President's Welcome

It is a great pleasure to invite you to the 2022 Local Government Professionals WA State Conference, for the first time as President.

The pinnacle of LG Professionals WA's annual professional development calendar, the conference provides an excellent opportunity to reconnect with peers and networks, be exposed to new and big ideas, and celebrate achievements within our sector.

Through challenging times, strong relationships within organisations and across the sector are ever-more important. One of the greatest strengths of the local government sector is the power and prevalence of opportunities to work together, united in our purpose of serving our local communities.

Bringing together LG Professionals WA members, partners, industry stakeholders and expert presenters, the State Conference creates a hub of networking and connection, supporting our belief that together, we can achieve great things.

As we cautiously learn to live with the continuing impacts of the pandemic, the conference also represents an opportunity to reconnect with our own individual and professional purpose. From updates on Local Government Reform, to leadership insights and forward-thinking examples of best industry practice, we can find inspiration in the aspirations and achievements of others, feel reinvigorated in resetting our own course for success, and discover new, meaningful ways to add value to our organisations and the communities we serve.

We know our members and their local governments are being asked 'to do more, with less', and coupled with ongoing recruitment challenges, this continues to impact operations. Knowledge-sharing, realising efficiencies and collaborating on shared objectives are powerful approaches to help meet these challenges, and I have every confidence the conference program will empower attendees with a range of strategies to improve service delivery for their communities.

A highlight of the State Conference is the presentation of the prestigious and highly competitive LG Professionals WA Honour Awards, acknowledging Local Government officers who demonstrate excellence and a high level of achievement in Local Government. Celebrating our wins - big and small - embeds the values we strive to uphold and recognises the outstanding professionalism in our sector. From emerging leaders through to lifetime achievements of meritorious service, we all have an important and significant opportunity to contribute to the stewardship and sustainability of our sector.

On behalf of the Board, I thank the Conference Committee, chaired by Matt MacPherson, for curating a program of great vision and inspiration. I look forward to connecting and reconnecting with many LG Professionals WA members at this outstanding event.

Annie Riordan, MLGP State President