A word from the CEO
What an honour and privilege it is to be able to support professionals on their leadership journeys. There is so much to celebrate in local government and I was thrilled to be able to recognise dedication, hard work, collaboration and innovation with more than 520 of you on Friday 10 May at our 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. This event is one of the highlights of my year – where we take the time to celebrate the amazing professionals that make up the South Australian local government sector and the incredible impact that they have on communities across the state.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists, including the 2024 Outstanding Contribution to the Sector recipient Donna Dunbar, who was recognised for her dedication, leadership and enduring commitment to public service and community enrichment and lasting mark on the South Australian local government sector.
Thank you to our sponsors for your recognition and ongoing support. Read on for the full list of winners.
We look forward to travelling to Brisbane with Le’Gully’ Blonde from City of Tea Tree Gully for the Australasian Management Challenge Final in August where they will compete against the winners from across Australia and New Zealand in the hopes of claiming the top 2024 Challenge prize.
On 30 May we will celebrate the commencement of the 2024 Emerging Leaders Program and welcome the 19th cohort of Emerging Leaders. The program sold out in record time - with 28 registered from a mix of regional and metro councils and subsidiaries from across the state. Thank you so much to the sector for your support of this program, and your investment in our future leaders.
As we plan our 2024/2025 professional development calendar, should you have any unmet training needs please feel encouraged to reach out – we would welcome the opportunity to support the development of your teams.
Happy reading, and best wishes in the rush to the end of the financial year.
Best wishes
Rhiannon |
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WORKFORCE AND GENDER EQUALITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROJECT
A big thank you to those Members who have expressed interest
in being on the Workforce and Gender Equality in Local Government Project Stakeholder Group. The
calibre of applicants and willingness to support the work of this project is
appreciated. Meetings for the Stakeholder group are planned to commence
in June.
Please see below for some useful Gender Equality resources,
which you may also like to share with your peers: This project has been supported by the Local Government
Research and Development Scheme administered by the Local Government
Association of SA |
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CHAMPIONS FOR GENDER EQUITY
Thank you so
much to all who applied to join the LG Professionals SA Local
Government Champions for Gender Equity Group. The aim of the working group,
established by
LG Professionals SA as part of its Strategic Plan 2022-2024, is
to demonstrate leadership in making active and sustainable change in the local
government sector to improve Gender Equity.
We are
excited about providing the opportunity to change for our sector and look forward to introducing
you to our inaugural Working Group soon.
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FIELD SERVICES DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP - A WORD FROM THE CHAIR, ROSS WHITFIELD
It was
wonderful to convene the inaugural meeting of the LG Professionals SA Field
Services Development Working Group. The turnout exceeded my expectations, with
a diverse and enthusiastic group of participants coming together, all driven by
a shared passion for advancing opportunities for our field services
professionals. The high energy in the room was noticeable, creating an
atmosphere ripe for productive discussion and innovative thinking.
During the
initial meeting, we edged closer to defining our core purpose: to enhance the
effectiveness and reach of our field services through strategic development and
collaborative efforts. This foundational step ensures that we are all aligned
with LG Professionals SA strategic priorities and moving in the same direction
as we tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.
Overall, the
meeting set a positive tone for our future work, and I am confident that with
such a dedicated and innovative team, we will achieve great things. I am
excited about the journey ahead and look forward to our next steps as we
continue to develop and implement strategies that will benefit our field staff
and the communities they serve. |
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE 23RD ANNUAL LEADERSHIP EXCELLENCE AWARDS GALA DINNER
On Friday,10 May more than 520 local government professionals gathered at the Adelaide Convention Centre to celebrate the achievements of their peers, and of the sector, at the 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner. The largest awards dinner in recent memory was abuzz with anticipation as the crowd mingled and awaited the announcement of the winners of the 14 awards presented on the night. Some highlights of the night included the presentation of Outstanding Contribution to the Sector to Donna Dunbar from City of Charles Sturt, and the announcement of the 2024 Australasian State Management Challenge winner, with City of Tea Tree Gully’s Le'Gully' Blonde taking out the title this year. Congratulations to all the finalists for their exemplary efforts, and to the winners who took home trophies on the night. Photos from the night can be viewed here.
