S U PPO R T I NG THE PROFESSI ON A LS S H A P I N G Q UE E N S L A N D CO M MUN IT IE S
journal
J U N E 2 0 2 3
THE
LGMA: THE HOME OF QUEENSLAND LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICERS
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for and support Queensland local
government managers: providing
relevant and quality professional
development opportunities; and actively
contributing to the advancement of
local government in Queensland.
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admin@lgmaqld.org.au.
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unless otherwise stated. Furthermore,
the views expressed by contributors are
exclusively those of the contributor and
do not necessarily represent the official
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unless otherwise stated. Permission is
required to reproduce any material from
the journal.
the journal welcomes contributions
from its readers. If you would like to
contribute to an upcoming edition of
the journal, contact the Editor.
CREDITS
EDITOR
Elaine Brown
LGMA Queensland
T 07 3174 5004
E projects@lgmaqld.org.au
DESIGN
Ben Mathieson
BrandGrowth
T 0431 771 059
www.brandgrowth.com.au
Local Government Managers Australia – LGMA Qld LGMA Queensland
2 | the journal
LGMA | 3
4.
From the President’s Desk
5.
LG Annual Conference 2023
6.
A Word from the Minister
8.
CEO Snapshot
11.
2023 Young Manager of the Year
12.
Awards for Excellence 2023
16.
The Power of Mentoring
18.
Women in Local Government
Conference
20. Australasian Management
Challenge 2023
22.
Diversity and Inclusion within
the Workplace
24. Inter-Council Buddying
26. People and Culture people together
28. Combating Change Exhaustion
30. What is the Rural Management
Challenge…and why should you
enter a team in 2023?
32.
Meetings gone Mad
34. A 50-year strategic partnership -
growing stronger everyday
37.
Meet the Member
38. Calendar of Events
39. Movers and Shakers
18
26
Contents
Women in Local
Government
Conference
People and Culture
people together
2023 Young Manager Of The Year
Madison Marshall
11
PRESIDENT’S
DESK
WELCOME TO THIS EDITION OF THE
JOURNAL WHERE I EXTEND MY
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS,
AND ALL PARTICIPANTS, OF THE 2023
LOCAL GOVERNMENT MANAGERS
AUSTRALIA (QUEENSLAND) AWARDS
FOR EXCELLENCE.
As most of you who have seen them
before or taken part know, these
awards recognise and celebrate a
wide variety of achievements by
Queensland local government, and
also facilitate the sharing of ideas and
successes.
Achievement and ideas like these
are often the result of a ‘Remarkable
Alliance’ which is a term a previous
CEO of mine (Jude Munro – Brisbane
City Council) used many years ago
which has stuck with me ever since.
These alliances are the result of
improbable connections, being made
deliberately, which often result in new
ideas, increased effort and greater
collaboration across boundaries
previously seen as uncommon or even
incompatible.
The Awards programme, which is
available to download if you haven’t
already, demonstrates outstanding
leadership, collaboration, innovations
and dedication to public service. The
many and varied achievements serve
as a testament to the remarkable
work being done across our local
government sector. I encourage you
to look at the awards and all nominees
to see what your organisation may
glean from them.
I’d also like to briefly report back
on the work I mentioned in January
regarding some of the work
completed regarding the association’s
purpose, branding and membership
priorities.
Our CEO, Peta Irvine reported in
April the results of the Member
Survey which specifically looked
at our purpose, reasons for staying
a member and awareness of our
services.
Whilst not recounting the results
here, the message conveyed the
importance members place on
the connections, networking and
professional development that LGMA
offers which was pleasing to see. It
was certainly seen as supportive of
the sector. There wasn’t support for a
name change.
THE AWARDS PROGRAMME,
WHICH IS AVAILABLE
TO DOWNLOAD IF YOU
HAVEN’T ALREADY,
DEMONSTRATES
OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP,
COLLABORATION,
INNOVATIONS AND
DEDICATION TO PUBLIC
SERVICE. THE MANY AND
VARIED ACHIEVEMENTS
SERVE AS A TESTAMENT
TO THE REMARKABLE
WORK BEING DONE
ACROSS OUR LOCAL
GOVERNMENT SECTOR. I
ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK
AT THE AWARDS AND ALL
NOMINEES TO SEE WHAT
YOUR ORGANISATION MAY
GLEAN FROM THEM.
