On the 29th of April until the 1st of May I attended the Local Government Managers Association Conference in Hobart. The conference was themed the Power to make a difference and the Passion to lead and this was reinforced through the focal points of People, Process and Place, to reflect the foundations of local government.
The conference covered the challenges facing local government including skills shortages, the need for triple bottom line sustainability and pressures such as cost shifting from other layers of government. Case studies were presented to highlight best practice examples and to reinforce the need for passion and leadership within local government.
I have prepared a written report outlining the conference, which I will be tabling with my report.
The passion to lead and the power to make a difference rings true within local government as well as the broader community and this has been seen through a number of examples in the previous month.
On the 7th of May I attended the Maroondah Environment Forum, this forum which attracted over 150 attendees demonstrated the passion our community has for the environment and our council staff, through the Planning and Sustainability Department, must be congratulated for delivering such an excellent forum. A number of broad topics were raised at the forum including, water, energy, biodiversity and transport and it was great to see such a wide section of our community being able to have a say and raise the issues that are important to them. As a council we must lead by example and recognise the importance the community has for our natural environment.
Groups such as the Croydon Conservation Society and the newly formed Maroondah Climate Change Action Group must also be congratulated for their leadership in distributing fliers and posters of the meeting. The environment forum showed the power that can be created through the community and council working together and I trust that this will mark the continuation of further collaboration between us as a council and the community groups and individuals that have a passion for the environment.
Leadership comes in many forms and on the 11th of May I had the pleasure of attending the Youth Volunteer Recognition Function. This event held in the youth space known as EV’s and prepared by the council’s Youth Services Team provides an opportunity to congratulate the many young volunteers that dedicate their time and service to the community. These people are filled with passion and are becoming leaders in creating a better society. I hope that their efforts will serve as inspiration to future volunteers.
There have been many examples of passion and leadership throughout the past month and there are many more examples throughout our community.