A WORD FROM THE CEO
July marks the beginning of a new financial year, and with it, fresh plans and goals. LG Professionals SA is here to support your journey with a range of professional development opportunities. Our team has been working hard to bring you relevant, timely and impactful offerings - so keep an eye out as new sessions are released. Many fill quickly, so we encourage you to register early.
Thank you to all who have renewed your organisation’s membership subscription - we’re excited to continue supporting you and your teams in the year ahead. |
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Last week, we hosted the LG Professionals SA Community Development Network Conference, welcoming practitioners from across South Australia for a day filled with bold ideas, practical insights, and real-world stories. The conference showcased the evolving role of local government in building stronger, more connected communities. Congratulations to the Community Development Network Committee on another exciting and inspiring event.
We’ve also recently launched a new series of Artificial Intelligence training sessions, designed specifically for the local government context. The feedback has been phenomenal, and it’s been a pleasure to provide such timely and relevant content to the sector. If you're curious to learn more, check out our current AI courses - or reach out to share a topic you'd like to see covered in future sessions.
Best of luck to CoSmic Council from the City of Salisbury who will take on challengers from across Australia and New Zealand at the Australasian Management Challenge Final in Perth from 3 to 5 August – you will do SA proud regardless of the outcome.
Wishing you all the best for the month ahead as we continue to make our way through this wintery weather.
Best wishes,
Rhiannon
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Meet the Council Rewriting the Rules on
Access and Representation
How City of Victor Harbor’s award-winning inclusion project is opening doors across the sector.
When Angela Schiller was elected to the City of Victor Harbor Council in 2022, she made history as South Australia’s first Council Member who is blind. But what followed has proven just as significant - an ambitious, whole-of-organisation project to ensure she could participate fully in civic life, and in the process, a new benchmark for accessibility in local government.
Now, that project - Accessibility in Action: Supporting a Council Member who is Blind - has been recognised with the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award at the 2025 LG Professionals SA Leadership Excellence Awards.
For the team behind the initiative, the award is a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to ensuring all voices can be heard - no matter the circumstance. |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA MENTOR MENTEE CONNECTIONS PILOT
Expressions of interest due by Friday 8 August! 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. Express your interest by COB Friday 8 August to be considered for mentoring allocations, with the 2025 Pilot to commence later this year. |
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NEW TOOLS TO SUPPORT COUNCIL WORKFORCE AND PROMOTE CAREERS You can now access a suite of new resources to help tackle workforce challenges and attract the next generation of local government professionals.
Now available via the LGA South Australia Member Portal:
- Promotional Local Government Careers Kit to attract talent and support engagement at expos, schools and online
- Innovative workforce case studies highlighting what’s working across SA councils
- Updated content on the Careers in Council website, including staff videos, pathways and role insights.
Delivered by LGA South Australia and LG Professionals SA through the Building Sector Capability project, these resources will save time, amplify your existing efforts and support long-term workforce capability across the sector. |
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This month we spoke with Andrew Raine, Team Leader of Service & Response, City of Mitcham, about his involvement in the LG Professionals SA Field Workforce Working Group, his biggest takeaways from completing the Ignite Program, and his love for exploring our states hidden gems.
What is your role, and how long have you been in local government?
I’m currently the Team Leader of Service & Response at the City of Mitcham, where my team focuses on maintaining safe and clean public spaces for the community. Our responsibilities include managing traffic signs, line-marking, rapid customer response, graffiti removal, footpath sweeping, and the active identification and management of public hazards. Read more... |
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Andrew Raine
Team Leader of Service & Response
City of Mitcham
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LGRS RISK MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE - RIPPLE EFFECT
Friday 12 September 2025
In an era where the landscape of local government is continually evolving, understanding the interconnection of emerging risks has never been more crucial.
Our corporate partner, LGRS are hosting their annual conference themed "Ripple Effect: Understanding the Interconnection of Emerging Risks," which aims to highlight how the decisions made today can create a ripple effect across various sectors within local government.
This conference will empower local government professionals to develop a proactive and integrated approach to risk management. By fostering collaboration and sharing best practices, we aim to equip attendees with the tools and insights needed to create a resilient and risk-ready future.
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UNLOCKING THE POWER OF MICROSOFT COPILOT
Thursday 9 August 2025
This engaging and immersive workshop is designed to empower participants with the practical skill and knowledge to confidently harness the full potential of all versions of Microsoft Copilot. The session includes Copilot Free, Copilot Chat, and Microsoft 365 Copilot, along with brief insights or demonstrations of additional offerings such as Copilot for Sales, Service, Studio, GitHub Copilot, and integrated tools like Loop, Pages, and BizChat.
