Upcoming Programs & Events

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• 2025 Ignite Program

  • Start
    06 Feb 2025
  •  
  • End
    04 Feb 2026
  •  
  • Schedule
    15 sessions
  • Location
    Various
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  
  

  The LG Professionals SA Ignite Program is a leadership learning path for supervisors, team leaders and coordinators in local government across South Australia.

  The focus of the program is to enable those who have limited experience in managing and leading people to develop the competencies required to be successful in their role. 

  Download the full prospectus here.

  
  

  Registrations at our events and programs are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests unless specified otherwise on the event or program brochure.

  By registering for this event/forum/program you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email eve@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

  
  

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• 2025 Emerging Leaders Program

  • Start
    29 May 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    28 Nov 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM
  • Location
    Various Locations
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  

  The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a program aimed to provide participants with a greater level of comprehension and understanding of local government; increased understanding of leadership concepts and practices and how to integrate these learnings into the workplace, increased confidence; enhanced self-awareness; an appreciation of and an ability to work with different personality types; the opportunity to challenge their assumptions. 

  The 2025 Emerging Leaders Program has currently sold out. Please join our waitlist in case a place becomes available.

  Download the prospectus here.

  
  

  Registrations at our events and programs are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests unless specified otherwise on the event or program brochure.

  By registering for this event/forum/program you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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• LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum - Leading with Connection

  • When
    04 Sep 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 12:15 PM
  • Location
    Tiwu Kumangka (Blackwood Library and Community Centre), 2/4 Young St, Blackwood SA 5051

  Register

  
  

  Join us for the upcoming LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Forum: Leading with Connection. We’ll be joined by an inspiring line-up of speakers who will share their diverse stories, spanning leadership, lived experience, community engagement, and career transformation. From overcoming personal challenges to leading inclusive projects, each speaker offers heartfelt insights and practical strategies relevant to every role and stage of career.

  We’ll hear from:

  • Nat Franklin, Grants and Events Officer at the City of Mitcham, whose session By Community, For Community explores how internal collaboration and community events can foster connection and amplify impact.
  • Alyce McKay, Horticulturalist at the City of Adelaide, whose path from retail to horticulture is a testament to following passion, mentoring others, and creating inclusive, sustainable spaces for all.
  • Dani Scuteri, Coordinator of Community Safety at the City of Charles Sturt, who will share her Story - a powerful personal journey from refugee to recognised local government leader, shaped by resilience, purpose, and people-focused leadership.

  We’ll also feature a special Mentor Mentee Connections Q&A, where Michyla Lewis from the District Council of Yankalilla and Ania Karzek from the City of Holdfast Bay will share their experiences from the Women’s Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot - highlighting the importance of mutual support, growth, and career development through mentorship.
  
  

  This Forum will be held in person at Tiwu Kumangka (Blackwood Library and Community Centre) and via Zoom on Thursday 4 September from 9:30AM - 12:15PM. 

  Read more about each session below: 
  

  
  

  By Community, For Community 
  Nat Franklin 

  Grants and Events Officer, City of Mitcham 

  
  With a diverse background spanning youth work in remote Aboriginal communities, program delivery in the not-for-profit sector, and years of experience in local government, Nat Franklin brings a unique and heartfelt perspective to community engagement. Currently serving as the Grants and Events Officer at the City of Mitcham, she coordinates civic and community events that foster inclusion, connection, and celebration. Her presentation, By Community, For Community, will explore how internal collaboration and cross-team support can amplify community outcomes, and how events and ceremonies can be powerful tools for building meaningful connections. Drawing on real-world experience and a deep passion for empowering communities, this session will highlight why connectedness matters - and how we can all play a role in supporting it.

  
  

  Mentor Mentee Connections 

  Join Ania and Michyla for an engaging Q&A session as a mentor/mentee paring from our Women's Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot. We’ll delve deeper into their personal experiences, and they’ll share insights into how the Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot fosters growth, connection and support.

  Michyla Lewis
  Governance and Policy Officer, District Council of Yankalilla

  Michyla is a seasoned public sector professional with over 15 years of experience spanning State and local government across Australia. Since 2021, she has been a key contributor at the District Council of Yankalilla, where she plays a pivotal role in supporting the Chamber and shaping policy that reflects the needs of diverse communities.

  Her career has taken her from semi-urban centres to some of the most remote parts of the country, providing her with a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities within public service. Michyla is recognised for her collaborative approach, strategic insight, and deep commitment to community-focused outcomes.

  When she’s not driving policy or supporting council operations, you’ll find her chasing after her energetic toddler or indulging her passion for cooking.

