December 2025
Edition 171
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MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM LG PROFESSIONALS SA The LG Professionals SA team would like to take this opportunity to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. We look forward to continuing to deliver quality professional development, capacity building and opportunities for connection for our Members in 2026. Our office will be closed from 5:00PM Tuesday 23 December 2025 and will reopen 9:00AM Monday 5 January 2026. Online registrations will still be available during this time. WATCH OUR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR HERE!
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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR LG PROFESSIONALS SA BOARD
On behalf of the LG Professionals SA Board, I extend our warmest wishes to all Members for a safe and happy holiday season. It was wonderful to recently have our new Board come together for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and a shared commitment to providing opportunities that strengthen and support our sector. We look forward to working alongside you in 2026 as we continue to champion the development of local government people and create meaningful opportunities for connection, learning and growth.
Kate O'Neill
President, LG Professionals SA Board |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA 2026 ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE: POWERING LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Friday 20 March 2026
You are the people who POWER local government in South Australia.
Join us for the LG Professionals SA Annual State Conference: Powering Local Government - an inspiring day designed to strengthen the people who support our communities to thrive.
This conference brings together leaders, storytellers, and innovators to explore the skills, insights, and connections that empower local government staff. From impactful leadership and effective communication to workforce wellbeing, resilience, and collaboration, each session is crafted to build your capability, connection, and confidence.
We have recently just launched our full conference program, including change makers, mentors, public figures, an Olympic gold medallist and your peers in local government, for a day of connection, learning, collaboration, and meaningful inspiration to power your work and your council's future. |
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FIELD WORKFORCE SCHOLARSHIP TO LG PROFESSIONALS SA 2026 ANNUAL STATE CONFERENCE: POWERING LOCAL GOVERNMENT To assist in the professional development of our Field Workforce, we are very excited to offer for the second time, eight scholarships for Field Workforce to attend our 2026 Annual State Conference: Powering Local Government. Attendance at the conference will provide the opportunity to network and meet with other field staff and your respective colleagues from a range of roles in the sector, and learn a great deal from a range of speakers. We encourage you to let any of your colleagues working in the Field Workforce know about the opportunity, and to nominate themselves.
If you are an employee as part of the Field Workforce who you would like to nominate to attend, please nominate by 5:00PM on Friday 20 February 2026.
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FINISH THE YEAR STRONG! NOMINATE FOR A 25TH ANNUAL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARD
As we approach the end of another big year in local government, there’s no better time to pause, reflect and celebrate the impact you’ve made. Whether you’ve delivered a project that strengthened your community, built stronger capabilities, or introduced innovation into your place of work - this is your moment to share it. The LG Professionals SA 25th Annual Leadership Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding achievement and innovation across councils and subsidiaries. Your story could be the one that inspires others and shines a light on the incredible work happening across the sector every day. So, before you start counting down the days until the end of the year, take a moment to recognise your achievements and submit your nomination. It’s the perfect way to wrap up 2025 with purpose and pride. |
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The Little Para Golf Course proves that when councils
think creatively, community and economic growth can thrive side by side. There’s a particular kind of magic that happens when a
familiar place becomes something entirely new - when a space people once drove
past suddenly becomes a place they can’t wait to return to. That’s the story
unfolding at the Little Para Golf Course, where the City of Salisbury and
GreenSpace Management have transformed what was once a financial challenge into
a buzzing, proudly local success.
Winner of the 2025 Excellence in Local Economic Development
Award, this project shows what’s possible when councils rethink the way assets
can serve a community. And it all began with one simple question:
What if a struggling golf course could become a destination?
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*NEW LEADERSHIP PROGRAM* XLP – CONNECT
Register now to join us in 2026!
LG Professionals SA is excited to introduce a new offering, XLP – Connect. Designed for leaders ready to pause, reflect, and step into the next horizon of their leadership.
Bringing together XLP Alumni and new participants, this two-day experience creates space for clarity, curiosity, and meaningful connection in a rapidly changing world.
If you’re ready to reconnect with your leadership purpose, we invite you to register and be part of this powerful new program.
Suitable for: XLP – Connect welcomes leaders who have undertaken significant development journeys and those ready to explore the next horizon of their leadership. A space where XLP Alumni and new faces come together to learn, reflect, and shape what’s next in leadership.
Download the prospectus or visit our website. |
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STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
Registrations close Friday 2 January 2026
Developed in partnership with Adelaide University and local government experts, participants of the Strategic Management Program 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 or visit the website to learn more. |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S CAREER CATALYST PROGRAM The LG Professionals SA Women's 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.
Suited for: Women working in leadership roles, team leaders, seniors leaders, managers and executive.
The program commences 24 February 2026 and will conclude 31 March 2026. |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S CAREER NAVIGATOR PROGRAM The LG Professionals SA Women's Career Navigator Program supports women to develop a strong, authentic professional identity and approach their career and work with positivity and proactivity.
Suited for: 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, a variety of employment levels.
The program commences 6 February 2026 and concludes 27 February 2026. |
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2026 IGNITE PROGRAM
Join the waitlist for 2026
The Ignite Program spans 12 program days, plus an orientation session and graduation, and is delivered over 10 months. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive the nationally recognised qualification BSB40520 Certificate IV in Leadership and Management.
The Ignite Program is designed to enable those who have limited experience in managing and leading people to develop the competencies required to be successful in their role.
