Enhancing workplace culture with WALGA’S 2024 People & Culture Seminar

On Friday, 19 July WALGA hosted its annual People & Culture Seminar with the theme ‘Enhancing workplace culture in times of change.’     
 
The Seminar welcomed participants from across the State, including the Kimberley, Pilbara, Alice Springs, Kalgoorlie, Esperance, Albany and everywhere in between! 
 
WALGA was proud to utilise its extensive networks and relationships, combined with our credibility to curate a Local Government specific program for the day. 
 
The day was opened by WALGA CEO Nick Sloan and Minister for Local Government Hon Hannah Beazley MLA, and provided an opportunity for attendees to hear from a range of industry experts in the Employee Relations space. 

_{Pictured: WALGA CEO Nick Sloan and Local Government Minister Hon Hannah Beazley MLA}
 
Sessions included a keynote address from Dr Paula Smith from the Global Institute of Training and Presenting and how workplace culture can give you an edge with Margit Mansfield from Keogh Consulting. 

Renae Harding from Jackson McDonald Lawyers also an presented insightful talk on complying with the Positive Duty Legislation to prevent sexual harassment and sex-based harassment.
 
Philippa Lonie from the Seminar’s Sundowner sponsor Green Shoots Consulting presented on applying trauma forced principles in investigations and care for People & Culture professionals.  

_{Pictured: Philippa Lonie from Seminar sponsor Green Shoots Consulting}  

Sarah Collins from Living Proud presented on creating a diverse and inclusive workplace for LGBTIQ+ employees, and Town of Port Hedland Executive Manager of Human Resources Cherry McNicol highlighted a Local Government engagement success story. With over 20 years of international human resources experience, leading HR and recruitment teams for well-respected global organisations, Cherry shared her work on the Town’s engagement journey. 
 
The penultimate session for the day was a Local Government panel discussing building human capacity through Local Government Traineeships. Facilitated by MC Blake Wiliams, Mark Furr from the Shire of Narrogin and Kathy Hoare from the Department of Training and Workforce Development highlighted the positive effects of Traineeships in Local Governments and equipping staff to start their learning journey. 

_{Pictured: Local Government Panel 'Building human capacity through Local Government Traineeships'}

The day concluded with a WALGA Sector update and attendee sundowner. The Seminar provided an opportunity for Local Government staff from across Western Australia to network and connect with their peers and industry experts, in addition to meeting and engaging with WALGA staff who were able to share their advice and expertise in the Employee Relations, Training, and Procurement space. 
 
Thank you to everyone who contributed to making the event a success.

For more information about WALGA’s Employee Relations Services, click here.