This month we spoke with Rebecca Martin, Climate Change Officer, Alexandrina Council, about participating in the 2025 LG Professionals SA Management Challenge, how her background in teaching has assisted her role, and how she unwinds (as a green thumb!).

What is your role and how long have you been in local government?
I’m Alexandrina Council’s Climate Change Officer, and I am now in my second year, following two years in waste education and projects. I transitioned into local government after my tertiary lecturing role ended like so many others during COVID. Prior to teaching, I ran my own women’s health practice for 15 years and completed a master’s in public health, a path that led me into sustainability.

This year you participated in the Local Government Management Challenge. What was something you learned from the challenge that you didn’t expect heading into it?
I was brought in quite late as a “shadow” member, but even from the sidelines, I didn’t expect how inspiring it would be to watch colleagues step up under pressure. I gained so much from the team’s energy and cohesion. I was reminded how much I love team dynamics, and that I really miss mentoring emerging talent.

What advice would you give someone who’s thinking about doing the challenge next year?
Whether you’re competing or shadowing, I think it’s a fantastic opportunity to stretch yourself, test skills – new and old, embrace uncertainty, and build professional relationships.

Your background is in teaching – how has that skill assisted in your work as Climate Change Officer at Alexandrina?
Teaching, as well as my clinical background, trained me to make the complex simple and keep an audience engaged, which is important when trying to inspire action on climate! It’s about helping people not only understand the issues, but to see their relevance, and feel empowered to act.

What do you do with yourself in your spare time?
I’m a lifelong learner and nature lover, I read non-fiction and watch documentaries and am happiest when hiking, rock-climbing, or tending my (modestly successful!) home veggie garden. Getting outside keeps me grounded, energised, and inspired.