellbeing and mental health so would love to focus on these subjects, too. I think further education is on the horizon and definitely more professional development. I just want to say ‘yes’ to everything and better myself each day.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    What is ‘free time’? Kidding! I love spending time with my husband and son, Teddy, and our fur babies Maeby and Timmy. I also enjoy training at the gym, reading, and my ultimate guilty pleasure, watching trashy reality TV! Love Island and Real Housewives are my go-to at the moment for some good, fun mindless TV.


  • 14 Jun 2024 10:33 AM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Andrew Hall, Arborist, Tree Maintenance, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, about his role, professional development and what's next for him. 

    What is your role and how long have you been in local government?

    I have worked in local government for four and a half years. In my current role as an arborist, I lead and participate in the maintenance of our city’s trees within our parks, gardens, and sporting grounds. I also contribute to the community by making our city cleaner, safer, and a better place to live and work.

    You are part of the recently formed LG Professionals SA Field Services Development Working Group. Can you share with us the aim of this working group and why you wanted to be involved?

    The Field Services Development Working Group aims to provide guidance, advice, and support to LG Professionals SA in communicating with and curating relevant opportunities for field staff employees. I joined this working group because I am passionate about improving field staff knowledge and skills. If we can help and support field staff by providing a wider variety of training and exposing them to a broader scope of local government, it will benefit them in their current positions and future roles they aspire to. This would be advantageous for both the field staff and the council they work for.

    You participated in the Australasian Management Challenge this year. How would you describe your experience? What was your biggest takeaway?

    When I applied and was accepted into the management challenge team for my council, I didn’t know what to expect. However, after completing the event, I realised it was the best decision. It helped me build confidence, gain knowledge, and meet other people to learn from. The experience on the day was a significant learning curve, with the pressure of completing tasks in short time frames, the excellent teamwork among all teams, and the support everyone provided to each other. It felt like a safe place to step out of your comfort zone.

    The biggest takeaway from the management challenge is the confidence, knowledge, and further opportunities it has given me, such as participating in the Field Services Development Working Group.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Leadership Management to enhance my leadership skills and assist in applying for future leadership roles within the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council. Additionally, I plan to undertake a Diploma in Arboriculture to further my knowledge of the arboriculture industry.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    The most important thing I enjoy is spending time with my kids and my partner. I also have a passion for toy collecting, especially Star Wars, MOTU, Wrestling, and Hot Wheels. I like to go to toy fairs, swap meets, and hunt for that piece I am looking to add to my collection. You could call me a bit of a nerd.


  • 20 May 2024 11:29 AM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Miranda Hampton, Senior Community Resilience Officer, Adelaide Hills Council, about her role and recently being awarded the Excellence in Emergency Management / Disaster Recovery Award at the
    LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. 

    What is your role?

    In my role as Senior Community Resilience Officer, I'm privileged to oversee the Community Resilience Team at Adelaide Hills Council. Together we are working with our local community and partnering organisations including the CFS and the Australian Red Cross, to improve local preparedness for future emergencies and recovery processes in the Adelaide Hills.

    How long have you been in local government?

    I have worked in community development, recovery and resilience in local government for more than seven years.

    Congratulations! You and your team recently won the Excellence in Emergency Management / Disaster Recovery Award at the LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards. Can you tell us about your project?

    The Towards Community Led Emergency Resilience project builds on our learnings through the Cudlee Creek and Cherry Gardens bushfires. Through working closely with our community, it became apparent that there were gaps in how council and our community were preparing for disasters and subsequent recovery processes. The project is mindful of the unique preparedness needs of cohorts within our community, including children, families and people with a lived experience of disability. The project has included the delivery of community led disaster resilience workshops in partnership with the Red Cross and a grants program to assist local halls to operate as community support hubs following disasters. This project has also allowed us to review and significantly improve our own internal processes, including the development of a Recovery Operations Manual and Bushfire Mitigation Strategy.

    What does winning this award mean to you, your council, and your community?

