Parkes Shire Council

councillors and executive leadership team
leadership masterclass and future planning pROGRAM

OrganisationAL Profile

Parkes Shire Council is a dynamic regional local government located in Central West New South Wales, serving a diverse and growing community. With a strong focus on innovation, economic development, and community wellbeing, the Council plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the region.

The organisation is committed to delivering high-quality services, infrastructure, and initiatives that support both urban and rural communities. Council’s strategic priorities are guided by a long-term vision to build a connected, sustainable, and inclusive region—underpinned by core values of integrity, collaboration, respect, and excellence.

Parkes Shire Council prides itself on fostering a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and civic leadership. Through strong partnerships, community engagement, and forward-thinking governance, the Council continues to position the Parkes Shire as a thriving place to live, work, and invest.

Parkes Shire Council
Councillors and
Executive Leadership Team

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Parkes Shire Council engaged the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to deliver a bespoke Leadership Masterclass and Future Planning Program for Councillors and the Executive Leadership Team. Delivered over two consecutive days, the program was designed to build leadership alignment, strategic clarity, and a unified approach to navigating future challenges and opportunities.

At the heart of ALA’s methodology was its signature agenda-setting process, which enabled Councillors and Executive Leaders to collaboratively identify and prioritise their most significant adaptive challenges. This process encouraged open dialogue, reflection, and shared ownership of the issues that matter most to the Council’s future.

The program explored a number of core leadership themes, including the essence of leadership and what it means to exercise leadership in practice, the importance of connecting with the organisation’s purpose, and strategies for strengthening the effectiveness of the leadership team. Participants also reflected on their collective achievements to date, assessed organisational progress, and engaged in forward-focused planning to align on key priorities.

Through high-impact conversations, interactive learning, and strategic visioning, the program reinforced a strong commitment to values-based leadership and positioned the leadership group to lead with clarity, cohesion, and intent. The program provided a platform for alignment and a renewed sense of momentum for driving positive impact across the organisation and the community it serves.

councillor and executive leadership team
Program Feedback

ALA’s leadership and program was motivational and challenging?

93% strongly Agree

ALA’s program approach supported collective future planning?

95% strongly Agree

ALA’s program supported the teams leadership development?

95% strongly Agree

ALA’s leadership facilitator was credible and effective?

98% strongly Agree

“oustanding facilitator”

Councillor, Bill Jayet

“Really good content,
well facilitated”
Brendan Hays
Director, Planning and Community Services

To what extent would you recommend the Australian Leadership Academy?

97% STRONGLY AGREE

Program outcomes

The Leadership Masterclass provided a platform for thoughtful reflection on the responsibility of effective leadership. Participants discussed the qualities required to lead with integrity, purpose, and impact—both as individuals and as a collective team. Key outcomes included:

A renewed focus on collaboration, empathy, and courage as essential leadership traits
Greater recognition of how to effectively ask, respond, lead, and support others
A deeper commitment to being intentional in the practice of leadership
A willingness to build more personal relationships based on listening and acceptance
A shared aspiration to embody and model strong, values-based leadership

The Future Planning component aligned the team around a shared vision, starting with a clear articulation of ‘why’ they lead and serve. Participants acknowledged and celebrated the Council’s successes to date, while identifying opportunities for continued improvement and long-term impact. Key future-focused outcomes included:

A unifying commitment to collective purpose and community-centred decision-making
Strategic and resourceful thinking to meet current and emerging challenges
A determination to represent the broader community’s needs and aspirations
A focus on informed leadership to guide the development and sustainability of Parkes Shire Council
A forward-looking mindset anchored in optimism, accountability, and service

Together, the Leadership Masterclass and Future Planning Program fostered a more connected, purposeful, and high-performing leadership team—well-positioned to shape the ongoing success for the Parkes Shire community.