Upcoming Programs & Events

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• 2025 Strategic Management Program

  • Start
    06 Feb 2025
  •  
  • End
    15 Aug 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    10 sessions
  • Location
    University of South Australia City West Campus, North Terrace, Adelaide and Virtual
  • Spaces left
    7

  

  Developed in partnership with UniSA and local government experts, the Strategic Management Program (SMP) has been designed to increase the skills and capabilities of leaders and managers in local government.

  Participants will build high-level leadership and management skills within a local government context, and learn technical skills to manage business functions and enhance innovation, strategic thinking, business acumen and operational excellence. 

  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.

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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 - Navigating Boldly

  • When
    11 Jun 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Gawler Civic Centre, 89-91 Murray Street, Gawler South Australia 5118

  Register

  
  

  Join us for the upcoming LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Forum: Navigating Boldly. We’ll be joined by four speakers who will share their personal and professional journeys, offering practical insights and reflections relevant to a wide range of roles and career stages. 

  • Jacque Opie, Community Leasing Co-ordinator, City of Adelaide will explore how clarity, courage and confidence can support women navigating change.
  • Bailee Major, Site Supervisor, Sarah Constructions will offer a perspective from the trades, highlighting the importance of representation and support for women in non-traditional industries.
  • Paula Duldig, Senior Consultant, EMA Consulting will share her experiences in leadership and the role neuroscience can play in how we think, feel and work.
  • Hayley Edwards, Open Space Lead, Town of Gawler will reflect on leadership and creating inclusive spaces through design and collaboration. 

  This Forum will be held in person at the Gawler Civic Centre and via Zoom on Wednesday 11 June from 9:30AM - 12:30PM. 

  
  

  The Inner Work of Clarity, Courage, and Confidence 
  Jacque Opie 

  Community Leasing Co-ordinator, City of Adelaide 

  
  

  Jacque Opie is one of us - working within local government while bringing decades of experience as a coach and facilitator for women seeking clarity, courage, and confidence. She has supported hundreds of women through change, helping them reconnect with their purpose and build confidence from the inside out, confidence that isn’t tied to titles or ticking boxes. 

  Now embedded in the sector herself, Jacque understands the unique pressures that come with a career in local government. Her work focuses on the “inner journey,” empowering women to find clarity in what they truly want, the courage to pursue it, and the confidence to keep showing up, even when things feel uncertain or messy. 

  In this supportive and engaging session, Jacque will guide you through a process of reflection, conversation, and light-hearted exploration to: 

  • Identify what’s important to you now, and what may need to shift 

  • Make courageous decisions, even when it’s uncomfortable 

  • Build real, lasting confidence from the inside out. 

  This session is about making space for what matters, coming home to yourself, and supporting others to do the same. 

  
  

  

  Building Towards Women in Trades 

  Bailee Major 

  Site Supervisor, Sarah Constructions 

   

  As a woman working in a field where fewer than 5% of tradespeople on-site are female, Bailee Major knows what it means to carve your own path. 

  Now 28, Bailee has navigated her way through the male-dominated construction industry - completing her apprenticeship, building a successful trade business, and rising to become a site supervisor with a leading construction company. Her journey has not been without challenges, but it’s also been full of wins, lessons, and a growing platform to inspire others. 

  Bailee uses her story - and opportunities like this event - to champion trades as a fulfilling career path for young people, especially women. With authenticity and drive, she advocates for better support, greater visibility, and more opportunities for women in trades. 

  Her message is simple but powerful: we can’t change the statistics without first changing the story. 

  
  

  

  Navigating Life, Navigating Neuroscience 

  Paula Duldig 

  Senior Consultant, EMA Consulting 

  
  

  Following a long and rewarding career in local government, Paula Duldig made the bold decision to step away from her role as Senior Manager Organisational Development to pursue further study in the Neuroscience of Leadership. This decision came during a time of personal transformation, following the loss of a significant loved one. 

  Paula’s professional and personal journey has taken many turns - each one shaping her into the leader and learner she is today. A mother of four, a proud Irish Australian, and a passionate student of the mind, Paula brings warmth, wisdom and lived experience to her work. 

