Participants of the Local Government Managers Australia, NSW (LGMA NSW) Rural Management Challenge were given a rare opportunity to challenge the Premier of New South Wales, Barry O’ Farrell on Thursday when he dropped in on the first of the four events being held for local government over the next two weeks.
The Rural Management Challenge, a new initiative for LGMA NSW, is a professional development program for emerging leaders in NSW councils.
Based on real life operational scenarios, teams are challenged to consider the opportunities and impacts facing local government today and into the future.
Kent Boyd, General Manager of Parkes Shire Council was excited that Parkes was hosting one of the challenge days.
“The LGMA NSW Rural Management Challenge offers councils a unique opportunity to develop their staff, in an environment that simulates the challenges that face councils on an everyday basis.”
The Premier spent part of his morning visiting with the competing teams and experiencing firsthand the value of the Challenge.
“There is no doubt that leadership matters, so what you are doing is critical to the growth of local government. Investing in our greatest resource, which are our human resources is absolutely critical,” said Mr O’Farrell.
Those who competed in this day of the challenge were council teams from Parkes Shire Council, Bland Shire Council, Blayney Shire Council, Cowra Shire Council, Forbes Shire Council and Tumut Council.
The LGMA NSW Rural Management Challenge is also being held in three further locations around the state in collaboration with Eurobodalla Shire Council, Murray Shire Council and Lismore City Council.
Seventeen teams have entered the Challenge this year and the team with the highest overall score from the 4 Rural Challenges will be sponsored by LGMA NSW to attend the LGMA (National) Australasian Management Challenge.