FROM THE
Our areas for improvement,
however, include doing even more
in communicating who we are and
what we do, to build on a solid
base. We accept there is more to
be done regionally, however, there
is a long list of cancelled events
where registrations were in the single
digits. So, if you have ideas or the
‘magic formula’ to get more regional
programmes up and running, please
let us know.
The Board will take one area of
feedback to the membership this
year on eligibility for joining. I have
a personal view that the sector relies
heavily on growing its leaders and
managers and that the eligibility
criteria should be expanded to allow
this to occur in a managed way. This
sentiment was largely supported
but wasn’t unanimous and the draft
wording will be circulated to members
once prepared.
Thank you to everyone who took the
time to complete the survey and I
look forward to seeing as many of you
as I can at our Annual Conference in
Caloundra at the end of August.
PRESIDENT
Andrew Chesterman
MLGMA
4 | the journal
NOTE:
A link to the awards booklet
can be found here:
LGMA 2023_Awards Magazine.pdf
(lgmaqld.org.au)
LG ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2023
Registration: Early Bird - on or before 30 June 2023 / Standard from 1-30 July / Late from 31 July
Council Officer Registration $1350 Early Bird / $1580 Standard / $1830 Late
Full details on the conference brochure available here.
Woohoo - we are off to the Sunshine Coast!
Save the dates:
Tuesday 29 - Thursday 31 August 2023!
Destination: Caloundra!
Venue: The Events Centre Caloundra:
20 Minchinton Street, Caloundra QLD 4551
SCHEDULE:
Tuesday 29 August 2023
3.30pm – 4.30pm Registration
4.30pm – 6.30pm President’s Welcome Reception
Evening at Leisure
Wednesday 30 August 2023
8.45am Welcome
9.00am – 3.00pm Conference Sessions
3.00pm LGMA AGM
4.00pm – 5.30pm Beach vs. Bush Challenge
Evening at Leisure
Thursday 31 August 2023
8.30am – 3.00pm Conference Sessions
6.30pm – 10.30pm Gala Dinner
THE MINISTER
THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT
IS COMMITTED TO WORKING
WITH OUR REGIONAL COUNCILS
TO SUPPORT SAFE, LIVEABLE
AND PROSPEROUS LOCAL
COMMUNITIES.
While all 77 Queensland councils play
an important role in supporting their
local communities, no two councils
are the same.
Each faces a unique set of financial,
service delivery and community
need circumstances. That’s why
we’ve developed the Sustainability
Framework for Queensland Local
Governments, a new approach to
monitoring sustainability which
considers council finances, asset
management, governance, compliance
and the environment within which
councils operate.
It will ensure the Queensland
Government and councils are best
placed to understand and respond to
the sustainability challenges facing
councils.
We look forward to continuing to
work with you in the best interests of
all Queenslanders.
Steven Miles MP
Deputy Premier and Minister for
State Development, Infrastructure,
Local Government and Planning
and Minister Assisting the Premier
on Olympic and Paralympic Games
Infrastructure
The new Local Government
Sustainability Framework
will proactively monitor and
respond to sustainability
challenges.
So, what does the new Sustainability
Framework mean for Queensland
councils?
There is currently no overarching local
government sustainability framework,
and the diversity of the sector means
that no single solution or approach
will address this issue.
The new framework reflects the
diverse nature of Queensland
councils and considers key factors
such as finances, asset management,
compliance, governance and a
council’s operating environment.
Implementation of the new framework
will provide councils, the state and
other stakeholders with greater
insight into the sector’s challenges
and support the development of more
tailored solutions for councils.
When does the new Framework
begin?
The framework formally commences
from 1 July 2023, when the new
Financial Management (Sustainability)
Guideline 2023 will come into effect.
The statutory guideline sets the
financial ratios that councils will need
to report on as part of their annual
statutory financial reporting process.
In addition to the statutory guideline,
an overarching non-statutory
framework has been developed, which
sets out the department’s approach
to considering sustainability more
holistically, including governance and
compliance matters.
DEPUTY PREMIER AND MINISTER FOR STATE DEVELOPMENT,
INFRASTRUCTURE, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PLANNING
AND MINISTER ASSISTING THE PREMIER ON OLYMPIC
AND PARALYMPIC GAMES INFRASTRUCTURE
Steven Miles MP
A WORD FROM
There will be no public reporting
on the non-financial elements of
framework, including governance and
compliance. This is business as usual
for councils.
