Upcoming Programs & Events

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• 2025 Executive Leaders Program

  • Start
    29 Jan 2025
  •  
  • End
    29 Apr 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    11 sessions
  • Location
    Various

  

  What role will you play in the future of local government?

  With a complex and continuously evolving sector, it is now more essential than ever that local government is prepared for the future. New services, new skills, local and global impacts and the ever-changing digital landscape have fundamentally changed expectations of both the nature and delivery of services.

  On completion of this program, participants will be able to:

  • Make progress on complex problems in an agile way
  • Navigate rapidly changing and evolving environments
  • Collaborate and work more effectively with different stakeholder groups
  • Make better decisions in uncertain, complex and ambiguous situations
  • Manage their energy to best serve their communities
  • See and consider multiple perspectives
  • Be more conscious of what is personally holding them back from delivering to their full potential

  • Build resilience through cognitive flexibility and a strengths-focused mindset

  • Apply strengths in addressing challenges, improving leadership effectiveness and driving team performance. 

  This program is for experienced senior local government leaders in regional and metropolitan councils and subsidiaries who are seeking to expand their thinking and leadership impact.

  Download the 2025 Prospectus

  
  

  Registration 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.

  By registering for this 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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• 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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• Women's Career Catalyst Program

  • Start
    20 Feb 2025
  •  
  • End
    27 Mar 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street, Adelaide SA 5000
  • Spaces left
    4

  

  The LG Professionals SA Career Catalyst Program is designed for female leaders who want to build a strong leadership legacy and identity, without compromising their values, wellbeing or relationships.

  The program equips participants with:

  • a deeper understanding of their current professional terrain, and the skills and tools required to navigate it with resilience and authenticity
  • skills to build an authentic 'leadership presence', communicate with clarity and increase workplace impact and influence
  • an understanding of how gender dynamics can influence workplace, particularly leadership experience, and tried-and-tested tools to respond effectively to bias and double standards
    

  Designed to be highly interactive with an emphasis on peer learning, the Career Catalyst Program is made up of a virtual orientation session, two-day in person workshop and three virtual implementation sessions, which provide ongoing accountability, the opportunity to troubleshoot, experiment, celebrate successes and share insights and support with co-participants.

  Download the full flyer here
  

  

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

  By registering for this 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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• Women's Career Navigator Program

  • Start
    19 Mar 2025
  •  
  • End
    16 Apr 2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street, Adelaide SA 5000
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  

  The LG Professionals SA Career Navigator Program supports women to develop a strong, authentic professional identity and approach their career and work with positivity and proactivity.

  The Program equips participants with the knowledge, skills and confidence to:

  • build their professional presence and profile
  • maintain their cool in stressful and challenging situations
  • understand and navigate organisational politics and team dynamics with integrity
  • apply a Growth Mindset to personal and professional challenges to build resilience and wellbeing
  • set and pursue personal and professional goals.

  Designed to be highly interactive, with an emphasis on peer learning, the Career Navigator Program is made up of two 1.5-hour online sessions and a two-day in person workshop at LG House, which will equip you with skills and tools to dial down your inner critic, build your career courage and take charge of your life and career.

  • Aspiring leaders
  • High potential women
  • Women who may not wish to move into more senior roles, but who want to build their professional profile and cultivate greater influence and impact in the workplace.

  Download the full flyer here
  
  

  
  

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

  By registering for this 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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• Business Performance and Improvement Network Forum: CX Connect – Insights for Impact

  • When
    25 Mar 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    City of Charles Sturt Civic Centre - 72 Woodville Road, Woodville SA 5011

  Register

  

  Join us for the upcoming LG Professionals SA Business Performance and Improvement Network Forum: CX Connect – Insights for Impact.

  This Forum will explore how local governments can enhance customer experience (CX) through innovative programs, cultural transformation and strategic communication. Hear firsthand from councils leading the way in customer-centric initiatives and engage in interactive discussions on key challenges facing the sector.

  This Forum will be held in person and via Zoom.

  
  

  Voice of Customer Journey

  Raechel Pratt - Lead Systems & Insights, Customer Experience, City of Adelaide

  Kristy Noakes - Manager Community Engagement and Experience, City of Charles Sturt

  
  

  The session will explore the Voice of Customer programs established by the City of Adelaide and the City of Charles Sturt. It will cover the purpose of these programs, how customer feedback is collected and what happens with the feedback to improve services and customer experience.

  
  

  Customer Service is Everybody’s Business

  Megan Bradman - Manager Customer Experience, City of Marion

  Adopting the approach that customer service is everybody’s business; the City of Marion has transformed the culture of its organisation and the experiences of its customers. By focusing on culture and empowering every person in the organisation with a wealth of data, ‘hands on’ tools such as real-time dashboards and business partnering, they are creating a transformative shift in organisational culture and an understanding that customer service is everybody’s business.