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CONGRATULATIONS FROM OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS |
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The LGFA congratulate all winners, those shortlisted and all the nominated teams and participants of the
LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards. It takes a lot of time and effort to run the awards program and we would like to thank the LG Professionals SA team for their efforts. We look forward to participating again in 2025. |
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Congratulations to the nominees and winners of all categories in the
LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards. This year the awards showcased the creativity, passion and positive impact that professionals in the local government sector have on our communities. For Norman Waterhouse we are proud sponsors of two categories. The Award for Excellence in Emergency Management/Disaster Recovery highlighted how councils stand at the forefront of support structures for communities during emergencies and disasters. We saw firsthand the dedication of councils in reacting swiftly and effectively to crises, developing strategies to mitigate harm, and advocating for legislative changes to bolster response capabilities. The Award for Excellence in Local Economic Development showcased a number of local economic development projects, endeavours that empower, inspire creativity, and foster positivity! It's a privilege for us to be involved in so many of these projects that not only support and nurture local communities but also bring out the best in us as trusted legal partners. |
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Local Government Risk Services would like to congratulate all winners from the LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards. As Emerald Partner, it was great to celebrate the night with more than 500 local government professionals, showcasing the amazing services and programs that the sector delivers each year to our communities. A big congratulations, to the Le’Gully’ Blonde team from the City of Tea Tree Gully for winning the 2024 Australian State Management Challenge. This award program recognises outstanding achievement and innovation in local government and contributes to the advancement and improvement of the sector. Well done to all. |
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Congratulations to all the winners – and everyone who put forward great projects that demonstrate how much is happening across the sector. Local government is the level of government that gets things done, and it great to celebrate projects that deliver for communities, and push boundaries in doing so.
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MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
It's membership
renewal time! We look forward to continuing to support all staff in local
government on their leadership journey in 2024-25 and beyond. Our team will be in
touch soon to provide information to those due for renewal on
the process. If you are the contact person for your organisation please keep an
eye on your emails for more information. As
your membership association, we are so grateful for your ongoing support, and
investment in your teams.
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YOUR NEEDS, YOUR
MEMBERSHIP 2. GROW YOUR NETWORKS
Our Networks help you create lasting connections with peers who share a common idea or experience. Information support, awareness and defining the future of your area starts here.
Learn more about what LG
Professionals SA Membership offers you.
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NEW
MEMBERS
Welcome
to our 59 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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SAVE THE DATE
Please save the date for the following LG Professionals SA events for 2024/2025. If you are planning a local government event, we invite you to contact us to avoid date clashes.
Friday 1 November 2024 - LG Professionals SA Women's Network Conference
Thursday 7 November 2024 - LG Professionals SA Annual General Meeting
Friday 8 November 2024 - LG Professionals SA Economic Development Conference
Friday 21 March 2025 - LG Professionals SA Annual State Conference |
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MEET THE TEAM
Meet Jade Falco
Jade joined the LG Professionals SA team as Training and Development Officer in March 2024, bringing over 12 years of experience in local government to the role. She has enjoyed attending many LG Professionals SA and LGA programs over the years so when a role became available at
LG Professionals SA, she jumped at the opportunity. Jade works closely with Liz to deliver the LGA Training program, including Elected Member and staff legal and regulatory training. Read more... |
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2024 PEOPLE AND CULTURE NETWORK CONFERENCE: CONNECT INFLUENCE GROW
Friday 5 July 2024
Join us for the 2024 LG Professionals SA People and Culture Network Conference as we unpack issues relevant to people and culture professionals in local government today, and equip you with the tools and knowledge to influence across all levels, providing the opportunity to grow your skills and expand your networks, connecting with colleagues from across the state. View the full program here.
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Unveiling the Living in Australia 2024: National Community Views Survey. Join .id(informed decisions) for the Key Insights Webinar
Register today for the Living in Australia 2024: National Community Views Survey - Key Insights Launch on Thursday, 30 May 2024, 12:30pm-1:30pm.
Presented by .id(informed decisions) in support of the Community Views service. The webinar will highlight key findings from .id’s nationally representative, annual Living in Australia Community Views survey, exploring what Australian residents believe makes somewhere a good place to live, how they experience their local area in that regard, and what needs to happen to advance quality of life.
Living in Australia captures views on a range of topics critical to informing government policy, including community safety, health and well-being, climate change and sustainability, as well as views on local area financial circumstances, economics, transport and social infrastructure. The survey also provides national, state, regional, and metropolitan spatial benchmarking data to councils that subscribe to the Community Views & views.id service to help represent residents’ perspectives in decision making.