However, considering these
elements as part of a more holistic
sustainability framework will help
us better understand, contextualise
and respond to council financial
performance challenges.
With the framework formally kicking-
off on 1 July, the 2023/24 financial
year will be a year focused on
implementation and working with
councils to be ready to consider
outcomes of reporting on the new
ratios once council’s 2023/24 financial
statements are complete.
How will the State Government
continue to support Queensland
councils?
The framework will enable the
department to take a more holistic
and proactive approach to monitoring
sustainability challenges faced by
Queensland councils.
It will also help us to develop targeted
capacity and capability training
programs as well as ensure State
Government funding programs meet
current and future needs.
You can find out more by visiting
statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/
lgsustainability
6 | the journal
LGMA | 7
Providing local councils with a sustainability
framework that will help them deliver liveable
communities where you will want to live, work and play.
statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/lgsustainability
Finances
Asset
management
Governance
Compliance
Operating
environment
The sustainability framework is
the department’s new approach to
working with Queensland councils to
address sustainability challenges.
Local government
sustainability
framework
LGMA | 9
I WRITE THIS UPDATE AS I PREPARE
TO GO ON LEAVE FOR 2 WEEKS – A
MUCH-ANTICIPATED HOLIDAY WITH
MY CANBERRA-BASED MOTHER
ON WEST AUSTRALIA’S BEAUTIFUL
KIMBERLEY COAST.
Coming off the back of the work
LGMA has done this year on
psychological safety, where not
taking regular leave was noted as a
key hazard to wellbeing, it is a timely
reminder to me of the importance of
regular breaks. As I struggle to put
in place all I feel I need to in order to
cover the period, I remind myself that,
although it may feel like more trouble
than it is worth, the gains in terms
of productivity and perspective are
significant and it is absolutely worth
the effort. (Plus, I will have a fab
holiday, to boot).
A third of the way through the year
and much has been accomplished by
the hard-working LGMA team with
much more prepped and ready to roll
out over the coming months.
The Women in Local Government
Conference was the biggest and most
successful ever. Such that our plans
to hold the event in alternate years
has been shelved and it will return in
2024.
The Mentoring programme we kicked
off in 2022 concluded and again,
feedback was such that we will run
another commencing soon.
We continue to offer webinars and
forums across many topics and
disciplines, and these have been well
received across the board. Clearly
the topics selected are hitting the
mark and we have a long list of others
to come based on the feedback
we have received. A People and
Culture Forum was held in Brisbane
in March (after an aborted attempt
late last year in Toowoomba)
with strong participation and the
conversation highly useful for all who
attended. Similarly, the Psychosocial
Risk webinar was oversubscribed
within 24 hours of opening to
registrations (over 200 registered)
and the Whistleblowing, Grants, IP
(Intellectual Property) Legislation,
Human Rights Act and Reconciliation
Action Plans webinars all hit the mark.
Indigenous councils CEOs met in
March with discussion including ABS
census data and health projects,
fraud (including cyber fraud relating
to payroll), councillor remuneration
policies, workers compensation
programmes and the 2024 election
preparation. The CEO Forum later
that month considered psychosocial
wellbeing in our workplaces, the
housing crisis, integrated planning
and the 2024 election, to name just a
few of the topics discussed.
The Awards for Excellence were
incredible as always, showcasing
the diverse work that Queensland
local government officers manage to
incorporate into their busy schedules.
Clearly, continuing to do the same
thing over is not the way of our sector
and there is a relentless striving to do
better and different to meet ever-
changing needs of our communities.
The Propeller and Ignite programmes
both continue to go from strength
to strength and we have had to
bring on additional training capacity
to cater for in-council programme
demand. In addition to Fiona
Cullen, Lisa Hamilton and myself
(on occasion), David Stanley has
returned in a regular capacity and
is traveling around the state doing
both management and leadership
training and code of conduct work.
Tracey Stinson, who will be known
to many of you, a local government
tragic of both Queensland and New
South Wales experience and one of
our early facilitators of the Ignite
Peta Irvine
MLGMA
SNAPSHOT
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
CEO
8 | the journal
Programme, is also coming on board
to assist with regular delivery. Both
are great additions to the team. They
also boost our coaching capacity.