Registrations are currently sold out, but if you are interested in opportunities for Ignite in 2026 that might become available, please join our waitlist. Download the prospectus or visit the website to learn more. |
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This month we spoke with Joanne Edwards, Manager - Community Insights, City of Playford, about her role (and her 15 years in council!), how her team are the 'dot connectors' painting a rich picture in local government, and how she's raising her little one with her growing VHS collection.
What is your role and how long have you been in local government?
My role at the City of Playford is Manager of the Community Insights team. I’ve been in local government for 15 years – all with Playford. It’s where I’ve grown from a bright-eyed uni graduate to a new mum balancing work and family while leading an incredible team. Playford has given me the chance to learn, strengthen my stakeholder engagement skills, explore different disciplines, return to study, and work alongside people who genuinely care about the community. I’m grateful for every part of the journey. Read more... |
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Joanne Edwards
Manager - Community Insights
City of Playford
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EXCLUSIVE MASTERCLASS - FOUNDATIONS IN SYSTEMS THINKING
Monday 23 February 2026
Organisations are systems, and when we learn to see the relationship between structure and behaviour in our system, we can understand how we might shift structures to enable different/better behaviour patterns. That is systems thinking.
LG Professionals SA is pleased to present this one-day masterclass with guest international facilitator Dr Barry Bales. The program will introduce systems thinking skills that will enable you to effectively define and address organisational challenges. To make this program as practical as possible, participants will practise using their new systems thinking concepts in addressing a real organisational challenge they currently face.
Who should attend? Those in mid or higher-level leadership roles who already have substantial leadership skills and experience. |
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SPEAK WITH INFLUENCE, NEGOTIATE WITH EASE
Friday 20 February 2026
This course will provide you with an insight into your current communication, negotiation and influencing styles. Course facilitator, Gary Edwards, will share a range of tools and frameworks that will enable you to communicate more effectively in any situation.
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POWERFUL BUSINESS WRITING
Monday 2 March 2026
This course uses your own writing examples to demonstrate the use of Plain English principles and persuasive writing techniques.
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AI TRANSFORMATION: INTRODUCTION TO AI
Tuesday 10 March 2026
Discover not only why integrating AI into your work is essential for the future but also how to implement it ethically and responsibly. Learn practical strategies to leverage AI effectively while mitigating risks and ensuring that your adoption of this inevitable technology is both impactful and safe.
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AI BOOTCAMP
Tuesday 10 March 2026
This is a detailed and immersive workshop designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge to harness the full potential of free AI software and programs easily available to you, and to understand more of Microsoft Copilot Pro. You’ll explore how to use free AIs safely, while understanding the difference between free and paid options currently within the market.
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INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Wednesday 25 March 2026
This one-day 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 before.
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ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Wednesday 13 May 2026
Beyond providing you with essential knowledge and skills to plan, manage and execute projects on time and on budget, this course takes a deeper dive into project management theory and looks at both operational and strategic elements of project management.
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Looking for a specific short course or want to secure your place for a courses next scheduled session? Express your interest for the variety of our short courses on offer through LG Professionals SA here.
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We caught up with Alex Kuhndt, Auto Electrician, City of Port Adelaide Enfield, about what led him to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, his biggest takeaway from the program, and his advice for those considering undertaking the program in the future.
What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
I saw the Emerging Leaders Program as an opportunity to challenge myself, grow professionally and step outside my comfort zone. I wanted to build my leadership skills and develop the tools to lead confidently and effectively within the local government environment.
What was your biggest takeaway from the program?
My biggest takeaway was understanding my own leadership style more clearly. The course helped me recognise my natural strengths, the areas I need to develop, and how my approach impacts others. That self-awareness has already changed the way I communicate and collaborate. |
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What advice would you give to someone considering doing the Emerging Leaders Program?
My advice would be to go into the Emerging Leaders Program with an open mind, even if you don’t have a lot of leadership experience yet. I started the program being fairly new to leadership, but I gained so much from the content, the discussions and the support of the group. If you’re willing to participate, ask questions, and learn from others, you’ll be surprised by how much confidence and practical knowledge you walk away with. |
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Alex Kuhndt
Auto Electrician
City of Port Adelaide Enfield
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK CONFERENCE: EMBRACE IT HIGHLIGHTS REEL Throwback to our LG Professionals SA Women's Network Conference! Watch now to reflect and
remember the conference day that was.
A huge thank you to all our speakers, corporate partners, and event
sponsors - your support makes this event possible. Thank you to Stray Creative for joining us and pulling
together these highlights of the day!
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YOUR NEEDS, YOUR MEMBERSHIP
6. TAKE ON A LEADERSHIP ROLE Represent the Association as a Board Member,
Network Committee Member or Chair.
Learn more about what your LG Professionals SA Membership offers you. |
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NEW
MEMBERS
Welcome
to our 18 new Members! Click here to see the list.
We look forward to
providing support and professional development and networking
opportunities
through every stage of your local government career.
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Please save the date for the following LG Professionals SA events for 2026. If you are planning a local government event, we invite you to contact us to avoid date clashes.
Friday 22 May 2026 - LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner Friday 19 June 2026 - LG Professionals SA Economic Development Conference Registrations and further details on our events released soon! |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA SPONSORSHIP AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS
Do you work for or know an organisation who would be interested in gaining exposure to local government professionals through sponsorship with LG Professionals SA?
As a not-for-profit association, LG Professionals SA rely on the support of sponsors to be able to continue to deliver the range of high quality events and professional development programs that we are known for.
Partnering with sponsors also creates opportunities for our members to learn, build
relationships and receive best value. Please contact Megan Down, Manager - Events and Partnerships, for further details on corporate partnership opportunities.
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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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