In January, close to 40 mayors gathered for a weekend retreat in the Dandenong ranges outside Melbourne to learn the ropes of Local Government. This annual event organised by the Victorian Local Governance Association aims to help mayors elected in November get up to speed before their term begins in earnest.
VLGA Chief Executive, Andrew Rowe, said the aim of the weekend was to give mayors the opportunity to hit the ground running.
“It is a packed weekend that focuses on practical and sensible assistance to mayors,” he said. “The mayoral term is quite short – most have a one year term – and there is so much to do. With an extensive range of speakers from within and outside Local Government, we help mayors get the best out of their Council and provide tips for working with the CEO.”
Among the speakers were Julie Hansen, the outgoing VLGA President, the Victorian Local Government Minister, Candy Broad, and Darebin CEO, Phil Shanahan. On the first day facilitator, Kate Nash, took the group through the issues of leadership, making your mark as a mayor.
The Sunday focused on skills looking at chairing meetings, getting support and planning for the future. Local Government Focus journalist and public relations consultant, Kevin Brianton, introduced mayors to the skills of dealing with the media.