We have also added a few new oral
histories to our collection. These
are interviews with long-term local
government officers and explore their
experiences in the sector. Every time
I listen to a new one, I am reminded
that although there is rapid change, so
much seems to stay the same. Jump
on to the website to see the latest
interviews.
After many years of avoiding
the dreaded survey (dreaded by
respondents, not by us), we bit the
bullet this year and asked members
and friends what you thought of
LGMA, its name, its services and
more. Response rates were solid and
there was a high level of consistency.
Members received an email outlining
the findings in detail but the short
version is, you are generally very
happy with all that we do, you wish
we could do a bit more of everything
(more village groups, more delivery in
regional areas), I don’t tell you enough
about our advocacy work (which I
will fix), our programmes are of high
quality and well-tailored to the sector,
you trust our not-for-profit ethos
and you enjoy the connection that
membership/affiliation provides.
On the organisation name, there was
not a groundswell for change – on
first impressions, most felt it was
fine, when pushed, there was an
acknowledgment that maybe the ‘M’
for Manager was not helpful but not
many felt strongly about this. Given
the cost of implementing a full brand
change, and based on the feedback,
there are better ways we could be
spending our money at this time.
However, there was strong preference
to change membership eligibility to be
more open to any local government
officers and this proposal will be put
to members for a decision.
In upcoming events, the programme
for the 2023 Local Government
Conference, Wellbeing, has now
been released and registrations
are open. In lovely Caloundra and
supported by Sunshine Coast Council,
this is one not to be missed. Rural
Management Challenges will roll-out
across October and November, the
Executive Management Programme is
earlier than usual, in July, while more
webinars and exchanges will abound.
Looking towards the 2024 election,
we will host our traditional
onboarding workshops late in the
year. These are designed to help
councils plan for a new elected
member group and share tips and
tools for how to bring your Councillors
up to speed quickly and effectively.
This is about the how of embedding
information rather than a list of the
what. Well worth attending if you
are involved in inducting new and
returning councillors.
So, as I pause for a quick breather,
I look forward to coming back
refreshed and ready to tackle the full
programme laid out for the rest of
2023. And, as always, I hope that I
see you somewhere along the way.
THE WOMEN IN LOCAL
GOVERNMENT CONFERENCE
WAS THE BIGGEST AND
MOST SUCCESSFUL EVER.
SUCH THAT OUR PLANS
TO HOLD THE EVENT IN
ALTERNATE YEARS HAS
BEEN SHELVED AND IT WILL
RETURN IN 2024.
THE PROPELLER AND
IGNITE PROGRAMMES BOTH
CONTINUE TO GO FROM
STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
AND WE HAVE HAD TO
BRING ON ADDITIONAL
TRAINING CAPACITY TO
CATER FOR IN-COUNCIL
PROGRAMME DEMAND.
IN UPCOMING EVENTS, THE
PROGRAMME FOR THE
2023 LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CONFERENCE, WELLBEING,
HAS NOW BEEN RELEASED
AND REGISTRATIONS
ARE OPEN. IN LOVELY
CALOUNDRA AND
SUPPORTED BY SUNSHINE
COAST COUNCIL, THIS IS
ONE NOT TO BE MISSED.
I write this update as I
prepare to go on leave
for 2 weeks – a much-
anticipated holiday with my
Canberra-based mother on
West Australia’s beautiful
Kimberley Coast.
LGMA | 11
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plan, save and
grow for a
comfortable
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Manager,
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“We know
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Head of
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Ben Moles
Manager,
Business Development
and Relationships
MADISON MARSHALL FROM
BURKE SHIRE COUNCIL
WAS ANNOUNCED AS THE
2023 YOUNG MANAGER OF
THE YEAR AT THE AWARDS
FOR EXCELLENCE GALA.
In thanking her council,
colleagues and community for
their support, Madison appeared
overwhelmed by the accolade.
Madison has been with Burke
Shire Council since 2011, initially
commencing her local government
journey as a trainee. Her first roles
were in administration functions,
progressing to Executive Assistant
before being promoted to Team
Leader Community Services and
Compliance; her progress due to her
clear commitment and drive. Today,
Madison holds the role of Manager for
Corporate Services and Governance
fulfilling an important role in council
and supporting her community.
