We caught up with Evan Woolford, Transport Engineer, City of Charles Sturt, about what led him to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, his experience in organising the most recent module, and what he's most looking forward to as part of the development opportunity. 

You were part of the organising group for the Political Context module. What did you want the cohort to get out of the module?

Our primary goal was to demonstrate that the ‘political context’ influences the decisions councils make every day. We wanted the group to really feel how politics influences local government, and why understanding that bigger picture matters. By designing it like a game, with moves, strategies and playful competition, we hoped people could connect the dots in a hands-on way. At the end of the day, we wanted everyone to walk away with a deeper appreciation for political context and the role it plays in shaping outcomes.

How did you find organising the module with your group?

Organising the module was a real journey in the best way. We had seven different personalities, ideas and working styles, which could have been tricky, but instead became our biggest strength. Everyone contributed something unique, from creativity and humour to structure and detail, which mirrored the theme of our day by bringing different voices together to create something bigger. We embraced the playful game theme as we wanted to bring energy to the topic. The process showed me how collaboration, planning and fun can transform any task into an engaging time.

What was your biggest takeaway from the module?

The guest speakers were definitely a highlight. Hearing their real-world experiences brought the topic to life and made the importance of politics, relationships and community understanding so much clearer. They showed how decisions don’t happen in a vacuum and that every action has a reaction. I found it eye-opening to see how much thought and negotiation go into even small decisions at the local level. As we coupled this with our game-style activities, it reminded me that learning is most powerful when it’s both engaging and practical. The mix of fun and expert insights made the day really memorable.

Image: The organising team for the 'Political Context' module... AI edition.