August 2020

ANNUAL CONFERENCE  - REGISTRATIONS NOW OPEN

Registrations are now open for the Annual Conference taking place at the Campbell Town Recreation Ground Complex on Thursday 15 October from 9:00 am - 4:15 pm. 

We are excited to announce that George Bailey, former Australian Cricketer will be our keynote speaker this year. 

The theme this year will focus on navigating our way out of COVID-19 and learning to adapt and respond to our changing environment. Please keep an eye on the website to stay up to date with the speaker and event information.

MASTERCLASS SERIES

 

The best organisations and leaders know how to create psychological safety at work.  Get the latest...

  • Evidence-based framework for psych safety, which we’ll bring to life through examples and story sharing
  • Tools and resources to enable you to create psych safety for individuals in your teams
  • Tactics and accountability to help you avoid the pitfalls of workplace health and safety non-compliance  

Proudly supported by LeaderLab, join our Masterclass hosts, and people practitioners, Linda Manaena and Nicole Stafford, as they share their insights and experience in leadership and go back to your teams ready to make an immediate impact!

Dates 
Each Thursday in September 
Commencing Thursday 3 September
4 x 1.5 hours sessions
11:00 am – 12:30 pm (via zoom)

Investment
Members: $125 + GST = $137.50 
Non Members: $195 + GST = $214.50

FIND OUT MORE / REGISTER NOW
 

BRANCH MEETINGS

Cradle Coast Branch
The recently renamed Cradle Coast Branch met virtually on Tuesday 18 August for their AGM and Meeting. Congratulations to Tracey Bradley, Waratah-Wynyard Council for being re-elected as Branch President and to Rose Titcombe for being re-elected as Branch Secretary.

Southern Branch
The Southern Branch AGM and Meeting were held virtually on Thursday 20 August. Congrats to Paul Jackson, City of Hobart for being elected as the new Southern Branch President for 2020/21 and to Laura Eaton, Senior Finance Officer, Kingborough Council who was re-elected as Branch Secretary.

A fond farewell and thanks to Trent Henderson, the previous Southern Branch President, who stepped down to pursue other interests, although he will stay on as a corporate member. All the best Trent in your new endeavour.

Farewell to Heather SalisburyDeputy General Manager and Director City Governance from the City of Hobart. Heather has been a member of LG Professionals Tas for 20 years and we wish her well in her retirement.

Northern Branch
The Northern Branch will meet on Wednesday 16 September, 3:00 pm for their AGM and regular meeting. The Guest Speaker is Mark Baker, CEO, Northern Tasmania Development Corporation.

REGISTER HERE
 

MEMBER PROFILE - REBECCA STEVENSON

This month we have interviewed Rebecca Stevenson, Director Community Services from the Huon Valley Council.

 


What do you do in your role, how long have you been doing it and what made you want to work in local government?

Like many staff working in a rural Council, my role entails many things, with no day ever the same. As the Director of Community Services, we often have a chuckle that the Department I manage is responsible for ‘hatch to dispatch’ and everything in between. What does that mean you may ask? Community Services at the Huon Valley Council includes Children's Services, Medical Services, Recreation Services, Community Development, Communications, Engagement and Media and in case of an emergency, Emergency Management!

I started my journey in local government 15 years ago, looking to reduce my time spent on the commute to Hobart. At the time, I didn't have a grasp on the services and opportunities Local Government offered, I saw an opportunity to reduce the commute and work close to home. I initially commenced in the Corporate Services Department, in the Finance area. Always keen to give anything a go, I have worked across many areas of Council with stints in information management, infrastructure and governance before deciding to settle in Community Services 3 years ago.

Those that know me well know that a well-connected and supported local community is my passion. Working in the community that my family live in enables me to share in my family’s experiences of the opportunities we create and deliver first-hand. This could be listening to their excitement of visiting a new playground, their stories of a day in vacation care, participating in sport at the local oval, attending a community event in the community hall, watching our YouTube channel or maybe even spotting their mother on a live Facebook stream from inside an evacuation centre! Supporting our community that is rich in opportunities for people of all ages, creating a sense of belonging is what I enjoy most about my role. No days is ever the same, with the excitement of being able to work with and support your team and the local community to deliver on dreams and then being able to experience the happiness it brings is why I enjoy local government so much.

What made you join LG Professionals Tasmania?

Local Government Professionals Tasmania is an opportunity for me to connect with other members around the state, who all share similar experiences and understandings of working in local government. Supportive relationships are a key contributor in being successful, I am always interested in hearing about what other Councils are working on and learning from their experiences and LG Pro Tasmania supports this.

What interests do you have outside of work?

