WELCOME FROM THE COMMITTEE |
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As we reflect on the theme of Navigating Boldly, we’re reminded that boldness takes many forms. Sometimes it’s found on a stage or in a boardroom. Other times, it’s in the quiet decisions made behind the scenes by the steady hands, thoughtful voices, and unwavering commitment of women who lead without being in the spotlight.
This edition honours the quiet achievers within local government, those who are making meaningful change without fanfare or fuss. You may not always see their work, but you feel the results in stronger teams, more inclusive spaces, and thoughtful decisions that serve their communities.
Of course, this doesn’t take away from the women who are front and centre, leading the charge, or being spokespeople. The beauty of our Network lies in its diversity. We are strengthened by all expressions of leadership, whether its loud or quiet, visible or behind-the-scenes. Whether you're holding the mic or holding the team together, we see you, we value you, and we celebrate the unique way you navigate boldly in your world. |
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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.
Please enjoy this edition of our Network newsletter and be sure to save the date for our future Forums and annual conference!
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK FORUM: NAVIGATING BOLDLY |
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The LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Forum, Navigating Boldly, brought together a community of over 170 women, both in person at the Town of Gawler and online, to reflect, reconnect and reframe what it means to boldly carve out the career and life we strive for.
We were fortunate enough to hear from four empowering speakers who each brought their own perspectives on courage, leadership, growth, and resilience.
Jacque Opie, Community Leasing Co-ordinator, City of Adelaide, set the intention for the forum, with an engaging and interactive session on the inner work and alignment of clarity, courage, and confidence. She navigated attendees to reflect on their values, embrace discomfort as part of change, and reconnect with their own purpose. She encouraged all to feel the fear, say yes, and do it anyway!
Bailee Major, Site Supervisor, Sarah Constructions, shared her powerful story of building a career in construction - a space where women are still significantly underrepresented and supported. Her authenticity, determination, and career journey were bold and empowering.
Paula Duldig, Senior Human Resources Professional and Leader, took us on a journey through the brain, blending neuroscience and lived experience to explore how we think, feel, and lead. With openness and wisdom, she offered practical tools we can all use to navigate life and work with greater awareness, empathy, and intention. |
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Hayley Edwards,
Open Space Lead, Town of Gawler, closed the forum with a heartfelt reflection on inclusive design, leadership, and connection to nature. Her story drew on her connection to Country and community and reminded us about the significance of women in leadership and female role models.
We left feeling more connected, more courageous, and inspired to navigate boldly - wherever we may be on our own professional and personal journeys. Personally, the sum and substance of attending these Forums are to prioritise your personal growth and development and surround yourself with likeminded women.
We look forward to seeing you at our September Forum for further development and connection. |
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Emma Grivell
Business Engagement Advisor
City of Charles Sturt |
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A shoutout to our LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum Regional Hubs who came together across South Australia to join in on the Forum virtually. Our Hubs ran in Alexandrina for the Fleurieu Peninsula (pictured above - bottom panel), Murray Bridge, Berri for Riverland/Mallee, and Port Augusta for the Spencer Gulf (pictured above - top panel). Our live stream brought together 25 women across the five Hubs to engage and participate in the event together. |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA MENTOR MENTEE CONNECTIONS PILOT
Mentoring, either as a Mentor or Mentee, can provide unparalleled career guidance, professional support, uncover knowledge sharing opportunities and help individuals grow personally and professionally.
We are inviting all women working in local government to join us in the
LG Professionals SA Women's Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot - an initiative which aims to support women in local government through mentorship, fostering personal and professional growth, and creating valuable networking opportunities.
After a successful first round of this initiative last year, we successfully paired 44 Mentor Mentee partnerships between women in local government from across South Australia. Both Mentors and Mentees embraced their roles with enthusiasm and dedication, actively engaging in the process to build strong, meaningful connections.
Wherever you are in your career, this program will work to pair you with the best professional Mentor/Mentee to provide both with the opportunity for open communication, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to the mentoring process.
LG Professionals SA is now taking expressions of interest, with the 2025 Pilot to commence later this year. |
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We recently spoke with Lucy Ellis from Town of Gawler to hear about her experiences in program development and volunteering, and how she Navigates Boldly in life and work.
Hi Lucy, what does your role at Town of Gawler entail?
Six months ago, I stepped into the new and exciting role as Community Programs Officer at Town of Gawler. Funded through the DHS Community and Neighbourhood Development grant, my role aims to enhance community capacity through the design and implementation of meaningful, inclusive programs that reflect local community needs. I work across various council sites, including Libraries, Community Centres and The Gawler Civic Centre.
Critical to successful program planning and delivery, I’m currently undertaking a community needs analysis to gain a clear understanding of existing strengths, gaps, and future opportunities. This process will help ensure that the programs we design are responsive, relevant and reflective of community priorities. As part of the needs analysis, I will identify opportunities for continuous improvement in placemaking, enhancing access and inclusion and strengthening volunteer recruitment opportunities.
I’m already impressed by the strength of community-led social groups in the Gawler area and the sheer volume of activities in place. I’m looking forward to getting some projects on the ground for the benefit of the community.
What’s been an experience or moment in your role where you have felt especially proud to be working for the community?