    This award has provided a wonderful opportunity to share with our community that we are listening; to their experiences, their insights and their ideas, to improve our collective preparedness for future emergencies. It validates putting energy into trying new approaches based on evidence, staff learnings and community engagement. It also demonstrates the value of working in partnership with community and agencies, to address complex problems together. Hopefully it will help to shine a spotlight on the benefits of investing in preparedness and building local resilience. 

    What advice would you give someone considering nominating for an award in the future?

    Be brave and go for it. A nomination helps to further important conversations for all councils through the sharing of your experience. It is also a great opportunity to provide acknowledgement to all staff members involved in the work.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    I enjoy spending time with my husband, children and friends in the great outdoors - camping, walking and star gazing. I also love growing flowers and vegetables, working at my wheel throwing clay and listening to audio books.

  • 29 Apr 2024 11:17 AM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Lucas Trevisan - City Planning Coordinator, Whyalla City Council, about his role, professional development and what's next for him. 

    How long have you been in local government and what is your role?

    My journey in local government began four years ago, when I started at Port Augusta City Council. For the first two years, I honed my skills as a planning officer, gaining valuable experience in the intricacies of the planning process. Looking to broaden my horizons, I then transitioned to Whyalla City Council, where I continued to thrive in the planning officer role for another two years. Recently, I'm thrilled to share that I've been promoted to the role of City Planning Coordinator! I'm energised by this new challenge and excited to leverage my experience for the benefit of Whyalla City Council.

    What does a typical day look like for you?

    A typical day for me involves a healthy mix of tasks that keep things interesting. The core of my role lies in the day-to-day assessment of residential, commercial, and industrial developments. This involves carefully reviewing applications, ensuring they comply with the relevant code performance outcomes. While this meticulous analysis is essential, a truly fulfilling aspect of my role comes when I'm invited to participate in strategic-level meetings. Being part of these discussions allows me to contribute my planning expertise to shaping the future of Whyalla. It's a privilege to see the bigger picture and use my knowledge to help guide long-term decision-making.

    You recently participated in the Australasian Management Challenge, how would you describe your experience?

    The Australasian Management Challenge was an intense experience that tested our limits and kept everyone on their toes! There were moments of high stress, as we tackled each task as they came in—often coming down to the line. But woven throughout the day were moments of camaraderie and laughter. The Whyalla team was truly amazing. We bonded closely as we strategised together, pushing each other to think outside the box or just simply reassess. Looking back, I'm most grateful for the sense of teamwork and the friendships forged in that pressure cooker environment. The Challenge wasn't just about competition; it was about growth. I believe each member of the team emerged with valuable insights and sharpened skills. Personally, I'm excited to see how this experience propels everyone forward in their local government careers!

    2024 was the first year Whyalla City Council has participated in the Australasian Management Challenge, what would be your advice to others thinking of participating in the Management Challenge?

    While Whyalla City Council's participation in the Australasian Management Challenge was a first this year, I can confidently say it won't be our last! For anyone considering joining the Challenge, my biggest piece of advice is to embrace the experience and have fun with it. Yes, it's a competition, but it's also a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and broaden your understanding of local government. One thing I truly valued was the chance to connect with colleagues from entirely different departments. Taking the time to talk to these individuals provided valuable insights into their areas of expertise. This broader knowledge base proved to be super beneficial throughout the challenge, as we tackled tasks that spanned various council functions. So, if you're on the fence, I say go for it! The Challenge is an incredible platform for learning, growth, and even a little friendly competition.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    My journey at Whyalla City Council is far from over! While I'm thrilled with the promotion to City Planning Coordinator, I'm always looking for ways to expand my knowledge and take on new challenges. However, my ambitions extend beyond the walls of local government. I'm fascinated by the planning process at all levels, and I envision myself one day working across the entire spectrum. My ideal career path would involve transitioning from local government to state government, gaining a broader perspective on policy development. Following that, I'd love to delve into the private sector and experience the fast-paced world of a planning consultancy. Ultimately, my dream is to culminate these diverse experiences by opening my own planning firm, where I can create a dynamic and client-focused practice.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    Outside of work, I enjoy a variety of hobbies. My partner and I are currently renovating an old cottage, which requires a hands-on approach and consumes a lot of my time. I also enjoy photography and woodworking, which allow me to express my creativity in different ways. These activities provide a welcome balance to my professional life.