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ADVANCED PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Wednesday 26 June 2024
Beyond providing you with essential knowledge and skills to plan, manage and execute projects on time and on budget, this program takes a deeper dive into project management theory and looks at both operational and strategic elements of project management.
Suitable for: Staff who have experience with managing projects and wish to extend their knowledge
Facilitated by Lisa Twyford
Lisa is a highly motivated professional with extensive business improvement and project management experience. Her passion for these areas equips her with the expertise to deliver both the Introduction to Project Management and Advanced Project Management short courses. These courses sell out very quickly and feedback received is always excellent. Only 1 places remaining.
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INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT
MANAGEMENT
Thursday 27 June 2024
Learn the
basic principles required for managing successful projects that drive real
results.
Suitable
for: Officers, Coordinators and Team Leaders
Facilitated
by Lisa Twyford
Lisa is a highly motivated professional with extensive business improvement and
project management experience. Her passion for these areas equips her with the
expertise to deliver both the Introduction to Project Management and Advanced
Project Management short courses. These courses sell out very quickly and
feedback received is always excellent.
Only 1 place remaining.
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CUSTOMER SERVICE IN A COMPLIANCE ENVIRONMENT
Wednesday 17 July 2024 This course enables you to identify the dynamics at play where there is tension between needing to meet compliance requirements, meeting strategic objectives and maintaining strong customer relations within the community. You’ll learn the approaches, skills and behaviours that you can use on a daily basis to navigate this situation and be known for providing excellent customer service and improved performance, while meeting required levels of regulation. Suitable for:
Any staff providing internal or external customer service within a compliance/regulatory framework - eg. Customer Service Officers, General Inspectors, Regulatory Officers, Planning and Development Officers, Records Officers, IT Officers, HR Officer, Procurement Officers.
Facilitated by Gary Edwards
As a lawyer, magician, negotiator, comedian and speaker, Gary is an expert in the art and science of influence – the key ability that businesses will need to navigate a future where nothing is quite as it seems. Gary has been a facilitator with LG Professionals SA for many years and delivers numerous short courses, with exceptional feedback from participants.
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Member Profile -
Proudly sponsored by |
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Miranda Hampton
This month we spoke with Miranda Hampton, Senior Community Resilience Officer, Adelaide Hills Council, about her role and recently being awarded the Excellence in Emergency Management / Disaster Recovery Award at the
LG Professionals SA 23rd Annual Leadership Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.
What is your role?
In my role as Senior Community Resilience Officer, I'm privileged to oversee the Community Resilience Team at Adelaide Hills Council. Together we are working with our local community and partnering organisations including the CFS and the Australian Red Cross, to improve local preparedness for future emergencies and recovery processes in the Adelaide Hills. Read more... |
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LG Professionals SA Members are invited to join one of our many Networks.
Networks are groups of professionals who share a common interest or experience. We run a comprehensive range of Network meetings and forums throughout the year, offering staff the opportunity to learn and develop whilst sharing and networking with peers from their own and other councils and subsidiaries, across the state.
Our Networks include:
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If you would like to know more about our Network offerings, or have a
suggestion for a new Network, please contact Melissa Davis-Bishop, Manager -
Professional Networks Engagement at melissa@lgprofessionalssa.org.au. |
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EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - LG PROFESSIONALS SA
EVENTS NETWORK
We
have been approached by a group of Members to re-form an LG Professionals SA
Events Network. We're seeking EOI from local government professionals who are
working or interested in event planning and management, whether you’re a
seasoned pro or just starting out, who are keen to be part of a Network to
share ideas, collaborate on projects, and connect with fellow event
professionals. Should you be interested please submit an EOI via the link below
and we will be in touch should there be sufficient interest in forming a
Network. |
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EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - LG PROFESSIONALS SA
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVEMENT NETWORK COMMITTEE
Be part of a Network Committee that aims to bring councils together to improve service planning, delivery and focus on improvement and performance outcomes.
The Business Performance and Improvement Network Committee meet regularly throughout the year, considering current themes and challenges experienced by those who have an interest or role to play in planning for delivery, reporting on outcomes achieved or improving the way council services are delivered, developing relevant opportunities for outside the box thinking, networking and collaboration for the benefit of the local government sector.
For further information on the Network Committee please click here.