Working in a council with a land
mass covering an area that is
forty times larger than Brisbane
City Council and with a somewhat
dispersed population of 550
residents, is challenging at any
time. Madison’s commitment to
community is evident in all parts
of her life. She took the time to
gain Commissioner of Declarations
qualifications which has been
invaluable to Council and community.
Madison has also been an active
member of Burketown SES and
Rural Fire Brigade, becoming a
senior member and Secretary. She
has played a pivotal role on the
Disaster Management Team, including
making substantial improvements
to evacuation plans where her
knowledge and understanding
of the community and its needs
allowed her to add significant
value to the approach adopted.
2023 Young Manager
of the Year
Madison Marshall
Throughout her career, Madison has
continued to be a supportive leader
and a strong advocate for her staff
and their development; ensuring
they achieve relevant qualifications.
Taking a page out of her own book
she has also taken time to gain
tertiary qualifications whist working.
In addition to this she has continued
to take on new roles when the need
arises, ensuring she continues to go
above and beyond those roles and
the needs of her team, excelling at
every stage. Madison has always
displayed an eagerness to learn
and has a knack for questioning
the status quo, this enables her
to critically analyse practices and
identify potential opportunities.
During the most recent flooding event
that took place in the region, the
most significant that the community
had seen, Madison was able to
apply her considerable interpersonal
skills to lead the team and the
community in a highly charged
situation. Her quick thinking despite
the rapid changing environment
is a testament to her previous
achievements, and her eagerness to
always be learning and developing.
Madison continues to excel in
anything she attempts and remains
ethical and professional, displaying
a unique strength of character
belied by her age. This young
manager of the year is also a
genuinely kind and caring person.
As the 2023 Young Manager of the
Year, Madison receives well-deserved
recognition, her name alongside other
talented local government officers
on the perpetual trophy and $1,500
towards professional development.
Madison continues to
excel in anything she
attempts and remains
ethical and professional,
displaying a unique
strength of character
belied by her age.
CONGRATULATIONS, MADISON
LGMA | 13
12 | the journal
Finalists included:
Innovation
Carpentaria Shire Council - AI Flood Detection
Moreton Bay Regional Council -
Ask Morty – Data Concierge
Rockhampton Regional Council –
Landholder Support Program
Sunshine Coast Council –
Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project
Workplace Wellbeing
Ipswich City Council - Inspiring Leaders
Quilpie Shire Council - Workplace Wellbeing
Community Shaping
Balonne Shire Council –
Business Improvement Scheme
Western Downs Regional Council –
Health Services Transaction
City of Logan – Logan Eco Forum
Sustainability
Hinchinbrook Shire Council –
Coconut Reduction Strategy
Isaac Regional Council –
Smart Water Metering Program, Strategic Plan
and Community Engagement
Sunshine Coast Council –
Tuan Reserve Cultural Burn Program
If you would like to find out more about any of the projects nominated, the Awards publication
highlights all award nominations and is available on the LGMA website.
Thank you to LGMA’s corporate partners, this event would not be what it is without your support.
Lastly, a final thank you to the State Library of Queensland, Ab Fab Catering and
Lucas Dias of Snaps by Lucas for your assistance with the Awards for Excellence.
Watch out for the 2024 Awards. Nominations will open in November 2023.
The Awards for Excellence Gala Celebration
was held at the State Library of Queensland on 25 May 2023.
Congratulations to all nominees, finalists and category winners. 72 nominations were submitted by
29 councils across 7 categories. As in past years, there was significant diversity in the nature of projects;
their scope, their impact, their application, and their purpose. This diversity highlights the complexity
of Queensland local government and the ever-changing nature of the services the sector provides.
Congratulations to all winners and finalists who were announced at
the Gala by event master of ceremonies, Kay McGrath.
Award for Excellence in Innovation
Fraser Coast Regional Council –
TEMPO – An innovative Recruitment Campaign
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Award for Excellence in Workplace Wellbeing
Redland City Council –
Wellbeing through Adventure
Redland City Council with Jonathan
Mamaril of NB Employment Law.
Award for Excellence in Sustainability
Cairns Regional Council - Cairns
– Australia’s Green Capital
Tim Fynes-Clinton of King and Company
Solicitors accepting the sustainability award
on behalf of Cairns Regional Council.