Participants will explore the latest AI-powered features, learn how to embed Copilot tools into everyday workflows, and gain insights into how different versions align with their organisational needs and budgets. The session moves from entry-level use cases to advanced applications - demystifying capabilities, pricing, and strategic value. |
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ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Monday 29 September 2025
Our Advanced Project Management course is designed for those ready to move beyond the basics. Perfect for anyone with experience managing projects, or who has completed our Introduction to Project Management. This course digs deeper into project management theory and looks at both operational and strategic elements of project management.
Best suited to those who have some project management experience behind them, and those that have completed the Introduction to Project Management course. |
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We caught up with Claire MacBeth, Community Learning & Activation Leader, City of Charles Sturt, about what led her to participate in the Emerging Leaders Program, her takeaways from a recent module, and what she's most looking forward to as part of the development opportunity.
What made you sign up for the Emerging Leaders Program?
I applied for the Emerging Leaders Program to enhance my self-awareness, identify areas for growth, and further develop my current skill set. I was seeking a meaningful way to invest in my professional development, and the program stood out as the perfect opportunity to do so. Knowing it was the 20th year of the program made it feel even more significant. What better time to take this step in my leadership journey than during such a milestone year?
This wasn’t just about ticking a development box; it was about stepping into the next chapter of my career with intention and purpose.
The most recent UniSA module focused on Organisational Culture and Team Dynamics – what was your biggest takeaway from this session?
Stepping into a new role and leading a new team, this session couldn’t have come at a better time. My biggest takeaway was the power of a common purpose. It reinforced how important it is to create clarity around why we exist as a team, recognise the strengths we each bring, and ensure we’re all heading in the same direction. |
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It’s sparked a renewed focus for me. To take the time to understand our collective skillset, define our shared purpose, and create space for individual and team growth. When people feel valued and connected, that’s when the real magic happens.
What are you most looking forward to as the program progresses?
I’m really looking forward to being stretched, stepping outside my comfort zone and discovering what I’m truly capable of. I’m excited about the opportunity to connect with others in the sector, share experiences, and be part of those powerful conversations that challenge your thinking and spark new ideas.
More than anything, I’m looking forward to gaining a deeper understanding of who I am as a leader and how I can use that insight to create greater impact within my organisation and the community. |
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Claire MacBeth
Community Learning
& Activation Leader
City of Charles Sturt
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NOMINATE NOW - SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON DIGITAL EXCELLENCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Nominations close Sunday 3 August 2025
From game-changing tech to future-shaping strategies, the 2025 LGITSA Achievement Awards are here to celebrate the best in local government IT and Information Management. With nine award categories, this is your chance to recognise the people and projects making real impact. |
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MEMEBERSHIP RENEWALS
We'd like to thank and welcome our new and renewing organisation members. We are grateful to have this opportunity to support all local government staff on their career journey into the future. As your membership Association, we are so grateful for your ongoing support, and investment in your teams.
Not sure if your organisation holds a membership subscription? Click here to find out! |
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YOUR NEEDS, YOUR MEMBERSHIP
1. CONNECT WITH THE BEST
Our members are the leaders of today and tomorrow.
You will make crucial connections to people and
ideas to take your career to the next level.
Learn more about what your LG Professionals SA Membership offers you. |
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NEW
MEMBERS
Welcome
to our 154 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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BRM Advisory are a South Australian management consulting business supporting councils with their strategic, operational and financial challenges. As a proud Platinum partner of LG Professionals SA, they’re a local business who have been working with local government in SA for over 30 years.
In this time, BRM Advisory has provided specialist advice and guidance in strategic planning, service and governance reviews, prudential reviews, financial modelling, sports and recreation, emergency management, coastal adaptation, and climate risk management.
Most recently, they worked with the City of Tea Tree Gully on their Tree Management Internal Audit, the City of Onkaparinga on their Port Noarlunga Driving Range – Strategic Review and EOI Process, and the Resilient Hills and Coasts councils on their Regional Climate Action Plan.
If you’ve got a project or problem that you’d like some extra support with, BRM Advisory is here to assist. Explore more or contact them now through their website or LinkedIn. |
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Our Network Forums provide our Members the opportunity to learn and develop whilst sharing and networking with peers from their own and other councils and subsidiaries across the state. Our upcoming Forums include:
Thursday 4 September 2025 - LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum
Thursday 11 September 2025 - LG Professionals SA General Managers and Directors Network and CEO Network Joint Forum
Wednesday 15 October 2025 - LG Professionals SA People and Culture Network Forum
Wednesday 22 October 2025 - LG Professionals SA Community Development Network Forum
Thursday 30 October 2025 - LG Professionals SA Business Performance and Improvement Network Forum
Thursday 13 November 2025 - LG Professionals SA General Managers and Directors Network Forum Registrations and further details on our Forums coming 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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