WELCOME FROM YOUR
COMMITTEE MEMBERS |
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Welcome to the final Women’s Network Newsletter for 2025!
It’s been another inspiring year of connection, learning, and empowerment across our sector. From thought-provoking forums to our LG Professionals SA Annual Women's Network Conference, every event has reminded us of the power of women supporting women - sharing experiences, insights, and encouragement to grow both personally and professionally.
We’ve seen great engagement in our Mentor Mentee Connection Pilot and continued to spotlight incredible women making an impact in local government. As the year closes, we encourage you to pause and celebrate your achievements, big and small.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of the Network this year - your energy and commitment continue to drive meaningful change. We look forward to reconnecting in 2026 with more opportunities to learn, lead and lift each other up.
With warm regards,
Your Women’s Network Committee Members
Dani Scuteri, Renee Stevens and Emma Grivell
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If you know of a woman who is new to your organisation or someone who hasn’t yet participated in our events before, please share this newsletter with them and encourage them to activate their membership via this link. We would love to ensure that all women in the sector have access to what we do.
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK CONFERENCE: EMBRACE IT |
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Earlier this month, 258 women gathered at the Morphettville Event Centre for the
LG Professionals SA Annual Women’s Network Conference. More than ten inspirational speakers delivered a jam-packed program filled with real-life stories and practical insights. The theme “Embrace It” resonated throughout the day, with vulnerability and authenticity emerging as powerful drivers of connection, leadership, and even financial growth. Attendees were encouraged to “flex our confidence muscle” and “embrace the uncomfortable” moments that often lead to magic. The atmosphere was electric, with a constant hum of conversation as LG Professional Women shared ideas and built new connections. |
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As Erin Phillips shared, the only words that scare her are the “what ifs” and “if onlys.” We hope everyone left feeling enriched, inspired, and ready to step into their power; remembering that “you always have permission to fail, provided that you learn from it.” |
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Renee Stevens
Return to Work and Work Health Safety Administration Officer |
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FEMALE FIELD STAFF SCHOLARSHIPS EMPOWERS WOMEN TO CONNECT AND EMBRACE AT LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK CONFERENCE
At LG Professionals SA, we know that leadership and inspiration can come from every corner of local government - including those out in the field. This year, we were proud to offer a special Women’s Network Conference Scholarship to support women working in field-based roles across councils, from parks and gardens to signage, waste management, and infrastructure.
Through this initiative, ten women working in the Field Workforce joined us at the 2025 Women’s Network Conference: Embrace It.
For many recipients, the conference was a rare opportunity to step away from the tools and into a space of connection, learning and inspiration. Surrounded by more than 250 women from across the sector, they heard from powerful speakers, shared stories, and felt part of something bigger - a network of women shaping the future of local government.
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. Many spoke about how energising it was to be recognised and included, particularly as women working in traditionally male-dominated areas. The experience gave them renewed confidence and a sense of belonging within the local government community.
We’re proud to have created this opportunity and look forward to continuing to support women across all roles, in offices, depots and beyond, to connect, grow and lead. |
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A MESSAGE FROM WOMEN'S NETWORK CONFERENCE SPEAKER, ALLY NITSCHKE
We were so thrilled to have Ally Nitschke, Leadership and Communication Expert at Made for More, join us at this year’s Women’s Network Conference to lead her powerful keynote, Embracing Courageous Conversations.
Ally was blown away by the energy and connection in the room and has recorded a special video message just for our Women’s Network community.
In her follow-up message, Ally shares her gratitude for being part of such an inspiring day, and provides exclusive access to additional resources from her session, including her Boundaries toolkit, “Stop Apologising” slides, and the Bird Styles framework for navigating communication styles. |
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We recently spoke with Lee-anne Graham, Manager Solutions at Alexandrina Council, to hear about her career journey in councils across Australia, what traits make for a great leader, and how saying 'yes' has opened doors that she never imagined!
Hi Lee-anne, what does your role at Alexandrina Council entail?
As Manager Solutions at Alexandrina Council, I oversee two key teams: Business Solutions and Information Management.
My role focuses on driving digital transformation, streamlining business processes, and ensuring strong information governance. I work closely with stakeholders across all service areas to deliver innovative technology solutions that enhance efficiency, improve service delivery, and support the organisation to foster a culture of continuous improvement.
You’ve been a people leader for some time now – what are the fundamental traits you believe are important to leading a team?