I feel like working for the community, in a community development role makes it hard to choose a defining moment or experience as there are so many that make this a space I’m so proud to work in.
One ongoing highlight for me is the process of recruiting and managing volunteers to build successful community programs. I worked with a long-term volunteer who lost her zest for volunteering after her volunteer shift partner of over ten years sadly passed away. We agreed on her current role ceasing and left the option open to explore another role when she was ready.
After a short break, we restarted conversations on volunteering. I remembered her love for musicals and theatre and wondered if we could incorporate that passion into a new community initiative. I floated the idea of a monthly movie group: an opportunity for people to connect and share enjoyment over film. Her eyes lit up and the rest is history. Years later, the group is still flourishing and now has an additional monthly movie screening program.
I find real joy in watching people grow and develop throughout their volunteering journeys. Seeing people regain confidence, reinvigorate their volunteering experience and find a deeper sense of purpose reinforces why I feel so proud to work with the community. |
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Before Town of Gawler you were at Adelaide Hills Council, what’s an important lesson that you have learnt working in local government over the years?
In my 7+ years at Adelaide Hills Council, I managed a vibrant community centre alongside a team of 70 volunteers. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is the power of collaboration. By integrating collaboration into program planning, we achieved stronger outcomes - especially in communication and promotion. Sharing promotional materials across teams helped reach broader audiences and increased program engagement.
Working with teams like library services, sustainability, youth, positive ageing and arts and culture meant we could plan centrally, avoid duplication, and streamline efforts. This not only improved efficiency but created unexpected wins - like the Positive Ageing team coordinating social outings around other programs, boosting community participation and engagement.
Our most recent LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Forum focused on ‘Navigating Boldly, what’s an example of a time you have or have seen someone navigate boldly at work or in life?
On a personal level, I am a founding member and volunteer of a not-for-profit female motorsport club empowering, supporting and creating opportunities for Women to learn and connect with drifting.
In 2014, I started my journey and took the leap to learn how to drift, I had loved the sport since my early teens and had only dreamt of doing this myself. At that time, this was a sport dominated by men and took a lot of courage to put yourself out there and give it a go.
In 2018, I met a small group of passionate, like-minded women and we took bold steps to create a space where women felt welcomed, supported and encouraged in a sport that had long lacked female representation. This was also founded as the first female drift club in Australia.
What started as a dream became a movement and today, The Glitter Gang continues to grow as a vibrant community, redefining who belongs in motorsport and navigating it boldly! |
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Lucy Ellis
Community Programs Officer
Town of Gawler |
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QUIET POWER
By Sandy Beaton, Development Administration Officer, City of Unley
When we close our eyes and imagine what leadership looks like, many people will probably think of words like extroverted, dominant, and charismatic - traditional and stereotypical styles of leadership. But in today’s society, we are beginning to see leaders who lead from an authentic or lateral leadership style. And why these leadership styles are so important? These types of leaders are not necessarily leaders based on authority but rather on presence, knowledge, and experience.
When searching for an article that aligned with the newsletter theme Making Moves without Making Noise, none were quite the right fit. A majority of articles focused solely on authority-based leadership roles being CEOs, Managers and Team Leaders. However, when I reflect and consider the women who are making bold moves from behind the scenes, I think of our executive assistants, administration staff and coordinators. They are the personnel who lay the path for success by planning three months in advance, ensuring that those in executive and leadership positions can effortlessly and successfully undertake their traditional tasks.
I stumbled across a podcast ‘Quiet Power: The Secret of Women Who Hold Their Own’, hosted by Tonya Leigh, which resonated with me. Her focus is on quiet power, where she discusses how power and leadership (the traditional sense) don’t always go hand in hand. Instead, women who lead with quiet power are as effective leaders, if not more so, than those who lead loudly and traditionally. There is a quote from her podcast: “Quiet power isn’t about being the loudest, but being the most certain”.
This is a quote I believe that we can all learn from and embrace. If we have certainty in ourselves and lead authentically, then we can all lead from the side with impact.
I encourage you to put in your earphones for half an hour this afternoon and listen to the podcast, available through the button below. Trust in yourself and embrace your own quiet power, being certain in the amazing qualities of your character. |
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SAVE THE DATE - LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK FORUM
As we polish off our second Forum of the year, please save the date for the next
LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum set to take place on Thursday 4 September 2025.
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JOIN US AT LUNCHTIME: AI DEMYSTIFIED
The next Lunch & Learn session will be hosted by the LG Professionals SA Business Performance and Improvement Network and is focused on AI Demystified.
Artificial intelligence isn’t just on the horizon - it’s here. But what does it really mean for your organisation, your workforce, and the communities you serve?
AI Demystified is a dynamic session designed to break through the hype, build awareness, and spark meaningful conversation about how AI is shaping the future of local government. Join speakers Sara Kinzie and Ania Karzek, as they explore how to build a bold, ethical AI culture - equipping staff to embrace AI with curiosity and confidence, while navigating its ethical risks with responsibility and care. |
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TOOLS, RECOMMENDATIONS & RESOURCES
The Committee have come across the following useful tools, recommendations and resources: |
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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; Sandy Beaton, Emma Grivell, Donna Johnston and Jacque Opie. |
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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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