What made you want to work in Local
Government?
I started in Local Government as a cadet
Environmental Health Officer in 1995.
The role provided me the opportunity take on further study whilst also
working which is what attracted me to it.
As an 18 year old at the time I definitely didn’t have a full
appreciation of Local Government.
What made you join LG Professionals
Tasmania?
I have been a member of other
associations and appreciate the collaboration and sharing of wisdom that
happens in Local Government. When I
changed roles 5 years ago I thought LG Pro would provide an opportunity to connect
to a broader range of people.
What interests do you have outside of
work?
In summertime I am kept busy by various
roles with the local cricket association (administrator, player, grounds
keeper!) as I have become involved again in the last 10 years when my children
started playing. As part of my local
church I have been involved in the setting up of a school in rural Uganda,
which I have had the opportunity to visit and make friendships and would like
to return when travel restrictions ease.
If you could give your 12-year-old self
1 piece of advice what would it be?
I don’t know maybe buy Apple
stocks! Probably something along the
lines of making the most of the time you have in that moment.
What do you think are some of the
biggest challenges facing the sector at the moment?
The pace of change and being able to
respond or lead the community through change.
Local government being so much more accessible to the community than
other levels of government means communities will turn to local government
first.
Biggest regret outside of work in the
past 10 years?
Something I would do differently as my
children are nearly all grown up would have been to make the most of some of
the smaller moments. At the time work or
other commitments seemed more of a priority. Sometimes when you say next time
there is not a next time.