  • 15 Mar 2024 11:13 AM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Bree Goodchild, Senior Manager - Community Engagement & Experience, City of Playford, about her role, professional development and what's next for her. 

    How long have you been in local government and what is your role?

    I have been fortunate to be a part of this sector for 20 years, working across a number of communities with a diverse range of needs, challenges and opportunities. The chance to support people to live well and to thrive is what drives me.

    I have recently started as the Senior Manager for Community Engagement and Experience with City of Playford. I feel so lucky to continue to work with passionate and experienced people who have the right combination of vision and capability to support our community to grow.

    What does a typical day look like for you?

    At the City of Playford we are focused on the emerging and future opportunities for our community and region. Growth for our community in the right way, for the right reasons is exciting and rewarding. By 2046 we will welcome 10 new residents a day to City of Playford. On a daily basis we are working to set a future for our community (and for all those people who will call the City of Playford home over the next 20 years). We support the Strategic intent through planned communications efforts. We bring together data and research with community feedback and sentiment to inform decision making. At the heart of our daily work is the residents, business owners, workers and visitors to our area who we engage with daily, providing customer service and supporting them to live happy and prosperous lives. And, we get to do it all as a team.

    Last year you participated in the LG Professionals SA Executive Leaders Program; can you share some reflections from your experience?

    What an opportunity! I would recommend this program to everyone.

    Dedicating time to your professional development is such an important part of continuing to grow and evolve and our communities benefit from this investment - they deserve the very best effort and ideas from us to make their neighbourhoods safe, happy and healthy.

    My key takeaways from the Executive Leaders Program (XLP) were that there is always opportunity to see things from new and different perspectives, that our collective consideration of challenges is powerful, and that we are capable of new thinking and doing difficult things.

    The challenges and opportunities our communities face range from simple through to complex, and the XLP is specifically designed to get to the crux of the challenges and chip away at improvements. Through the XLP, we were able to combine academic discipline, science, emotional intelligence and creativity in a unique learning environment.

    And, I have gained a group of incredible peers to learn from, lean on and cheer on.  

    What would be your advice to others thinking of participating in the Executive Leaders Program?

    Don’t hesitate – its worth the effort. The program is rewarding and continues to be valuable in the work that I do. The opportunity to learn in an environment with other committed and like minded local government leaders is pretty special. The unique and tailored guidance from Andrew and Rhiannon (and the support from their team of experts) makes the experience.

    Recently you volunteered at the Rural Management Challenge – what do you love about these professional development events?

    Quite honestly one of my favourite days of the year. I have so much respect for the talented and dedicated participants who put months of effort into preparing for Challenge day. To see each person move through the excitement and nervousness, manage their energy and create amazing outcomes is inspiring. They lean on each other and lead each other, they allow themselves the opportunity to make safe mistakes and to make even bigger and better come backs as a result. Mostly, to experience the relief and pride in their achievements at the end of the day – it was a privilege to be a part of it.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    I have formed some special working relationships over my time in the sector and rely more and more on the joy of learning from and with others. I would love to continue to study when the time is right, and look forward to the next offering from LG Professionals SA.


  • 28 Feb 2024 3:13 PM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Trevor Ashenden, Coordinator - Community Rangers and Fire Prevention Officers at City of Onkaparinga, about his role, professional development and what's next for him. 

    How long have you been in local government?

    I started with City of Onkaparinga in August 2020 as a casual Ranger, with no previous regulatory or local government experience.

    In October 2021, I was the successful candidate for the role of Technical Support Officer within our section, responsible for drafting political correspondence; giving legislative advice to internal and external customers; and assisting in the development and review of policies and procedures.

    Then in late 2022 the role of Coordinator became available. Following a rigorous selection process, I was the successful candidate, commencing in January of 2023.

    Here I am, 3 ½ years later, happily supporting and leading a team of 17 Rangers and 2 Fire Prevention Officers.

