Current professional development opportunities

Understanding Local Government Finances

Masterclass: This course equips councillors with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of local government finances. Led by local government finance expert Domenic Isola, you'll learn about financial responsibilities, and develop a range of practical skills including having oversight of council budgets, interpretation of financial statements and application of key financial management principles.

By the end of this course, councillors will be better prepared to make informed financial decisions for sustainable council operations that align with community needs and ensure sustainable financial health for their council.

This professional learning opportunity is an absolute must for all councillors as it meets the requirements of mandatory training related to financial management.

MAV Office

Date: Thursday 20 November 2025
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Location: In person. MAV Office, Level 5, 1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne
Cost: $250 excluding GST or Council Credit Points

Click here to register

Leadership in Advancing Gender Equality

Webinar: This online session equips councillors with the knowledge and confidence to lead with purpose whist contributing to a legacy of equity and inclusion for Victoria.

Led by GenderWorks accredited facilitator Kathy Oliver, this session will:

• Guide your understanding, interpretation and application of the Gender Equality Act
• Align your leadership with both legislative obligations and community expectations
• Advocate for systemic change through inclusive decision-making
• Understand your council’s role in cross-sector collaboration for a safer, more equitable Victoria.

You'll leave this webinar with an understanding of the impact the councillor role has in making decisions that promote more gender equitable and inclusive communities.

Online

Date: Thursday 20 November 2025
Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Location: Online. (Teams link to be sent to registered emails)
Cost: Complimentary

Click here to register

Masterclass: Speaking With Impact

Masterclass: This course empowers councillors to become authentic and engaging communicators. Led by seasoned presentation and media trainers, you'll learn how to understand your audience and tailor your messages to resonate with communities, effectively informing key audiences.

With limited places available, this masterclass offers a rare chance to learn in a small, supportive group where every participant gets individual attention. You’ll explore how to prepare compelling speeches that align with strategic plans, using clear structure and impactful openings and closings.

Through storytelling techniques, you’ll learn to weave personal anecdotes and real-life examples into presentations making them memorable, persuasive and relatable. Focus is on the art of authenticity, speaking with sincerity and confidence.

By the end, you'll be equipped to deliver speeches that captivate, connect, and leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Greater Bendigo City Council

Date: Thursday 27 November 2025
Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm (Lunch will be provided)
Location: Galkangu - Bendigo GovHub, 189-229 Lyttleton Terrace, Bendigo
Cost: $800 excluding GST or Council Credit Points

Click here to register

Homelessness: Practical Ideas for How Councillors Can Respond

Workshop: Homelessness is a growing concern for local government across Australia. Growing numbers of people without safe and secure housing options mean that councils, as public space custodians overseeing roads, parks, footpaths and community facilities, are often called to ‘’fix” visible homelessness.

Held in partnership with the City of Ballarat, this in-person workshop is being held alongside the Council to Homeless Person’s state-wide Victorian Homelessness Conference from 27-28 November.

Designed specifically for councillors, this workshop will explore the practical steps local government leaders can take to respond to homelessness while balancing the expectations of residents, businesses and community members.

Delivered by local government and homelessness expert Leanne Mitchell and MAV’s Director of Community and Sector Development, Kath Brackett, this session draws on MAV’s groundbreaking 2025 research into local government’s experiences in responding to homelessness, as well as best practice case studies from Australia and overseas.

• Clear insight into local government’s role in homelessness response
• Real-world examples of council-led action and advocacy
• Practical approaches to improve collaboration, crisis response and community engagement.

Ballarat Town Hall

Date: Friday 28 November 2025
Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Location: In person. Ballarat Town Hall, 225 Sturt Street, Ballarat
Cost: Complimentary

Click here to register