At the 2023 WALGA Local Government Convention, eleven graduates of WALGA’s Diploma of Local Government – Elected Member program were recognised.
This qualification is the highest level of qualification that an Elected Member can obtain through WALGA Training and was presented to:
- Cr Ronald Chambers - Shire of Esperance
- Cr Leonie de Haas - Shire of Esperance
- Cr Dawn Jecks - City of Rockingham
- Cr Amber Kearns - City of Mandurah
- Cr Paige McNeil - Shire of Mundaring
- Cr Wendy McWhirter-Brooks - Shire of East Pilbara
- Cr Melissa Northcott - City of Armadale
- Cr Robert Schmidt - City of Rockingham
- Cr Peter Smith - Shire of Quairading
- Cr Sudhir Sudhir - Shire of Menzies
- Cr Georgia Carey – Town of Mosman Park
Each graduate committed time and effort to undertake this learning journey, taken up by the challenges of balancing work, family commitments, and responsibilities as Elected Members, choosing to better themselves for the benefit of their community.
Representing your community on Council requires skills and competence. By undertaking the Diploma, Elected Members convey an investment into becoming a confident and skilled leader.
The Diploma explores a wide range of topics such as financial reports and budgets, dealing with conflict, community leadership and advocacy, strategic decision making, policy development, asset management and understanding land use and local planning schemes.
The program works diligently to empower Elected Members to be effective at Council as they understand how to use different tools.
City of Cockburn Councillor and 2021 Graduate Cr Chontelle Stone recommends the program to all Elected Members.
“For anyone considering completing the Diploma, I highly recommend it,” she said.
“Not only will you gain a greater understanding of your role in Local Government, but also enjoy networking and forming friendships with Elected Members from across WA.”
WALGA Training is proud to continue to support the sector by offering the prestigious Jacqui Dodd Scholarship to four successful recipients to undertake the Diploma. The Scholarship is named in honour of former long-serving WALGA Training Services Manager, Jacqueline Dodd.
Congratulations to our 2023 Scholarship recipients, who were announced at this year’s WALGA Convention:
- Cr Joanne Cicchini, Shire of Mundaring
- Cr Rebecca Coghlan, City of Nedlands
- Cr Darlene Allston, Shire of Exmouth
- Cr Alana Sullivan, Shire of Ashburton
The Diploma will enable Elected Members to increase their competency in order to be a strong leader for their local community and to confidently contribute to informed decision making.
The program will give Elected Members the opportunity to expand their skills and knowledge by developing a deeper understanding of legislative and regulatory requirements and how they apply to the roles and responsibilities of an Elected Member.
The next intake will commence on Monday 20 November, with enrolment registration closing on Friday 10 November.
To see how you can further serve your community, learn how to enrol and for more information, visit Diploma of Local Government - Elected Member.