    What does a typical day look like for you?

    My day often starts early. I like to get up about 5:30am most days and go to the gym in the morning. Regular exercise is probably my best stress manager (as well as managing that office chair waistline).

    I get to the office between 8-8:30am and start by checking my to-do list for any pressing items incomplete from yesterday, before checking my calendar for the day’s meetings and putting together a new to-do list.

    I always keep myself available to the team to answer questions or assist with their investigations, as well as attend complicated site visits.

    There are a lot of variables in my day, which means I’m constantly prioritising and rearranging my day. The last 15 months have been a serious lesson in time management.

    In 2022 you participated in the LG Professionals SA Australasian Management Challenge; can you share some reflections from your experience?

    WOW!!! What an amazing experience. City of Onkaparinga have a great program leading into challenge day, where participants attend weekly catch ups and meet with all the Managers individually.

    We learn about the different aspects of the organisation including projects, challenges, and council’s place in the community.

    Challenge day itself is a wonderful experience. To be under so much pressure all day but keep so positive and produce so much work is amazing. It gets you so far outside your comfort zone.

    I recommend this program to everyone; what you learn about yourself, your workplace and your community just can’t be achieved anywhere else.

    After participating in the Challenge, you then furthered your professional development by undertaking LG Professionals SA Short Courses, Performance Coaching, and Speaking with Influence. Could you provide one to two valuable take aways from each course?

    With such a large and diverse team, performance conversations can sometimes arise. With no previous training and guidance, these conversations were difficult and often poorly executed.

    This course was great in giving me the basic knowledge and skillset I needed to be confident and competent in these situations. A couple of key takeaways include:

    Planning - I used to think about how I might like the conversation to go, imagining how it might play out over and over, but I didn’t know what point ‘a’ or ‘b’ should be or how to get there. The Performance Coaching short course gave me the tried and tested structure that allowed me to plan the conversation, understand the goals of the conversation and ensure a positive outcome.   

    Keep on topic - We have all experienced people who deflect away from the conversation or look to point blame. Speaking with Influence showed me how to identify deflection, address it and keep the conversation relevant, while simultaneously letting the person feel heard and supported.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    The training and development offering by LG Professionals SA is incredible and I am very lucky to work in an organisation that values ongoing development of all their people.

    In my true ‘not to miss an opportunity’ form, I am participating in the LG Professionals SA Ignite program.

    This is another great program, consisting of 12 sessions over a 12-month period. We work as groups and individually, with the aim of developing ourselves as leaders and attaining Cert IV in Leadership and Management.

    We began last week with our first units of ‘effective relationships’ and ‘make presentations’.  From day one this was very enlightening and really broke down our barriers and allowed us to analyse ourselves as people and leaders.

    I can’t wait to see what the next 12 months brings.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    I have a small family, my wife, Jodie and our 6-year-old daughter, Charlotte. Before beginning at council, I was a Kite Surfing instructor and my family love the beach. We also spend as much time as we can in our caravan.

    Fortunately, its very easy to combine these things, so you’ll usually find us on a long weekend camped somewhere along the coast, making the most of the sunset.  


  • 23 Jan 2024 9:39 AM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Sarah Rose, Executive Assistant to the CEO at  Alexandrina Council, about her role, professional development and what's next for her. 

    How long have you been in local government?

    My local government journey started 5 years ago in governance administration at Alexandrina Council. I took the opportunities that presented themselves in experiencing different roles and this led me to District Council of Yankalilla as the Executive Assistant (EA) to the CEO. My career took a funny turn and led me back to Alexandrina Council where it all started.

    What does a typical day look like for you?

    My morning routine consists of checking emails, calendars and prioritising tasks for the day. The remainder of the day is preparing for meetings, managing the CEO’s meetings, appointments, correspondence and administration tasks. Also known as the “gatekeeper” providing a bridge for smooth communication between the CEO and staff and ensuring efficient and smooth operation of the Office of the Chief Executive Officer. 

    Earlier this year you participated in the LG Professionals SA Women’s Career Navigator Program; can you share some reflections from your experience?

