This month we spoke with Bree Moore, Horticulturalist, City of Charles Sturt, about her career journey so far, her biggest takeaways from the 2024 LG Professionals SA Women's Network Conference, and her favourite native plant in the City of Charles Sturt.

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

I have been in local government for close to a year and a half now and work as a Horticulturist for the City of Charles Sturt. In my role, I maintain parks and garden spaces for the local community and find it super rewarding. 

In November, you attended the Women’s Network Conference: The Power of Belonging on a Field Staff Scholarship, which was a first-of-its-kind scholarship made available through LG Professionals SA. What was your biggest takeaway from the day?

Being selected for this scholarship was amazing, I definitely took a lot from the day. These events help build a sense of purpose and direction in terms of our development and are such a great opportunity to network with women in local government (especially field staff) and see what the bigger picture might look like.

My biggest takeaway was learning the importance of taking intentional actions towards our overall wellbeing and how showing up for that extra 1% in our day-to-day lives can really make a significant impact both personally and professionally. 

What’s your favourite native plant that you work with in your role?

That is definitely a hard question as I could talk about native plants all day. I’d say one of the more underrated plants that I love is actually the native coastal grass spinifex. 

It is unique in the fact that its root system is quite deep, it is fast growing and super hardy. It can withstand the harsh coastal conditions and acts as a stabiliser in the dunes which is great to help control some of the erosion issues we face along the coast. It is an important plant for our role in protecting and increasing the biodiversity of the area.

What are your career goals?

At the moment I’m enjoying the role that I am in currently and want to continue to grow within this space. In saying this I am interested in doing further studies and moving into a leadership role in the future. 

How do you like to spend your time outside of work? 

My time outside of work is generally spent doing something active either walking, going to the gym or yoga. I love travelling and being outside but also love to stay inside and binge watch tv shows. It’s about balance, right? 

This month we spoke with David Waters, Director Environment and Infrastructure, Adelaide Hills Council, about his career journey, his participation in the Executive Leaders Program the same year he was Acting CEO, his key takeaways from the General Managers and Directors Network Forum, and his picks for when you're in the hills.

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

I've been in local government for 20 years (never, ever did I think I'd be saying that!) and have led a range of functions from community development to economic development and parks management to infrastructure planning. I'm currently Director Environment and Infrastructure at Adelaide Hills Council following 10 years as Director Community Capacity.

With LG Professionals SA, you completed the Executive Leaders Program across 2022, and in the same year, you were Acting CEO at Adelaide Hills Council. What learnings from the program assisted you during this period of change and opportunity?

The Executive Leaders Program was one of the best leadership development programs I've done, and I was able to draw on so many of the learnings when I was Acting CEO. The program teaches you a range of systematic and logical ways to approach complex issues but also draws upon the forces of human nature and encourages participants to be open and sharing.

There were loads of 'ideas for rent' but the best thing about doing the course was meeting a whole bunch of sector colleagues I'd never otherwise have come across. I've since called upon many of them for ideas, advice and guidance.

You recently attended the LG Professionals SA General Managers and Directors Network Forum: Hot Topic Hub, what was your biggest takeaway from the Forum?

The General Managers and Directors Network is always a hive of ideas and creativity. There was a really interesting topic on AI and we started wondering how it would look if we started letting AI systems actually make decisions for us, not just write reports with analysis and recommendations. Could AI one day replace the elected body?!

We also workshopped elected member and staff relations and ways of remaining focussed on big picture thinking ahead of the small stuff.

You were a Board Member for Adelaide Hills Tourism – what’s somewhere/something we have to check out when we’re in the hills?

I always encourage people to take the road less travelled, so start by taking a different route into the Hills than the one you'd normally take. Stop at a roadside produce or craft stall. Have lunch and a sip at a winery in Lenswood and then head on to Australia's newest cultural centre, the Fabrik arts and heritage hub in the old Onkaparinga Woollen Mill Museum at Lobethal. It has a textile art focus in keeping with the woollen mill theme. It's an initiative of Adelaide Hills Council and has just been opened after a two-year redevelopment of the site - a project I was heavily involved with and incredibly proud of.

This month we spoke with Renee Jericho, Manager Finance and Procurement, Town of Gawler, about her role, her recent participation in the Ignite Program, and her insights into how procurement provides for the community.

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

I have dedicated 10 years to local government, beginning in the Infrastructure and Environment Department at Light Regional Council before moving to the Finance and Procurement Department at Town of Gawler in 2022. With a background in law and commerce, I have developed a strong expertise in local government procurement, contracting and property. My role as Procurement Specialist at the Town of Gawler allowed me to focus on strategic management in procurement, and in July 2024, I was appointed Manager Finance and Procurement. 

Last year you completed the Ignite Program. A year on, how has the program shaped your career?

Just a few months after starting the program, I was offered the opportunity to step into the acting Manager Finance and Procurement role. Although I had always aspired to management, I initially doubted by readiness. The Ignite Program gave me the confidence to take the leap. Throughout the program, I remained in the acting role, applying the skills and knowledge I gained in real time.

What’s something a community member might not know about how your role helps to build their community?

Procurement in local government is about making sure that public money is spent responsibly to deliver the best services, infrastructure, and community programs. Whether it’s building roads, maintaining parks, or delivering essential services like waste collection, procurement ensures we get the best value for the community’s investment.

Guilty pleasure tv show, game, book or hobby?

I have 3 children and a full-time job, so I don’t get a lot of downtime. My guilty pleasure is dinner and drinks with friends, we went to Gin Long Canteen on O’Connell Street recently – amazing! 

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. 

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 23^rd 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.

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.

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.

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 23^rd 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 23^rd 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.

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.

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.