  
  Ania Karzek
  Program Director – Target Operating Model (TOM), 
  City of Holdfast Bay

  With more years in public policy than she’d care to count, Ania has worked across a number of disciplines, including water, environment, government reform, social services and local government. She has also seen how the other half live, and worked in private, university and not for profit sectors in consulting and operational management roles.

  A disruptive policy wonk by trade, Ania has a passion for connecting the art of the possible with the care we need to take in making it happen. Endlessly fascinated by ‘why?’, she believes in moonshots and doing cool stuff with technology - as long as we do it with eyes wide open.

  
  

  My Story

  Alyce Mckay
  Horticulturalist, City of Adelaide

  Alyce McKay’s journey into local government didn’t follow a straight path - but it’s one grounded in passion, persistence, and purpose. Once a nature-loving kid chasing frogs and climbing trees, she spent 15 years in retail before deciding to return to what truly lit her up: the outdoors. Volunteering on a biodiversity project with the City of Playford reconnected her with the natural environment and opened the door to hands-on roles in horticulture and land care. That experience led her to the City of Adelaide, where she now plays a key role in maintaining the city’s parks and open spaces, while also leading teams and mentoring trainees.

  Alyce’s passion for supporting others to build confidence and practical skills has become a defining part of her leadership. Her commitment to growth was recognised through her participation in the LG Professionals SA Ignite program, where she continues to expand her impact. For Alyce, it's about more than green spaces - it’s about creating inclusive, sustainable places for community to thrive, and inspiring more women to see themselves as leaders, no matter where their journey begins.

  
  

  My Story 
  Dani Scuteri 
  Coordinator Community Safety, City of Charles Sturt

  Born in Dubrovnik, once part of the former Yugoslavia, Dani’s early life was upended by civil war, forcing her family to flee their home when she was just six. After surviving wartime displacement and exile in Serbia, she arrived in Australia at age ten under a refugee visa, settling in Adelaide’s western suburbs. Despite cultural and language barriers, Dani was inspired by her new community and determined to honour her parents' sacrifice. She became the first in her family to graduate university, earning a Bachelor of Education, and purchased her first home at 19.

  Dani’s career in local government began with a customer service role at the City of Charles Sturt, the same Council that first made her feel safe on her arrival to Australia. Over 18 years, she has progressed through roles from Project Officer to Acting Manager of Community Health and Safety. Her work has shaped public health plans, regulatory programs, and much-loved community events. Dani’s leadership has earned state and national recognition, including Australian Officer of the Year and a finalist in the 2024 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards. Passionate about purpose and people leadership, she is especially committed to empowering women and culturally diverse leaders. Her journey reflects resilience, integrity, and a deep-rooted commitment to community.

  
  

  This Forum is a chance to connect with peers, hear diverse stories, and take away ideas that can support your own work and wellbeing. 

  Distance shouldn’t be a barrier to being involved, registrations are available for you to join us at one of our regional hubs. Please select this option in your registration for us to accommodate. If you require assistance or would like to host a regional hub please contact Elyse Hearne, Manager - Marketing and Communications via email elyse@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.
  

  
  

  
  

  Registrations for this forum are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests.

  By registering for this forum, you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au

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• XLP Alumni Session: Your Cast of Characters – Embracing the Full Story of You

  • When
    05 Sep 2025
  •  
    1:45 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    LG House 148 Frome Street Adelaide 5000

  Register

  
  

  Join us for an Alumni Workshop on Humanness, Complexity and Leadership facilitated by Andrew Stevens, director and co-founder of the Uncharted Leadership Institute.

  We each show up to work and life with a whole cast of characters, some we know well, others we tend to keep backstage. This interactive alumni session invites you to explore the many roles you play, the traits you’re known for (and those you keep hidden), and the paradoxes that shape how you lead.

  Through personal reflection, creative exercises, and meaningful conversation, you’ll map your own cast of characters, naming the qualities that support you, those that sometimes trip you up, and the shadow traits that deserve a second look.

  Together, we’ll explore what it means to lead with authenticity and humanness in complex, demanding environments. This is an opportunity to reconnect with your story, hear from others, and walk away with a deeper understanding of what it means to lead as your authentic self.

  Whether you’re meeting your cast for the first time or returning to deepen your understanding of your ensemble, this session offers fresh insight and valuable connection.

  What to expect:

  • A creative deep dive into your leadership roles and personal traits
  • A playful but insightful activity to explore your inner “cast”
  •  Partner work and whole-group dialogue
  • Reflections on how embracing your whole self enables more authentic and compassionate leadership

  Come prepared to reflect, connect, and perhaps meet a few surprising characters along the way.

