WELCOME FROM THE COMMITTEE

Welcome to the April edition of the LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Newsletter.

The theme of the Network for 2024 is ‘Belonging’, which is an opportunity to build on and encourage inclusivity, helping members to feel valued in their workplace and give them the confidence to be their authentic self, always. We will deep dive into this theme in various ways throughout the year, so watch this space!

It was great to see so many of you at the recent March Forum. We hope to see you all again at the next Forum, to be held on 13 June at the District Council of Yankalilla. The Forum will be launched soon and we encourage you to register as soon as possible to secure your seat.

We look forward to a big year ahead with you all!

Best wishes

Naomi Molloy, Donna Johnston and Jaimi Bradshaw
LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Committee 

April 2024
Edition 6

A WORD FROM THE CHAIR

At the beginning of this year we welcomed Danielle Somerville in the position of Vice Chair for the Network Committee. Dani is a passionate member of our committee and is always seeking ways to be inclusive and asking how we can do things differently. I cannot wait to see what we can achieve with her guidance and support.

I want to take this opportunity to give a heartfelt thank you to Kate Grigg our outgoing Vice Chair. Kate is also a Board Member of LG Professionals SA and has been instrumental in creating opportunities for the outdoor workforce, particularly women in high-vis. She is always a strong advocate and ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, for people who are neurodivergent, and for people living with disabilities. Thank you, Kate, for all your contributions and support as Vice Chair, I look forward to seeing what you achieve in the future.

Lastly, the LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Committee is in the final stages of developing the strategic action plan for the Network. This will help inform our Network activities and offerings for the next 3 years and will have key values and themes to guide it. I’d like to thank the committee for their discussion and contributions into this important piece of work.

Please enjoy this edition of your Network newsletter and be sure to save the date for our future forums and annual conference!

Naomi Molloy
Finance Systems Analyst
City of Unley
Women's Network Chair

REFLECTIONS FROM THE LG PROFESSIONALS SA WOMEN'S NETWORK FORUM: MY WORTH

Thank you to all network members who attended the first LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum of 2024, ''My Worth,'' held at the City of Charles Sturt Civic Centre on Thursday, 14 March. We were thrilled to have a sellout attendance for in-person participation at our first forum, and it was great to see some of our regional members hosting hubs to attend together.

Launched by Chair Naomi Molloy and emceed by Vice Chair Dani Somerville, we started the day off with a game of two truths and a lie, in which fellow attendees had to guess which one was the lie. It's not as easy as you think!

Matilda Rose was our first guest speaker. She described her journey as a bit of a roller coaster but worthwhile. Matilda talked about self-worth, meaningful values, and the importance of setting career goals, which flowed in nicely with the value mapping and goal-setting exercise. Matilda's theme of Value-driven goals for purpose and fulfilment in your career really set the scene for the morning.

After a short break, we heard a vulnerable, open, and optimistic story from Hayley Ashworth, Team Leader Sports and Recreation, City of Mitcham. Throughout her life, Hayley has encountered many defining moments, all captured by her belief that "Diversity doesn't have to crush you, beautiful things grow from s***."

Many years after working in Adelaide, Hayley bit the bullet and moved back home to Renmark to be with her family. Thinking this was a step back in her career, Hayley soon realised this was her vast step forward to breaking into the world of local government and in September 2019, Hayley seamlessly integrated into the City of Mitcham team, bringing with her a combination of enthusiasm, perseverance, and a keen embrace of eight essential life lessons. Reflecting on her journey, she summarised her philosophy: "Defining moments define you."

On behalf of the Women's Network Committee, I want to thank all the speakers, those who attended in person and on Zoom and especially the City of Charles Sturt for hosting us in their excellent Civic Centre.

Donna Johnston
Team Leader Marketing and Communications
Town of Gawler

LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum 'My Worth'.

SHOUT OUT TO THE WOMEN'S NETWORK FORUM REGIONAL HUBS

Attending Women's Network Forums provides valuable opportunities for our Network members, and we are thrilled that these are accessible to both metro and regional participants. 

Recognising that travel and time can be a barrier to attendance, LG Professionals SA is pleased to offer the option of virtual forum attendance. In 2023, we saw a surge in virtual registrations, through the formation of Regional Hubs. A Regional Hub allows one or more neighbouring councils to come together in one location, and participate in a forum whilst having the opportunity to network with one another during the breaks. 

If you are interested in hosting a regional hub for the Forums held on Thursday 13 June and/or Wednesday 11 September, please reach out to Haylie Maynard, Membership and Networks Officer at haylie@lgprofessionalssa.org.au to express your interest. 

Alexandrina Council and District Council of Yankalilla attendees came together to virtually attend the
Women's Network Forum 'My Worth'.

We recently spoke with Emma Rennie from Town of Gawler about her role as Manager Information, Records and Business Improvement and her career to date.

What’s your role and what does it entail?

My role as Manager of Information, Records and Business Improvement is multifaceted. It encompasses various responsibilities for managing organisational information, records, technology and business processes to support efficiency, compliance and effectiveness. As a service provider, my role has a strong focus on customer service, user experience and people management.

What was it like breaking into the IT world, a male dominated industry, and what enticed you to follow that career path?

Post-university studies, I started my career in my chosen field of Multimedia and Information Management, working with education departments to program online learning courses. I've always been interested in the arts and technology, so my career path began as a natural progression. Early in my career, I found myself in many creative roles with graphic designers, animators, programmers, and film production staff, all of which were made up of an even mix of both male and female staff. It wasn't until a few years later when I took on more IT-focused roles, that I noticed that there were fewer women in the industry. At times, this presented unique challenges, but it also offered opportunities for growth and innovation. Building confidence and advocating for yourself have been essential skills for navigating these challenges. In the past, I have experienced gender pay gaps and disparities and challenges juggling children and work commitments. I feel that the sector has grown substantially over the years and that the workplace has become more flexible and inclusive by recognising the challenges faced by women within the workforce.

