latrobe city council
aspiring leader program
OrganisationAL Profile
Latrobe City Council is a key regional local government authority located in the Gippsland region of Victoria. It serves a diverse and dynamic community across major towns including Morwell, Traralgon, Moe/Newborough, and Churchill, as well as numerous smaller communities. As the economic and service hub of the region, Latrobe City Council plays a pivotal role in supporting local industry, energy transition, education, health, and innovation.
The Council is committed to delivering high-quality services, driving sustainable economic growth, and fostering liveable, resilient communities. With a strong focus on collaboration, strategic planning, and community engagement, Latrobe City Council continues to lead transformative initiatives that reflect the evolving needs and aspirations of its residents.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Latrobe City Council engaged the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to design and deliver a tailored Aspiring Leader Program to enable the growth of aspiring leaders across the organisation. Grounded in the Latrobe City Council Leadership Competency Framework, the program was structured to develop the confidence, skills, and mindset needed for team members to take on greater leadership responsibilities in the future.
The program focused on building foundational leadership capabilities, including self-awareness, effective communication, teamwork, feedback, and high-performance conversations. Aspiring leaders were equipped with practical tools, contemporary leadership models, and real-world strategies within a supportive and reflective environment, enabling them to apply their learning to their roles and strengthen their leadership potential.
By encouraging aspiring leaders to broaden their perspective and understand how leadership drives organisational outcomes, the program directly supported Council’s objective of developing a strong internal talent pipeline.
A core focus of the program was fostering a culture of organisational values-driven leadership, where aspiring leaders were encouraged to lead with creativity, accountability, trust and collaboration. Through ongoing practical application, the aspiring leaders developed habits of continuous improvement and self-directed learning, essential qualities for adaptive, future-ready leaders within
Latrobe City Council.
Latrobe City Council Aspiring Leaders
Leadership Program
aspiring leader LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Program Feedback
To date, ALA has delivered two Aspiring Leader Programs.
Quantitative data has been provided by a total of 44 Aspiring Leaders and is presented below.
ALA’s leadership program was
motivational and challenging?
95% strongly Agree
ALA’s approach supported the
needs of the Aspiring Leaders?
93% strongly Agree
The Aspiring Leaders actively
participated in the program?
91% strongly Agree
ALA’s leadership facilitator
was credible and effective?
99% strongly Agree
“it is one of the first courses that i feEL has been wortHwhile…
i have learned a lot”
Max Lietzan
Leisure Facilities
Program outcomes:
To what extent would you recommend the Australian Leadership Academy?
94% STRONGLY AGREE
Leading-Self
Aspiring leaders deepened their self-awareness and aligned more intentionally with organisational values. They reflected on their mindset, behaviour, and energy, recognising the impact these have on team dynamics. A commitment was made to enacting organisational values and using feedback as a catalyst for professional growth.
Leading with Effective Communication
The program strengthened aspiring leaders’ ability to tailor their communication to suit diverse styles and needs. They developed greater skill in active listening, asking open questions, and flexing their approach to connect more meaningfully. Aspiring leaders explored how to communicate with clarity while building trust and promoting mutual understanding.Leading High-Performing Teams
Aspiring leaders explored the foundations of high-performing teams, including, trust, healthy conflict, commitment and accountability. They identified their role in building a positive team culture and fostering collaboration. The distinction between managing tasks and leading people was identified, along with the importance of role modelling consistent, values-aligned behaviours.Leading with High-Performance Conversations
Aspiring leaders developed confidence in adopting a coaching mindset. They identified opportunities to embed coaching into day-to-day conversations and created space for feedback and open dialogue. This approach helped nurture more empowered, engaged, and future-focused mindset.Practical Integration and Ongoing Development
Aspiring leaders actively applied learning through experimentation, reflection, and peer sharing. They began embedding new leadership skills, engaging in more meaningful conversations, and supporting team development through trusted relationships.
“i really enjoyed
the program,
the facilitator was knowleDgeable
and engaging”
Narelle Murdoch
Acting Team Leader, Customer Experience and Libraries
“the importance
of underStanding anthrOpology
for effective
leadership”
Dustin Hodge
Program Manager, Sports Legacy
“very interactive
and tailored
to our experience”
Kate Cumming
Community Engagement Officer
“just thank you,
very engaging
and
interesting”
Sara McAlister
Family Services Officer
“great, interactive, engaging,
best workshop
i have done”
Chelsea Hearn
Customer Focus Agent