I’ve been with Alexandrina Council for 12 years and have led people throughout this time. My leadership approach is grounded in being genuine, authentic and compassionate, empowering my team, and showing empathy. I believe in being present when needed, creating opportunities for growth, and maintaining regular check-ins to support both professional development and overall wellbeing. By fostering trust and open communication, I aim to create an environment where individuals feel valued, supported, and motivated to achieve their best. Leadership for me is about enabling people to thrive while delivering outcomes that align with organisational goals.
Before your current role, you were the Manager Customer Service at Alexandrina Council. What are the benefits of a career spanning different units within council?
In my previous role as Manager Customer Service, I looked after a diverse portfolio including Customer Experience, Libraries, Visitor Services and Events. |
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Working across these areas gave me a real appreciation for the breadth of services council provides and the impact those areas have on our community. I loved the variety and the chance to connect with so many different teams and people. It was rewarding to see how each area contributes to creating great experiences for residents and visitors. Taking on new opportunities has taught me adaptability, broadened my perspective, and shaped how I lead today with a strong focus on collaboration and community. Our most recent 2025
LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Conference theme was ‘Embrace It’! What’s something you’ve embraced either recently or across your career?
My career in local government began in 2001 at Yarra City Council in Melbourne as their Team Leader Customer Service. Over the past 24 years, I’ve embraced every opportunity - opportunities for secondments, committee roles, and to learn new skills. I’ve always put my hand up for new challenges, and each experience has shaped my growth and perspective. Saying ‘yes’ has opened doors I never imagined and taught me the value of stepping outside my comfort zone, which has shaped who I am today. My most recent “Embrace It” opportunity was putting myself forward to be the President of Great Southern 8Ball Association, slightly daunting and overwhelming at times, but I love it! |
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Lee-anne Graham
Manager Solutions
Alexandrina Council |
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Know of a woman working in local government who has an interesting story? We want to hear from you! Let our Network know via networks@lgprofessionalssa.org.au with their name, role and council, and we will note them down for a future feature opportunity. |
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LEADING WITH CONNECTION, HUMOUR AND HUMANITY
By Dani Scuteri, Coordinator Community Safety, City of Charles Sturt
In a world of constant change and competing priorities, genuine connection has never been more important. Leadership isn’t just about strategy and outcomes — it’s about how we make people feel along the way. Leading with connection, humour and humanity reminds us that empathy and authenticity build trust, inspire collaboration, and create psychologically safe spaces where others can thrive. Humour lightens moments of pressure, helping us stay grounded and resilient, while humanity invites vulnerability and compassion, the traits that turn managers into leaders people want to follow. As you navigate your own leadership journey, ask yourself: Am I leading in a way that helps others feel seen, supported and valued? Small moments of kindness and laughter can leave a lasting impact and that’s true leadership in action.
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FINAL CALL! JOIN THE LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK COMMITTEE
Nominations closing Friday 21 November
Be part of a Network Committee that aims to maintain and improve the role of women employed in local government, to celebrate their contributions, and identify and provide opportunities to network and/or access development and training.
The Women's Network Committee meet regularly throughout the year, considering current themes and challenges experienced by women in local government, developing relevant opportunities for networking and personal and professional growth.
The Women's Network Committee wish to invite nominations for the following:
- Two (2) positions for a one-year term, concluding 30 November 2026
- Seven (7) positions for a two-year term, concluding 30 November 2027
For further information regarding nominating for the Women’s Network Committee, please click here.
Nominations can be made by completing the online nomination form accessible via the button below by 5:00PM Friday 21 November 2025. |
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TOOLS, RECOMMENDATIONS & RESOURCES Below are some resources that our Committee have pulled together to support you in your work.
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INVITATION TO CONNECT
As the LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Committee represents you, we would love to hear your suggestions of content for future editions. Please feel encouraged to send relevant articles, links, profiles or information through to networks@lgprofessionalssa.org.au .
This edition of the newsletter was written by the following LG Professionals SA Women's Network Committee Members, we thank them for their insights, time and commitment; Dani Scuteri, Renee Stevens and Emma Grivell. |
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ABOUT LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROFESSIONALS AUSTRALIA, SA
LG
Professionals SA is a not-for-profit member based association representing
professionals working in local government in South Australia.
We have
the ability to link and connect people from different councils who may not
otherwise form relationships or share.
Our high
quality professional development programs and networking events are uniquely
local government – reflective of the culture of the sector and sensitive to the
needs of its
professionals.
The
content of our events and programs are informed by our members and people who
genuinely care about the sector.
We
provide a safe and supportive environment in which to grow and learn while
creating
opportunities to make time away from the office to work on the
business or on self.
We award and acknowledge
achievements of excellence. |
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