  
  

  Empowering Our Customers - Channel of Choice

  Panellists to be announced soon

  This panel discussion will explore how we understand, manage, and deliver various customer communication channels. It will debate whether to promote in-house browser-based portals or accept external platforms like Snap Send Solve, My Local Services, email, and others. The discussion will also address whether businesses have control over channel choices or if customers dictate them. Key considerations include efficiency, cost-to-serve, integration challenges, and the impact of managing multiple channels.

  
  

  CX Challenges in the Sector - Workshop

  This workshop will begin by collecting CX challenges from attendees. Participants will then be divided into groups; each assigned a challenge to brainstorm and discuss potential solutions. The findings will be shared with the larger group, and a summary of the results will be compiled and posted on the Business Performance and Improvement Network’s Viva Engage site.

  

  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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• Network Lunch and Learn Series: Building Capability for Local Impact Webinar

  • When
    26 Mar 2025
  •  
    12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
  • Location
    Virtual (via Zoom)

  Register

  
  

  Our first Lunch & Learn hosted by the LG Professionals SA People & Culture Network and brought to you by Gallup, is focusing on Building Capability for Local Impact.

  Councils across Australia face numerous workplace challenges, from attracting and engaging the best talent, managing workplace safety, to delivering high performance. Developing highly capable people leaders is critical.

  Join us as we draw on decades of global research to discover what the best people leaders do to create thriving workplaces and how organisations across Australia are applying these insights to develop contemporary people leaders.

  We’re pleased to be joined by Patricia Hubbard, ANZ Head of Consulting, Gallup and local government leaders Amy Pearce, Manager People and Culture, City of Charles Sturt and Holly McBride, Executive Manager People, Strategy & Wellbeing, Fraser Coast Regional Council (QLD) who will share their experiences of building leadership capability that creates high engagement and performance in their councils - from a council in the early stages of their engagement journey, to another with sustained engagement and results. 

  Key Takeaways:

  • Uncover the power of data-driven strategies in local government
  • Discover the value of leveraging validated tools and frameworks to enhance organisational capability
  • Gain practical insights into how two Australian councils are translating engagement data into real-world impact
  • Learn how Gallup’s science has supported this journey, empowering teams to create sustainable, local-level change.

  This session is a must-attend for local government leaders, People and Culture professionals and interested Network Members seeking to drive engagement and deliver lasting community outcomes.

  This webinar will be delivered via Zoom

  Registrations for this event are open to Local Government Professionals Australia, SA Network Members, 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 admin@lgprofessionalssa.org.au

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• LG Professionals SA Community Development Network Forum: Exploring Inclusion in Local Government: Beyond Plans and Policies

  • When
    03 Apr 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    Virtual

  Register

  

  Join the LG Professionals SA Community Development Network for their first Forum of 2025: Exploring Inclusion in Local Government: Beyond Plans and Policies.

  Local governments play a crucial and hands-on role in fostering inclusive communities, where they welcome and support people in a variety of situations, all with unique needs. These demographics include living with disability, neurodivergent, culturally diverse, newly arrived, First Nations, LGBTQIA+, youth and aged populations and a range of other individuals and groups.

  Strategies, frameworks, and legislation help guide this work, however, in true community development style, the stories of good practice within our communities is where inclusion really starts to come alive.

  Join us for an engaging online session where we’ll share short stories illustrating the power of authentic inclusion, together with the latest initiatives that councils are adopting when approaching inclusion. This session is for anyone involved in working with communities.

  Further information on these short stories is below:

  Inclusion across council: Driving change through authentic engagement 
  Kelly Morris, Community Inclusion Project Officer, City of Tea Tree Gully

  The City of Tea Tree Gully Disability Access and Inclusion Plan (DAIP) community reference group, with lived experience of disability, has encouraged council to enhance its approach to disability and neurodiversity. Authentic engagement with this group has influenced Elected Members and departments across the council, leading to the installation of many varied initiatives; of which this presentation will touch on three:

  1) Changing Places facilities
  2) a series of autism regulation projects
  3) the development of inclusive playgrounds, accessible events, and expos.

  Learn how this group formed and how their stories and advocacy have driven meaningful and embedded changes across council.

  
  

  Building Understanding and Inclusion Through Human Library Events
  Abdulsalam Hamid Juma, Community Development Practitioner, City of Charles Sturt

  Abdulsalam will share insights from an innovative initiative that brings communities together through storytelling, shared meals, and meaningful partnerships.

  This model fosters genuine connection by engaging with ‘human books’ - individuals from diverse backgrounds, including refugees, asylum seekers and First Nations peoples, who share their lived experiences in a supportive space.

  Learn how collaboration and community-led approaches build empathy, strengthen relationships, and inspire deeper inclusion beyond policies. Discover key insights and explore how this partnership-driven model can be adapted in local government settings to create lasting impact.