  In her session, Paula will share insights from her study and life, including topics such as: 

  • Mindfulness and emotion contagion 

  • Attentional intelligence and bias 

  • The S.C.A.R.E model and how it applies in real workplaces. 

  Paula hopes to offer practical takeaways you can apply in your own leadership and life - with a few stories, a touch of humour, and a deep belief in human potential. 

  
  

  

  My Story 

  Hayley Edwards 

  Open Space Lead, Town of Gawler 

   

  Hayley Edwards is a Senior Registered Landscape Architect based on Kaurna Country in South Australia. With more than a decade of experience across private consultancy, land development, and local government, Hayley brings a passion for regenerative design and environmental stewardship to the creation of ecologically rich, community-focused urban spaces. 

  Raised on a fourth-generation farm in rural Victoria, Hayley’s early connection to land continues to influence her approach to place and people. She also draws inspiration from the quiet strength of women - those who balance expectations, demonstrate resilience, and earn respect in systems not always built for them. 

  As a woman working in a traditionally male-dominated profession, Hayley is committed to challenging unconscious bias and dismantling barriers. Her leadership style is grounded in trust, empathy, and vulnerability - focusing on inspiration over control, and always lifting others as she climbs. 

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

  
  

  If you would like to host a regional hub please contact Jacqui Arthur, Manager – Professional Networks Engagement via email jacqui@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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• LG Professionals SA 2024 Ignite Program Graduation - Celebrating our Participants

  • When
    20 Jun 2025
  •  
    3:30 PM - 5:15 PM
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street Adelaide SA 5000

  Register

  
  

  LG Professionals SA invite you to join us in congratulating the 2024 Ignite Program cohort on their successful completion of the Program.

  Arrivals from 3:30PM with formalities commencing at 3:45PM sharp. We are pleased to invite attendees to stay on for networking drinks and nibbles.

  Registrations are open to 2024 Ignite participants, their Manager and CEO, and invited guests of LG Professionals SA.

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• Exploring a Flinders University Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship

  • When
    27 Jun 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Virtual (via Teams)

  Register

  
  

  Join the General Managers and Directors Network to explore the potential for establishing Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeships.

  The Cities of Mitcham and Marion have established a strategic partnership with Flinders University focussing on Local Government opportunities to:

  1. Cultivate the Next Generation of Local Government Talent
  2. Build a Collaborative Learning Environment
  3. Enhancing Employer Branding and Recruitment

  At their most recent Steering Group meeting in May, the potential for establishing ‘Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeships’ with Cities of Mitcham, Marion or the broader Local Government was discussed. 

  Recognising the anticipated demand for 500+ engineers over the next decade through major projects like T2D we have an opportunity to embed a pipeline of local government professionals through initiatives like this. 

  LG Professionals SA is pleased to support the facilitation of this online session for General Managers and Directors and People and Culture Network members to hear direct from Professor Giselle Rampersad, Dean (Education) in the College of Science and Engineering at Flinders University on the potential the Flinders University Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship.

  This session will be delivered via Teams.

  Registrations for this event are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA General Managers and Directors and People and Culture Network Members, and Local Government Professionals Australia, SA invited guests.

  By registering for this session 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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• AI Transformation: Introduction to AI

  • When
    02 Jul 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Virtual
  • Spaces left
    30

  Register

  
  

  Join us for an eye-opening and educational session on the potential of AI!

  Discover how AI is enhancing productivity, transforming industries and unlocking new opportunities to be efficient. We’ll delve into the benefits of AI and its offerings; from automating routine tasks to driving innovation. Learn how AI has been used for years up until this point, and how AI has developed over time to be more accessible and user-friendly as ever.

  To support you in your journey, this session will explore the challenges and risks associated with AI, including ethical concerns, job displacement, and data privacy issues. Learn practical strategies to mitigate these problems and harness AIs full potential responsibly. Whether you’re an industry professional or just curious about AI, this session is your gateway to understanding and mastering the future.

  Suitable For: All staff within local government, especially decision makers.

