The NSW Division of the Institute of Municipal Management (IMM) staged its Annual Conference in Sydney from 27-29 July. Using the theme ‘It’s Our Future … The Way Ahead’, then President, Stuart McPherson said that the program provided delegates with another chance to have their thinking challenged.
Following on from last year’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute of Municipal Engineering Australia NSW Division, during this year’s Conference IMM entered a similar agreement with the Local Government Community Services Association of NSW (LGCSA).
Signed in the presence of the NSW Minister for Local Government. Ernie Page, the MOU indicates mutual recognition and respect for each organisation, and a commitment to work closer together for the benefit of the respective memberships. Stuart McPherson said that, with both MOUs, there is clearly no intention to amalgamate or merge.
“However, there are opportunities to share intellect and resources so that members are presented with the best services available,” he said.
In his address, Ernie Page referred to the current review of the Local Government Act. As required by the Act, this review coincides with the Legislation’s fifth anniversary.
“Unlike the old Act, since 1993 there has not been one successful legal challenge to the Act,” the Minister said. “This review will ensure the intent and integrity of the Act has been maintained, and I cannot see any dramatic changes likely.”
Keynote Speaker at the Conference was Sarah Henderson. After the death of her husband, Sarah was left with a debt ridden cattle station in the Northern Territory, in area, about the size of Sydney.
Rather than cutting her losses and walking off, Sarah and her daughters stayed, and in four years, developed the property into a multi million dollar venture. Guided by a firm, unshakeable vision, Sarah told delegates that luck did play a part as well as sheer hard work.
She said that in finding solutions to problems it is often worthwhile to look at things done in the past that can be moulded into solutions for the future.
Sarah told delegates that all the strength you need to achieve anything is within you. Quoting from a book she wrote about triumphing in the face of impossible odds, which saw her named Number One Australian author in 1993, she said, “Don’t wait for the light at the end of the tunnel, stride down and light the bloody thing yourself.”