Most days I feel like a day outside of work is just as busy as a day in the office. I enjoy taking and watching my family participate in weekend sport, spectating from the side, always helping out with that solid piece of advice even when I don't have any idea how to bowl a cricket ball myself, kick a goal or swim a lap of a pool! You will often find me helping out at school with fundraising or parent help. We try and explore as much as we can, visiting favourite places like playgrounds, bike parks and Cockle Creek. I do enjoy an occasional good night out with friends to unwind over wine and dinner, and in that order!

What is something most people don’t know about you?

Because life can never be too busy, we also own and manage an apple orchard! So, when I am not at work or travelling around with a mum’s hat on, you will find me in the home office trying to keep up with owning a business that grows over 8 different varieties of apples over 20 acres.

If you could give your 12-year-old self 1 piece of advice what would it be?

I am a strong believer in life being one big journey. No path is the wrong path, there can be and should be many angles to that path, and if need be a U-turn or two. A career can be many jobs, it doesn't have to be the doing the same role for your whole life, a career is a journey you choose the destination of.

What do you think are some of the biggest challenges facing the sector at the moment?

How long is a piece of string? Coming out of COVID and maintaining the level of service within the constraints of a budget the community can afford whilst meeting the expectations of the community post COVID. Furthermore, responding to the population growth of our local communities and ensuring that the appropriate infrastructure and services are growing at the required level and the Local Government Act review. And of course, the one we all have – managing community and council expectations!

None of us would work in local government if we weren’t up for the challenge…..

Biggest regret outside of work in the past 10 years?

Not travelling more - given the current global circumstances.

CALL FOR DATA: COUNCILS AND COVID

LG Professionals Australia is researching how women working in local government have been impacted by COVID-19 - you can help.

LG Professionals Australia is working with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet’s Office for Women to learn more about how women working in local government have been impacted by COVID-19. Contribute to this important research to help councils meet these challenges and prepare for recovery coming out of the pandemic.

You and your council will have access to the research findings, you will be making a positive contribution to the local government sector, and you’ll also be in the draw to win one of three $80 gift vouchers as a thank you from our team for supporting this work.

The survey will ask for data specific to your council and workforce, so you will want your HR team or senior executives on hand to assist.

START SURVEY
 

AWARD AND AUSTRALASIAN MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE WINNERS

Our warmest congratulations to our 2020 Tasmanian Regional Award and Australasian Management Challenge winners who will represent Tasmania in the national finals.

Emerging Leader of the Year Award   Sponsored by Tasplan Super
Frank Chen, Manager Infrastructure, Engineering and Design, Glenorchy City Council

Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Award
Glenorchy City Council
Project: The Glenorchy FOGO Project

Innovative Management Initiative Award   Sponsored by JLT Public Sector
Break O’Day Council
Project: The Trails Ambassador Program (TAP)

Community Services Delivery Award
Waratah-Wynyard Council
Project: Communications and Engagement Strategy

Partnerships and Collaboration Award
Break O’Day Council
Project: Trail Safety and Emergency Management Plan

Australasian Management Challenge Regional Winner  
Sponsored by JLT Public Sector
Team GROWing Glenorchy - Glenorchy City Council

Thanks to JLT Public Sector and Tasplan Super for supporting our awards.


LOCAL GOVERNMENT COVID-CAST

 

Join LG Professionals Australia for intimate conversations with local government leaders across the country as they grapple with the challenges of managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

We explore the unique impacts these have had on a diverse range of councils and how they are being overcome in real-time on the limited podcast series, the Local Government COVID-Cast.

Listen back to the evolving real-time conversations over 10 episodes.

Join LG Professionals Australia for intimate conversations with local government leaders across the country as they grapple with the challenges of managing the COVID-19 pandemic.

We explore the unique impacts these have had on a diverse range of councils and how they are being overcome in real-time on the limited podcast series, the Local Government COVID-Cast.

Listen back to the evolving real-time conversations over 10 episodes.

LISTEN NOW
 

B4 EARLY YEARS COALITION

Getting it right in the early years means getting it right for life

The B4 Early years Coalition (B4) continues to connect, support, engage and encourage individuals and organisations to work together to ensure all Tasmanian children in the early years get a great start.

B4 continues to add to its great range of tools and resources to assist everyone support and take action in the early years, and can be accessed at, B4 Resources.

There’s lots of ways LGA’s can get involved and build on the great work already happening in the early years.

Get ready to apply for a Grant, the B4 Community Early Years Grants have been on hold since the end of March due to the impacts of COVID 19. B4 is working to secure a new date to reopen the grants, watch the B4 website for updates for when the grants reopen for applications.

If you would like any more information on B4 contact the B4 Support Team on (03) 6165 5666 or email b4@eucation.tas.gov.au. Get involved and play your part for the early years.

 

LG REVIEW NEWS

The August edition of Tasmania's Local Government Legislation Review Newsletter – LG Review News is available to read or download below and further details of the revised time frames are available on the Review's website here

AUGUST EDITION

Kind regards

Mary Frost

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