Award for Excellence in Collaboration
Gladstone Regional Council –
Economic Transition Roadmap
Gladstone Regional Council with Jae Lancaster
of the Department of State Development,
Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
Award for Excellence in Teamwork
City of Logan – Delegations Review
City of Logan with Daniel Maroske of Gadens
Above and Beyond Award
Sunshine Coast Council – Hannah Maloney
Hannah Maloney of Sunshine Coast Council
with Matthew Hogno of Brighter Super
Award for Excellence in Community Shaping
Sunshine Coast Council – Kids in Action Program
Sunshine Coast Council with Debra Howe of
the LGMA Board on behalf of Preston Law.
Collaboration
Moreton Bay Regional Council –
Habitat Logs Project
Tablelands Regional Council –
Mental Health Localised Initiative
Moreton Bay Regional Council –
My Future in Moreton Bay
City of Logan – The Swim Logan Project
Teamwork
Ipswich City Council –
2022 Flood Response and Recovery
Sunshine Coast Council – Buderim Village Park
Whitsunday Regional Council –
Whitsunday Disaster Coordination Centre Team
L O C A L G O V E R N M E N T
LGMA | 15
14 | the journal
LGMA | 17
16 | the journal
The Power
of Mentoring
“It was with some trepidation that
I volunteered for the mentoring
programme. Having been mentored
myself by Local Government Legend,
Chris Rose, I wasn’t sure that I
could replicate that experience for
a protégé. Then I met Matthew,
and the magic of Peta’s matching
skills came into play. In many ways,
we could be considered complete
opposites and it quickly dawned on
me that despite what some of the
textbooks might say, this was to
be a truly reciprocal relationship.
Matthew’s commitment,
professionalism and exceptional
organisational skills made it easy for
me to fill my role. We both did our
homework and diligently followed the
programmes topics……for at least the
first couple of sessions. Discovering
what was important to Matthew, along
with his career history and future
aspirations was a fascinating process.
Reflections on the self-discovery tools
helped us dive a bit deeper on a few
topics and provided useful structure
for early conversations, however,
some of the greatest value came
from the free-flowing conversations.
One of the unexpected benefits of
the programme for me was to be
exposed to an unfiltered perspective
of the experience of a manager
aspiring to an Executive role. Our
conversations allowed me to take
a step back and really think about
how an executive team is viewed by
leaders with ambitions to one day
be part of that group. Bridging
the gap between how potential
successors think they are being
assessed for future opportunities
and what actually gets noticed
was also beneficial to both of us.
We agreed early on to hold one “in
person” session and Matthew was
generously supported by his Council
to travel to Gladstone so we could
realise this opportunity. In addition to
spending time with me, Matthew also
presented the “Fraser Coast Regional
Council Asset Management Story” to
counterparts in my team. Contact has
been maintained following this initial
connection with ongoing advice and
support being provided as we follow
somewhat in the footsteps of FCRC.
I am a strong believer in the value
of sharing our experiences across
the Local Government industry as
we embark on similar journeys.
Not only have I benefited from
the mentoring relationship with
Matthew but so has my Council.
This is one of those “choose your
own adventure” experiences where
you create the value in partnership
with your own Matthew.”
Leisa Dowling MLGMA,
Gladstone Regional Council
Mentoring is a valuable professional
development tool and can assist
in developing self-awareness and
resilience, building networks (both
internally and externally to council),
creating career development
opportunities, engaging with senior
leaders and fostering personal
culture of continuous learning.
In mid-2022, Matthew Keleher,
Manager Assets and Maintenance at
Fraser Coast Regional Council was
partnered with Gladstone Regional
Council CEO, Leisa Dowling in a
mentoring relationship. Here’s what
they had to say about the experience.
“If you are looking for the chance
to develop professionally and grow
personally, I strongly recommend
you consider mentoring. Whether
you are in the early stages of your
career or halfway through, mentoring
can give to you as much as you
are willing to put into it. This was
the first opportunity I had with the
LGMA community and I feel lucky
to have had this opportunity.
The programme offered by LGMA is
split into two key elements, the first
being a series of extremely relevant
workshops and learnings for local
government roles over a six-month
period. The workshops are facilitated
by Peta and the LGMA team which
are to the point, upbeat and when
appropriate quite humorous.
