We caught up with one of this year’s Emerging Leaders Program cohort, Aaron Curtis, Team Leader Planning, Development Services at City of Salisbury to find out how he's finding the program.

What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?

I’d heard really good things about the program from Local Government colleagues and the opportunity presented itself at Salisbury and I just had to take it on. I wanted to challenge myself and get myself out of my comfort zone and it was the perfect time to give it a go. I’m so glad I took it on, the program has a good balance of theory-based learning from very experienced staff from UniSA as well as practical application to Local Government. Despite what Covid has thrown up, the program was really well organised and was adjusted to suit the circumstances.

The most recent module focused on sustainability – what were some of the takeaways from this module?

The key takeaway for me was that Local Government can and does play a significant role in supporting sustainable communities, environmentally, socially, and economically.  Local Government is more relevant than ever in supporting sustainable communities.  The module had some really good speakers that spoke to the work the Local Government sector is taking to deliver sustainable communities such as the proposed investment in a new material recovery facility by the Cities of Charles Sturt and Port Adelaide Enfield that will support recovery of co-mingled recycling generated in these communities while at the same time reducing the cost profile for these Councils.  The module evoked some really good discussion from a range of speakers.

What are you most looking forward to as the program closes?

The program has been really challenging and it does require some commitment both during work hours and after hours.  I’m looking forward to taking a break and spending time with family from what has been a very challenging year.  That said, the program has given me the chance to connect with so many new Local Government employees and I look forward to keeping in touch with my new friends. The program has also left a lasting impression on me in terms of my appreciation of the business and psychological theory behind some of my practical learning that I’ve gained working in a leadership role in Local Government the past 5 years.  It has given me the appetite to take on further business studies.