Working for Local Government in regional Victoria has enabled this group of women to climb the career ladder while also attaining that elusive work life balance.
It wasn’t until she moved from Melbourne to Strathbogie Shire that Stacey Hesketh secured a management role.
“I just found the metro area very male focused,” said Stacey Hesketh, Manager Planning at Strathbogie Shire Council.
She now owns one acre of land near Euroa and cannot imagine moving back to the city.
“There’s a real sense of community here and it’s more relaxing,” she said.
For Jacqui Briggs, who has vast experience in management roles, moving from Melbourne to Benalla allowed her to continue her career and balance her parenting responsibilities. As well as the convenience of having school, work and home 10 minutes from each other, Jacqui Briggs finds her role as Benalla Rural City Council’s General Manager Corporate and Community Services satisfying and intellectually challenging.
“In the city you might head a big department in a specialist area, but in the country there’s massive diversity across your portfolio,” Jacqui Briggs said. “It’s a wonderful way to gain insight into the role of a CEO.”
Since moving from Melbourne to Mitchell Shire, Michelle Harris’s position has evolved from Mitchell Leisure Centre Group Manager to the point where she is responsible for all community leisure centres, open spaces, community recreation groups and their facilities. Michelle Harris states there are plenty of opportunities for career progression in growing rural municipalities like Mitchell, noting that hard workers are quickly noticed and greatly appreciated because the organisations are smaller.
Ann Le Lievre, Manager Library and Customer Services at Murrindindi Shire Council, also found it easier to secure a management position in the country. Yet it’s the sense of community in Murrindindi that Ms Le Lievre relishes most.
“Working in the country has given me a real sense of connection and belonging,” Ann Le Lievre said. “And because kids can be given a little extra freedom and responsibility in a country environment, it makes juggling parenthood and work easier.”
On returning to her hometown, Kaylene Conrick, Director Community and Corporate Services at Mansfield Shire Council, rediscovered the community connectedness she recalled from living in a rural town.
“There’s enormous satisfaction in being able to contribute to key decision making processes within your own community,” Kaylene Conrick said.