  
  

  Enriching the Lives of Riverland & Mallee Young People Through Creativity, Theatre and Play
  Sam Wannan, Artistic Director and Fleur Kilpatrick, Associate Artist, Riverland Youth Theatre

  Riverland Youth Theatre (RYT) enriches the lives of young people in the South Australian Riverland and Mallee through creativity, theatre and play. They make art with and for community, and empower children and young people as artists, makers, storytellers, learners, and doers. They offer professional development for teachers and artists, opportunities for parents/carers to interact creatively with their children, community arts-based projects and, crucially, a safe place for all children and young people to be themselves.

  RYT are deeply committed to providing a space that is safe, inclusive, and joyful for all children. Inclusion, accessibility, and affordability is central to how they work and the activities they offer. They acknowledge that there are many barriers that may prevent young people and their families from engaging with art. They proactively work to dismantle these barriers, embrace difference and welcome our beautiful, diverse community. 
  

  
  Integrated planning vs multiple plans – A cohesive, outcomes focused approach
  Erica Gurner, Social and Cultural Sustainability Planner, City of Marion

  Inclusion is both about values, how we approach and consider people, and context, who we are including and what we're including them in. Different groups often need different approaches. Within a council this can lead to the creation of multiple overlapping plans and overwhelm by different parts of the organisation.

  An outcomes approach to strategic planning can help tie these plans together, by telling one overall story and branching off into the sub-stories of different groups, in an integrated way.

  At the City of Marion, our new Regional Public Health Plan makes visible the health and wellbeing system in council and the and outcomes we want for the whole community. We are working on how to align our various other plans including the DAIP, Reconciliation Action Plan, Multicultural and Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging Plan, with this plan utilising this cohesive and strategic approach.
  
  

  Intercultural City
  Vesna Haracic, Manager Community Diversity & Inclusion, City of Salisbury

  Intercultural Salisbury is a leading initiative that celebrates and fosters cultural diversity within our community. Through innovative programs like Intercultural Workshops and Diversitours, we create meaningful opportunities for connection, understanding, and inclusion. Diversitours is Australia’s first cultural tourism project of its kind, offering immersive experiences that showcase the rich cultural heritage of Salisbury’s diverse communities. These initiatives not only promote social cohesion but also position the City of Salisbury as a model for intercultural engagement, demonstrating how embracing diversity enriches our local identity and strengthens community ties.

  More information coming soon on the following story: 

  Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Cultural Centre Co-Design
  Matthew Rose, Program Lead - Yitpi Yartapuultiku Aboriginal Cultural Centre,
  City of Port Adelaide Enfield

  
  

  
  

  

  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 Management Challenge

  • When
    09 Apr 2025
  •  
    7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    Adelaide Showground - Goodwood Road, Wayville SA 5034

  
  

  The 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 prospectus 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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• Managing Your Time, Energy and Priorities

  • When
    29 Apr 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street, Adelaide SA 5000
  • Spaces left
    21

  Register

  
  

  This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to improve your time management approach to your daily and weekly workload - work smarter, not harder!

  You’ll dive into issues that are preventing you from reaching optimum effectiveness and develop a range of techniques and strategies to better manage your time and get more out of your day.

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

  For more information, visit lgprofessionalssa.org.au/managing-your-time-energy-and-priorities.

  

  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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• Advanced Project Management

  • When
    06 May 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    LG House, 148 Frome Street Adelaide SA 5000
  • Spaces left
    13

  Register

  
  

  Project management is something we do every day in local government and it’s an area we should be leaders in.
  
  Beyond providing you with essential knowledge and skills to plan, manage and execute projects on time and on budget, this program takes a deeper dive 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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• People and Culture Network Forum

  • When
    08 May 2025
  •  
    9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    TBA

  

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

  

  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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• 24th Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner

  • When
    09 May 2025
  •  
    6:30 PM - 11:30 PM
  • Location
    Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace Adelaide

  Register

  The Local Government Professionals Australia, SA Leadership Excellence Awards Program recognises outstanding achievement and innovation in local government. The association is pleased to present a program that not only recognises excellence, but contributes to the advancement and improvement of local government as a sector.
  

  Join us to celebrate the achievements of local government professionals.

  Event Details:

  • Pre-Dinner Arrivals: 6:30pm

  • Dinner: 7:00pm

  • Dress: Cocktail

  Registrations close Monday 28 April 2025 unless sold out prior.

  For assistance, please email mhay@lgprofessionalssa.org.au or phone 8224 2080.

  This event is only open to people employed by a council or other local government entity unless they are event sponsors or corporate partners. 

  Note: A cancellation policy applies to this event. Please view the policy here before registering. 
  

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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

  Join waitlist

  

  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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• 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
    20

  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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