Join us for the first LG Professionals SA People and Culture Network Forum of 2026: Recognition in Action. A practical, thought-provoking forum exploring how councils can move beyond rewards to create meaningful, everyday recognition that drives engagement, belonging and performance. From research insights and sector led case studies to low cost, high‑impact ideas you can implement immediately, this Forum brings together academics, practitioners and peers to share what’s working and what’s next.
This Forum will be held in person at Tiwu Kumangka (Blackwood Library and Community Centre) 2/4 Young Street, Blackwood SA 5051 and via Zoom on Tuesday 31 March 2026 9:30AM – 12:30PM.
Read more about each session below:
Recognising and Rewarding Staff in Local Government
Dr Sarah Chua
Program Director and Senior Lecturer
Adelaide University
In 2025, UniSA released the Recognising and Rewarding Staff in Local Government report, research co‑funded by the Local Government Research and Development Scheme. The report uncovers how councils across Australia are approaching staff recognition amid rising public scrutiny and shifting employee expectations.
Join Dr Sarah Chua as she unpacks the story behind the research, explores the historical context, highlights key insights, and shares practical, actionable ways you can strengthen recognition in your organisation.
Empower your teams. Boost morale. Celebrate what’s working and discover what’s next.
Case studies
Recognition Reframed
Jo McCarthy
Unit Manager Organisational Development
City of Marion
Recognition matters, yet the rules have changed. It’s no longer about what we do, but about how. Discover how the City of Marion is embedding a practical, principle driven approach to recognition, championed by the Executive, Senior Leadership and People and Culture teams. While we all understand its impact on wellbeing, belonging, retention, attraction and culture, recognition does not need to be risk averse to be responsible. Marion is embracing a thoughtful, transparent and policy anchored approach that is both fair and purposeful.
Recognition, Rebuilt
Gus Rankine
Manager People and Safety
Alexandrina Council
Gus will take us through the journey he and his team embarked on to reconfigure recognition within their workplace. Through a clear values realignment and peer-based gratitude program, he will run through the overarching systems Alexandrina Council created to strategically map its recognition framework into their overall Employee Lifecycle.
Social Connection as Recognition
Michael Mallamo
Coordinator, Strategic Planning
City of Adelaide
As the current Co-Executive Officer of the City of Adelaide Social Club Committee, Michael and the team have been working closely with the City of Adelaide People Program to navigate what Reward and Recognition can look like for Adelaide, including all staff events and partnering to promote and work together for the benefit of the whole organisation. The City of Adelaide has also leveraged their more formal structure and financial power in recent years to support several other Council's to participate and join in social activities.
Michael will present some of the work they have done with a focus on governance, People and Culture collaboration, staff social connections and working across the sector.
Turning Insight into Action
In this final session Gus Rankine will lead an interactive workshop designed to turn today’s insights into real‑world action. Drawing on the case studies shared throughout the forum, participants will explore practical steps you can take immediately, experiment with shifting from “reward” to “recognition” language and uncover low‑cost initiatives that make a meaningful impact.
Come ready to collaborate, challenge thinking, and walk away with clear, actionable next steps to strengthen recognition in your workplace.
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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