    I found the program quite invigorating, engaging and informative both for personal and professional development. The program provided valuable strategies and tools that I believe will enhance my career. I met some lovely ladies, and it was great to see growth in such a short period of time.

    What would be your advice to others thinking of participating in the Women’s Career Navigator Program?

    Do it!! I’m an advocate to empower women to further themselves to advance their careers and personal lives. The program is a safe environment to support growth, opportunities for skill-building, learning new strategies and networking with women who are on the same journey, whilst having a bit of fun along the way.

    You also participated in the Local Government Management Challenge – how did you find this experience?

    I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, my reasons for participating were unlike some, where I wanted to demonstrate leadership and showcase different skills that I normally wouldn’t use in my everyday work environment. I loved the pressure cooker feeling on the challenge day itself, the problem-solving experiences and being part of a team who were supportive and fun. The program translates into relevant, tangible, and enduring benefits for not only the team but for the organisation with a hands-on approach to leadership development.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    Alexandrina Council have created a development plan for the 2024 team and as I loved the challenge so much, I will have the opportunity to mentor and support them through the challenge experience. This opportunity will help develop my leadership skills and I hope to further my skills in organisational development.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    My free time is usually spent exercising, whether it’s the gym, netball or Muay Thai. I am a kid at heart and enjoy being outdoors and experiencing new things.  


  • 29 Nov 2023 12:03 PM | Deleted user

    This month we spoke with Jodi Roberts, Manager Engineering and Infrastructure - (commencing as Director Environment and Infrastructure on 14 December 2023), at City of Victor Harbor, about her role, professional development and what's next for her. 

    How long have you been in local government and what is your role?

    I have worked in local government for twelve years with two different councils, Alexandrina Council and City of Victor Harbor, within varying departments.

    Local government is so much more than roads, rates and rubbish. Daily I am reminded that as a public officer I am working within a diverse team of staff and volunteers delivering outcomes by, for, and with our community.

    With a focus on strategic planning and leadership development, I am currently building a dynamic team to deliver and maintain services and infrastructure that meet the changing needs of the community.

    What does a typical day look like for you?

    There is no typical day as every day brings with it unknown challenges and opportunities. Amongst the numerous meetings, my time oscillates between strategic long term planning and providing reactionary response to community, Council Members or the environment as part of emergency management. My team is responsible for:

    • GIS and asset management
    • Properties including cemeteries
    • Land development
    • Capital project delivery
    • Traffic management, streetlights and stormwater

    I am looking forward to the new opportunities that the Director role will bring including:

    • Open space and biodiversity
    • Environment and sustainability
    • Operations, maintenance and construction

    You have previously completed the LG Professionals SA Executive Leaders Program; can you share some reflections from your experience?

    I undertook the Executive Leaders Program at a perfect time for my personal growth, when I had a desire and willingness to undertake professional development to grow in other leadership areas, including people management. I found that I could build on my existing skills and develop a network of support amongst my peers in local government.

    What learnings from the program where you able to implement into your role at council?

    Each day I use the leadership tools I learned as part of the program and enjoy sharing them with my teams.

    Some of the takeaway messages that I reflect on in my role include:

    • To be authentic and vulnerable
    • Creating space for opportunity by not filling it
    • Notice more and be luck ready – let go of things and be adaptive
    • To build on what is working
    • I am in charge of the narrative – choosing the positive and not victim mindset
    • I delight in the unknown and dwell it the mystery… that’s interesting, tell me more!

    What would be your advice to others thinking of participating in the Executive Leaders Program?

    The program is a worthwhile investment in you. If you are thinking about enhancing your leadership skills, this is the program for you. It is a great way to get to know other likeminded local government leaders. Be ready to expand your thinking and challenge yourself.

    What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

    Once I have settled into my new role as Director Environment and Infrastructure I am looking forward to exploring training opportunities such as the Strategic Management Program.

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

    I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I am part of a book club with friends I have known for 40 years. As a single parent, I prioritise time with my son, and we make the most of our holiday adventures.


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