The Business Performance and Improvement Network Committee wish to invite nominations for the following: - Two positions to fill a casual vacancy, concluding 31
November 2024
- Two positions to fill
a casual vacancy, concluding 31 November 2025
Nominations can be made by completing this nomination form and emailing Melissa Davis-Bishop, Manager - Professional Networks Engagement, at Melissa@lgprofessionalssa.org.au by COB Thursday 6 June 2024.
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REFLECTIONS FROM THE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVEMENT NETWORK FORUM: WHAT'S NEXT?
Monday 8 April 2024 |
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Our most recent forum held online Monday 8 April featured guest speakers Stephen Yarwood and Ania Karzek. Their presentations were innovative, future-focused and fascinating, making us think outside the square!
Stephen had fascinating insights into the world of tomorrow, he encouraged us all to consider the reality of change around us. Who would have thought that a horse and cart would turn into the car being driven by a human being and now we are talking about autonomous cars. He also gave insightful examples of what a Strategic Plan should be such as building the future for the community not for the individual.
Ania gave an insightful presentation on how it is incredible to be alive with all this current technology - Ai, 3D, IoT, Big data, Robotics, drones and much more giving us great examples of what these technologies could be used for but also advising to use them responsibly. She asked, “How many times have you accepted terms and conditions without reading them?” More examples of technological uses included supporting aid and welfare, Ai enabled learning, lower costs and reduced waste by using 3D printers for building a house, and drone deliveries. |
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Caroline Stone
LG
Professionals SA
Business Performance and Improvement Network Committee Member
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Women's Network Forum: My Superpower
Thursday 13 June 2024
Join us for the upcoming LG Professionals SA Women's Network Forum: My Superpower. Hear from speakers including Kate Mason, The Personality Coach, Jodie Summer, District Council of Yankalilla, Kath Messner, District Council of Yankalilla, and Amy Schmid, Alexandrina Council who will identify and share their experience in harnessing their superpower in the workplace.
This Forum will be held in person at the Normanville Surf Life Saving Club and via Zoom on Thursday 13 June from 9:45 AM - 1:00 PM.
We're excited to continue to offer regional hubs in the following areas for this Forum:
- Mid North (Hosted at Town of Gawler)
- Upper Spencer Gulf (Hosted at Port Augusta City Council)
- Riverland and Murray Mallee (Hosted at Rural City of Murray Bridge)
- Limestone Coast (Hosted at District Council of Grant)
Please contact Haylie Maynard, Marketing and Communications Officer at haylie@lgprofessionalssa.org.au if you would like to attend one of the regional hubs. |
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CEO Network Forums
SAVE THE DATE
- Thursday 5 September 2024 (joint forum with GM and Directors Network)
- Thursday 7 November 2024
Further information will be released soon |
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General
Managers and Directors Network Forums
SAVE THE DATE
- Wednesday 31 July
2024
- Thursday 5
September 2024 (joint forum with CEO Network)
- Wednesday 15
November 2024
Further information will be
released soon. |
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Business
Performance and Improvement Network Forums
SAVE THE DATE
- Thursday 25 July
2024
- Wednesday 20
October 2024
Further information will be
released soon |
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People
and Culture Network Forums
SAVE THE DATE
- Friday 20 September
2024
- Thursday 21
November 2024
Further information will be
released soon. |
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Women's
Network Forums
SAVE THE DATE
- Wednesday 11
September 2024
Further information will be released soon. |
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Women's
Network Conference
SAVE THE DATE
Further information will be released soon. |
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Community
Managers Network Forums
SAVE THE DATE
- Thursday 8 August
2024
- Wednesday 23
October 2024
Further
information will be released soon. |
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LGITSA STATE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Nominations for the 2024 LGITSA State Achievement Awards are
now open!
The LGITSA State Achievement Awards recognise and reward
achievements by teams and individuals in the Information Technology (IT) and
Information Management (IM) sectors within local governments in South
Australia.
This year, we are celebrating those who have had a real
impact on their organisation and local community. If you have delivered new approaches,
innovations, or solutions, taken risks, improved your internal culture, or just
had a great idea for a project, we encourage you to apply!
To read more about these categories for the LGITSA State
Achievement Awards, including nomination process and eligibility, click here: https://www.lgitsa.com.au/news-events/awards/
Nominations close on Friday 19 July 2024.
To start your application, click here: https://lgprofes.awardsplatform.com |
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LG PROFESSIONALS SA SPONSORSHIP AND CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP
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 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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