The Local Government Personal Assistants Network (LGPAN) is a group of executive and personal assistants who organise an annual one day seminar for Local Government office professionals. This year’s seminar was held on 19 May at the Springvalley Golf Club in Clayton, Victoria and was attended by 48 delegates from 14 Councils.
LPGAN’s main objective is to provide delegates with an informative and professional networking seminar which is value for money. The committee, comprising five metropolitan and one rural Council representative, has achieved this objective through its successful negotiating and organising skills. This was the third seminar organised by the committee.
Keynote speakers included Mara Ulms and Geraldine Wilson from PD Insider Training and Victorian Magistrate, Clive Alsop. Mara Ulms spoke on Culture and Diversity Within an Organisation and Geraldine Wilson spoke on What Leadership Brings, in terms of the executive assistant’s role.
Delegates received an added bonus from Mara and Geraldine as their latest book Flexing Your Muscles – Benchmarking and Best Practice for Office Professionals was included in the seminar registration. Another interesting session was presented by Clive Alsop who spoke on The Menace of the Internet.
In the afternoon, a panel discussion on Expectations of EA/PA’s as Professionals was facilitated by Geraldine Wilson with the panel comprising Steve Gawler, CEO of Frankston City Council, Jennifer Tod, CEO of Glenelg Shire Council, Ray Butler, Director Infrastructure Services at Casey City Council, Clive Alsop, Victorian Magistrate in the Latrobe Valley and Mara Ulms from PD Insider Training.
The LGPAN committee was delighted with the outcomes of the seminar and the evaluation forms indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the speakers and presenters. The opportunity for 48 high level Local Government office professionals to network was another highly rated outcome of the day. The LGPAN committee has already commenced planning for next year’s seminar.
Any enquiries about LGPAN can be directed to Joanne Young on (03) 9705 5257 or email jyoung@casey.vic.gov.au or Andrea Bolte on (03) 5522 2217 or email abolte@glenelg.vic.gov.au.