The second element and the part
that I was thoroughly impressed with
was the pairing of the Mentors and
Protégés. Whilst the LGMA team
did a wonderful job at providing
the learning structure, Peta and
the team had an awesome ability
of matching Mentors and Protégés
based on what those individuals were
seeking through their nomination
forms. I was fortunate in being
teamed up with an exceptional and
experienced local government officer
and chief executive when initially
e-troduced to Leisa Dowling.
The mentor I was seeking was
someone with significant and different
experience (to myself) in the LG
industry coupled with strengths in
areas that I reflected upon that I
needed assistance in developing…
and Leisa hit everything that I was
seeking. Whilst that was the initial
focus, Leisa provided from her
expertise a comfortable and confident
environment to explore these areas
but also challenged me with elements
that I had previously not known were
areas for continuous development.
To have such a capable member of
the C-suite dedicate their time to a
mid-level manager from a different
organisation is an extremely humbling
experience and the teachings
have already served me well.
I believe I am extremely fortunate
to have had the support from the
Fraser Coast Regional Council
Executive Leadership Team and direct
managers to be able to embark on an
opportunity like this programme and
learn from exceptional individuals.
So, if you have thought about
investing in your own development
or have staff that could benefit
from the experiences shared in
the LGMA Mentoring Programme,
please reach out to the LGMA team
as it is well and truly worth the
investment in time and money.
Whilst this is just my takeaway from
the programme, I have also had
the opportunity to discuss with
other Protégés of my cohort who
were equally impressed with their
allocated Mentors and the learnings
that they took away from it.”
Matthew Keleher MLGMA,
Fraser Coast Regional Council
LGMA’s 2023 Mentoring
Programme is open
for both mentor and
mentee registration.
Register online by
22 June 2023.
Over 100 local government officers
gathered in Brisbane on 8 and 9
of March to attend the Women in
Local Government Conference.
Themed, Empowered, this event
offered two days of incredible
presentations, networking and
collegiate support for attendees.
The first day included presentations
from Monica Bradley, LGMA’s
Fiona Cullen, Martine Care, of
Preston Law and Derek Percival.
From the importance of pushing
boundaries and getting curious, to
accidental and squiggly careers,
presenters highlighted a number
of common themes that all lead
back to defining what success
means for you. From here, a panel
including LGMA Director Susan
Jarvis, Jae Lancaster of DSDILGP
and Alison Smith of LGAQ focused
on empowered approaches.
Panellists offered their experiences
on the topic, and it was evident
that many in the audience had
either faced, or were facing, some
of the challenges discussed.
Day two sessions included Brett
de Chastel FLGMA, Peta Irvine
MGLMA and Janette Comish
exploring topics from work/
life satisfaction to investing in
yourself and the importance of
habits and building a routine. In
a fascinating session with one
of the mentoring pairs from the
2022 Mentoring Programme,
LGMA member and board director,
Rachel Brophy and her protégé,
LGMA member, Melissa Dower,
demonstrated mentoring in action
with their on-stage discussion.
They highlighted the types of
support protégés can expect to
receive from their mentors and the
benefits of this type of relationship.
The ever-favourite CEO panel
session included LGMA Members
and local government CEOs,
Leisa Dowling, Kiley Hanslow,
Mica Martin and Jodie Taylor.
What a powerhouse! It was clear
that there were some common
themes here including taking
opportunities, getting curious
and the importance of integrity.
Closing out the day was Jeanette
Comish who delegates through
the FISH philosophy “play”,
“be there”, “make their day”
and “choose your attitude”
Overall, it was quite an experience
getting the opportunity to hear
all these amazing individuals
talk about their careers; how
they got to where they are
now and the challenges they
faced. The overriding message
was that clearly, women are
the masters of transition.
Thank you to all delegates who
were able to attend and a special
thank you to LGMA corporate
partners, King and Company
Solicitors, Preston Law, Surepact,
Mead Perry Group, TechnologyOne,
Brighter Super, Gadens, Telstra,
Leading Roles, ALGWA Queensland,
DSDILGP, McArthur and to each of
the presenters.
LGMA | 19
18 | the journal
WOMEN IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT
CONFERENCE
8 - 9 MARCH 2023