What is one of your proudest career moments?

Being asked to speak at a major conference in Brisbane was a highlight of my career. However, watching the careers of those I have worked with grow has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. This reinforces the value and importance of mentorship and highlights the impact it can have on individual growth and development.

Who or what has inspired you in your career?

I've been very fortunate to have some outstanding female leaders throughout my career who have always inspired me. They've not only demonstrated what's possible for women in the workplace but have also provided valuable guidance, mentorship and support as I've navigated my own career journey. By fostering a supportive network and community of women in the workplace, you can help empower the next generation of female leaders and contribute to creating more inclusive and equitable workplaces.

What piece of advice would you give to someone starting out in your role?

My advice for someone starting in my role would be to cultivate confidence in your abilities and advocate for yourself and your ideas. Be bold, speak up, contribute your perspectives and assert your value in team or professional discussions. Proactively seek career advancement opportunities, whether by taking on challenging projects or exploring lateral moves that broaden your skills and experiences. Most importantly, you should be a kind and empathetic leader and invest in the culture and people surrounding you.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work I have a creative family life and enjoy being a mother of two children. My spare time is spent wood-turning, leather working, managing a band and producing a collaborative arts performance.

Emma Rennie
Manager Information, Records and Business Improvement
Town of Gawler

EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST IN THE MENTOR MENTEE
CONNECTION PILOT

The LG Professionals SA Women’s Network Committee are excited to be developing a Mentor/Mentee Connection Pilot opportunity for Women’s Network Members, to be launched soon. If you are a female leader in South Australian local government and have capacity to mentor, we would love to have you! Likewise, if you would like a mentor, we encourage you to put your name forward.

Recognising the value of mentor and mentee connections could provide across our various Networks, pilot outcomes will be reviewed to determine future broader Network offerings.  

Expressions of interest for the first intake are closing soon.

REFLECTIONS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY BREAKFAST

On Friday, 8 March, six of our Women's Network Committee members attended the International Women's Day breakfast at the Adelaide Convention Centre. This year's theme was "Count Her In. Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress."

It was such a special, inspiring day where women from across the nation came together to support one another. To be in a room with over 3,000 people there for the same incredible reason is something we hope that everyone has the opportunity to be a part of.

Starting the day surrounded by women uplifting one another offered an excellent opportunity to connect and celebrate each other's journeys.

Engaging with the inspiring narratives shared by the speakers highlighted the paths we've travelled and the battles fought on our behalf by our predecessors and prompted reflection on our current standing and the distance we've covered. This reflection serves as a pivotal gauge for identifying the gaps that persist, motivating us to strive relentlessly to ensure every woman worldwide is acknowledged and amplified.

Ways that leaders can support women:

• Circle back to women who haven’t had their voice heard or who have been spoken over
• Be a role model – Say yes to opportunities
• Amplify the work of women
• Recognise the influence you have

LG Professionals SA Women's Network Committee Members at the International Women's Day Breakfast

SA GOVERNMENT OFFICE FOR WOMEN

Have you visited the SA Government Office for Women website? The Office for Women is dedicated to ‘achieving gender equity and positive change for women in South Australia’. They work collaboratively across community groups, and with organisations in the public and private sector, and help inform policy to improve the safety, wellbeing and economic security of women.

On their website, you’ll find resources on the SA women's equality blueprint, resources for Aboriginal women, as well as resources on issues affecting women’s economic status and your entitlements, leadership and participation, and women in STEM to name a few.

If you or another woman in your life have ever needed help or resources and weren’t sure where to find support, or if you know of a woman in a vulnerable situation who isn’t sure where to turn to for help, Office for Women also have resources available on a range of topics through their Women’s Information Service including:

• Family counselling
• Domestic violence and abuse
• Connecting to culture
• Finance
• Health and safety
• Rural women’s phone link up
• Tax help
• Family court support

Feel free to share this resource with women in your life, or check it out for yourself:

WORKFORCE AND GENDER EQUALITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT

In the January and February Leaders Connect Newsletters we introduced the Workforce and Gender Equality in Local Government Project. This is a twelve-month project funded by the LGA Research and Development fund which aims to identify and address key gender equality issues for local government in South Australia.

To provide support to the Project Lead Leeanne McEwan, we are seeking Expressions of Interest from members who would like to be part of a stakeholder group.

The role of the stakeholder group includes:

• Provide expertise, insights, feedback, perspective
• Provide advice on engagement, evaluation and promotion
• Promote the project with Councils and key stakeholders

Ideally the stakeholder group will have a mix of genders and people from metro and regional councils. Meetings are planned to be held in April, June, August, October 2024 and can be held face to face or virtually.

FULFILLMENT FINDER QUIZ

Do you know what your workplace persona is? Do you know what you’re subconsciously motivated by and what untapped special skills you might hold? The Female Lead developed a Fulfilment Finder quiz which highlights your values and gives you a summary of your strengths. You may or may not be surprised by the results! You can then access tailored content based on your persona and see what percentage of other people shared similar results. 

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 Haylie Maynard, Membership and Networks Officer at haylie@lgprofessionalssa.org.au. 

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. 

LG Professionals SA  I 148 Frome Street, Adelaide SA 5000  I  Phone: 08 8224 2080
www.lgprofessionalssa.org.au

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