Writing for Influence in Local Government

About the Workshop

Report writing skills are important for anyone wanting a successful career in Local Government. Better decisions can be made more promptly when reports are of a high standard.

There is a clear link between the planning that goes into a Council report and the ease of implementation of the resulting Council resolution. Good reports contribute to higher trust between Councillors, the community and staff.

Writing for Influence in Local Government is a course designed to raise the standard of report writing by helping those who write or authorise council reports and correspondence to:

• develop understanding of context including political awareness; and
• populate documents with information that is relevant and orderly; and
• write reports and correspondence by better understanding elements of informed decision making to enable better decisions and value for our communities.

Upcoming Workshops

Online Delivery: Half day virtual workshop including one case study. Jun 14 Online  Register Here
In-person LGPro Docklands Full day workshop including multiple case studies and full catering. March 21 In person  Register Here
Regional Delivery for Surrounding Councils: All the benefits of the above full day workshop but at a neighbouring council to save on travel. Jun 8  Bendigo Bank Theatre at the Capital  Register Here

Your Facilitators 

Melanie Fleer

Melanie has worked in Victorian local government for over 20 years, including 15 years in leadership roles spanning the areas of communications, governance, legal, marketing, risk, property and customer service. She holds a Bachelors in Public Relations, and Graduate Diploma in Group Facilitation. Melanie has worked at Brimbank City Council Maribyrnong and Darebin councils. Melanie now works as a governance consultant to the government sector.

Julie Reid

Julie has 33 years’ experience working in Local Government, including large Councils in the UK, rural Councils in New South Wales and Victorian Councils, and has recent experience in State Government. This diverse experience has seen her contribute to governance, planning, urban design, sustainability, economic development, building, waste, capital works delivery, community engagement and more. Julie’s recent career highlights include working as Executive Director of Local Government Victoria in the Department of Jobs Precincts and Regions and as the first female CEO at the City of Kingston. Julie also spent 10 years at an executive/director level leading city development and engineering/infrastructure portfolios at Whitehorse and Greater Dandenong City Councils.

She is a qualified Master of Planning and has a Graduate Diploma in Management and Bachelor of Arts (Urban Studies). Julie launched her own consultancy business in June 2022 to continue assisting Local Government into the future

Allison Watt

Allison is a senior Local Government professional with a strong background and experience in strategic communications, governance, council business, corporate planning, risk management, advocacy and other functions over a 25-year career. She is a former journalist, editor, sub-editor and proofreader and after 15 years in suburban newspapers entered local government to work in corporate communications in the late 1990s. Allison has worked for 25 years in the sector, in various senior communications and governance roles at Brimbank, Nillumbik, Moonee Valley and Macedon Ranges Councils.

Allison has a Graduate Diploma in Communication from Victoria University; an International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Certificate and a Certificate in Governance and Risk Management from the Governance Institute of Australia

 

Registrations for 2023 are now open

Course Details

• ONLINE
  Duration: 3 hours
  Time: 9.30am - 12.30pm
  Price*: $357 (inc. GST) for non-members / $250 (incl. GST) for LGPro members

 

• FACE TO FACE

Duration: Full day with catering
Time: 9:30am to 3pm
Price*: $505 (inc. GST) for non-members / $352 (inc. GST) for LGPro members

*Pricing is valid from July 1, 2022 until June 30, 2023. Prices will increase by 2% on 1 July, 2023


Member prices are valid for the following individual LGPro Memberships:  LGPro Fellow, Professional & Young Professional Members

More Information

For further information email [email protected] or phone (03) 9268 6400

Cancellation Policy: LGPro is a member, not for profit association and all money generated is used to develop quality professional development activities and services. Our events and programs are budgeted on a minimum number of attendees so providing us with sufficient notice regarding non-attendance is imperative to the success of all our events. Where a substitute delegate cannot be appointed, the following will apply for any cancellations:

• 7+ business days prior the workshop: full refund and/or transfer available
• 6 business days prior the workshop: no refund available, however substitute participants are welcome.
A substitute delegate is encouraged to attend in place of a cancellation.

All cancellations and substitutes must be received in writing by LGPro.
* Transfers to the next available program intake are subject to any applicable fee increases.

LGPro's full cancellation policy.