  Key Learnings:
  

  This session provides an overview and basis for understanding the very essence of artificial intelligence. It’s designed to:

  • Allow decision makers the ability to make informed decision on AI use
  • Allow decision makers to future proof decision making due to their understanding of how AI actually works
  • Allow workers an overview of its ability to boost productivity
  • Allow people to comprehend its benefits for work and home
  • Allow everyone to understand its challenges, dangers and possible bias
  • Understand the requirement for appropriate and safe AI use, stay within your governance and data privacy guidelines
  • Understanding the limitations and issues of this technology
  • Best Practice application of external generative AI.
    
    

  This course will be delivered online via Zoom. 
  

  For more information, visit lgprofessionalssa.org.au/ai-training

  
  
  

  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 pd@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

  
  

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• AI Bootcamp

  • When
    04 Jul 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual
  • Spaces left
    30

  
  

  Learn how to use AI to enhance your local government workday.

  AI is revolutionising the way we work - join us in this hands-on session designed to equip you with practical skills for leveraging ai tools effectively within your workplace.

  Suitable For: All staff within local government who hold a general understanding of AI including principles, ethics and AI tools; especially suited for those who complete their work frequently on their computers. Greater benefit for those who have access to your organisations paid application, Microsoft Copilot Pro.

  Looking to gain a basis of understanding with AI? Check out our AI Transformation: Introduction to AI short course.

  Key Learnings:

  This session has been designed to:

  • Discover the capabilities of Microsoft Copilot’s AI from a business point of view
  • Overview of paid AIs like Microsoft Copilot Pro
  • Use free AIs to improve your efficiency/effectiveness with Microsoft Office apps like Word, Outlook and Excel
  •  Super-charge your work using AIs for first drafts or summarising
  • Speed up your content creation process
  • Learn to collate and proof documents and content
  • Identify file types that can be imported/exported
  • Understand the interface and limits of AIs like ChatGPT and Midjourney
  • Learn the how to prompt the AI for best results
  • Discover amazing AI tools like Feedly, Yabble and Perplexity
  • Understand the requirement for appropriate and safe AI use to stay within your governance and data privacy guidelines
  • Understanding the limitations and issues of this technology
  • Best Practice application of external generative AI.

  This course will be delivered online via Zoom. 
  

  For more information, visit lgprofessionalssa.org.au/ai-bootcamp

  
  
  

  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 pd@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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• Save the Date: Business Performance and Improvement Network Forum

  • When
    23 Jul 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    City of Victor Harbor Civic Centre

  

  Registrations for this event/program are not yet available. Please continue to check this page as further details will be provided closer to the event.

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• 2025 Community Development Network Conference - Community Development: Taking it to the Streets

  • When
    25 Jul 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    UCity Function Centre - 43 Franklin Street Adelaide SA 5000

  Register

  
  

  Proudly presented by the LG Professionals SA Community Development Network

  This year's Community Development Network Conference theme is Community Development: Taking it to the Streets.

  Join community development practitioners from across South Australia for a day of bold ideas, practical insights, and real-world stories that reflect the evolving role of local government in shaping stronger, more connected communities. With keynote speaker Dr Peter Westoby, a thought-provoking panel, and case studies from councils leading the way, this is your chance to be inspired, challenged, and re-energised for the future of community development.
  

  All local government professionals with an interest in, or responsibility for, community development or community services are encouraged to attend.

  The full program is coming soon.

  Registration at our events and programs are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA members, council employees, employees of 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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• Introduction to Project Management

  • When
    28 Jul 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street Adelaide SA 5000
  • Spaces left
    5

  Register

  
  

  Project management is a fundamental skill in our modern workforce, as it ensures that what is being delivered is not only right, but that it also delivers against the business opportunity - so it's important that we get it right.

  This course is designed to cover the basic principles of managing projects to help you plan, control and organise activities to ensure that you are delivering successful projects every time. It is best suited for staff who may be new to managing projects or have not previously undertaken any formal project management training.

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

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

  
  
  

  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 Rural Management Challenge

  • When
    18 Sep 2025
  •  
    7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Location
    TBC

  Register

  
  

  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
    TBC

  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
    20

  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 eve@lgprofessionalssa.org.au.

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