This month we spoke with Renee Stevens, Return to Work and Work Health Safety Administration Officer, City of Marion, about her biggest takeaways from the recent LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum, what she's looking forward to at the Women's Network Conference, and we find out about her musical talents - including having performed alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra! 

What is your role and how long have you been in local government?

I’m a Return to Work and Work Health Safety Administration Officer with the City of Marion. I’ve been in local government for almost three years, working across Business Support and Work Health Safety teams. Before joining local government, my career was in finance and management within the not-for-profit and private sectors. I was also privileged to participate in the LG Professionals SA Management Challenge in 2024, which provided me with a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of local government and deepened my appreciation for the outstanding work being done across the sector.

What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Conference?

So many things! The program looks amazing. I’m especially looking forward to the “Embracing Your Values: Unlocking Purpose at Work and in Life” session with Gemma Cunningham. I’ve always been a firm believer in finding a heart connection in everything I do, and my work life is no different. I have found that when I uncover the unique element within each role that connects to my broader passions, my work transforms from a transactional experience into one that is fuelled by purpose and heart, no matter how small that connection may be.

You recently MCed our last Women’s Network Forum – what was your biggest takeaway from the day?

In my opening message, I mentioned both the honour of MCing the event and my belief that every attendee would leave with at least one key learning to take back to their work and personal lives. I had many takeaways myself, but the one that stood out most was hearing first-hand from the Mentor/Mentee panel. There’s something different about listening to people speak about their experiences; it articulates the impact in a way that’s hard to gauge from an email. Their stories inspired me to put my own name forward to be matched with a mentor!

What’s next for you in your professional development journey?

This one is a little unknown at the moment, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I don’t have a clear answer just yet. I’ve only recently moved into the WHS sphere and completed my Certificate IV, so right now it’s about settling into my new team at City of Marion and reflecting on how I can best grow here. I’m excited to explore what’s next, and I have a feeling that will be one of the first topics I’ll discuss when I’m matched with my mentor.

Tell us something about you that we don’t know?

I’m a musician and singer in my spare time. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of performing with large choral groups alongside the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, taking part in amateur musical theatre productions, and singing the national anthems as a soloist at Anzac Day Dawn Services. These days, I’m focused on my solo work, performing at various wineries and venues across the southern regions of Adelaide. Music has always been a creative outlet for me; it brings balance, joy, and a wonderful contrast to my professional life in the safety and wellbeing space.