  
  Timing:

  1:45 PM Arrivals

  2:00 PM Welcome

  2:00 PM - 5:10 PM Workshop

  5:15 PM - 6:00 PM Networking Drinks

  Please note: this session is for Executive Leaders Program Alumni only.

  Registrations at our events and programs are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests unless specified otherwise on the event or program brochure.

  By registering for this event/forum/program you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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• LG Professionals SA CEO Network & General Managers and Directors Network Forum: Reducing Burnout & Building Psychosocial Safety in Executive Leadership

  • When
    11 Sep 2025
  •  
    1:30 PM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street, Adelaide

  Register

  

  Join us for the LG Professionals SA CEO Network and General Managers and Directors Network Forum – Reducing Burnout & Building Psychosocial Safety in Executive Leadership. We're thrilled to be joined by Allan Sparkes CV, OAM, VA who will share strategies that could change the way you protect your wellbeing and lead your teams. 

  This Forum will be held on Thursday 11 September 2025 from 1:30 PM – 5:00 PM, including networking drinks. Whilst in person attendance at LG House (Adelaide) is strongly encouraged, this Forum will also be available via Zoom to make it accessible for regional executive teams.

  Find out more about the program below: 

  Allan Sparkes CV, OAM, VA  
  Local government executives face unrelenting demands, managing complex relationships, rapid change, and the constant risk of burnout.

  In this dynamic session, Allan Sparkes CV, OAM, VA  Australia’s most highly decorated civilian and a leading trainer in proactive mental health, will share proven strategies to protect mental health, strengthen leadership cohesion, and help meet new psychosocial safety obligations.

  Through Allan’s presentation and interactive mini-workshops, participants will explore how to:

  • Reduce burnout risk before it takes hold
  • Walk away with practical tools to safeguard your own wellbeing and educate others
  • Align culture, policy and practice with prevention, not post-incident response
  • Lead teams that thrive under pressure.

  Hot Topics
  In this interactive session we will identify, share and explore emerging issues relevant to you in your role, and as a local government executive team in South Australia.

  Networking
  Continue and expand the discussions of the forum with peers and other executive teams over Networking drinks.

  Forum details:
  1.30 PM - Arrivals

  4.15 PM - 5:00 PM - Networking Drinks

  

  Registrations for this forum are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests.

  By registering for this forum you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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• 2025 Rural Management Challenge

  • When
    18 Sep 2025
  •  
    7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    Lakes Hotel - 141 Brebner Drive, West Lakes SA 5021

  Registration is closed

  
  

  The Rural Management Challenge is a simulation-based team building, learning and networking program using real local government themes - the types of issues that a senior management team in a council would most likely face.

  The teams are challenged to respond to a series of tasks in a unique one-day, fast paced, ‘pressure cooker’ environment. Some tasks will require written responses (such as a council report or recommendation document), and some will take the form of role plays or presentations and the teams are also scored on observations of how well they display energy, synergy, effectiveness and creative thinking.

  View the flyer here.

  Don't forget to also register for the Rural Challenge Dinner here.

  

  Registrations for this event are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests.

  By registering for this event you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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• 2025 Rural Management Challenge Dinner

  • When
    18 Sep 2025
  •  
    6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
  • Location
    Lakes Hotel - 141 Brebner Drive, West Lakes SA 5021

  Register

  
  

  Join us for the exciting Rural Management Challenge Dinner where the winner of the 2025 Rural Management Challenge will be announced. We strongly encourage all participants to attend.

  Don't forget to also register a team for the Rural Management Challenge here.

  Registrations for this event are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests. By registering for this event you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au

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• Advanced Project Management

  • When
    29 Sep 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street Adelaide SA 5000
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  
  

  Every day in local government, we're managing projects.

  Whether you’re leading infrastructure upgrades, delivering community programs or improving internal processes, strong project management skills are essential. And as local government professionals, we should be leading the way.

  This course will explore project leadership and you will learn how to manage some of the challenges faced when managing big projects in a local government context.

  Our Advanced Project Management course is designed for those ready to move beyond the basics. Perfect for anyone with experience managing projects, or who has completed our Introduction to Project Management. This course digs deeper into project management theory and looks at both operational and strategic elements of project management.

  Best suited to those who have some project management experience behind them, and those that have completed the Introduction to Project Management course.

  This course will be delivered in person at LG House, 148 Frome Street, Adelaide. 
  

  For more information, visit lgprofessionalssa.org.au/advanced-project-management.

  
  

  Registrations for this event are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of regional subsidiaries and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests.

  By registering for this event/forum/program you will be subscribed to the LG Professionals SA mailing list. Should you wish to unsubscribe at any time, please email jade@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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