Current professional development opportunities

Explore our current professional development opportunities below:

	Masterclass: Leading Communities through Housing Change Masterclass: The Masterclass on ‘Leading Communities Through Housing Change’ is designed to support councillors in navigating the rapid changes in planning reform and housing. It will help councillors adapt to this high-pressure environment, enhance their leadership skills, and maximise their impact as local leaders. MAV Office Must attend both sessions. Date: Thursday 7 August 2025 Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Location: Online. (Teams link to be sent to registered emails) Date: Friday 22 August 2025 Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm Location: In person. MAV Office, Level 5, 1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Cost: Both sessions are complimentary Click here to register Hepburn Shire Council Must attend both sessions. Date: Thursday 21 August 2025 Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Location: Online. (Teams link to be sent to registered emails) Date: Friday 29 August 2025 Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm Location: In person. Council Chambers, Hepburn Shire Council, 24 Vincent Street, Daylesford Vic. Cost: Both sessions are complimentary Click here to register
	Mayors Institute: Disinformation Response for Mayors Mayors Institute Masterclass: Disinformation has been named a top global risk, and its impacts are increasingly felt at the local level. It impacts elections and governance, policymaking and organisational functioning, community cohesion and is increasingly weaponised against individual leaders. Led by disinformation response expert Ika Trijsburg, this in-person masterclass for Mayors and Deputy Mayors will equip you with an overview of what disinformation is, how it’s used, and the main impacts at the local level. You'll be provided with practical tools and guidance to respond at the local level, with specific attention to the roles of the Mayor and Deputy as leader, spokesperson and potential target. Attendees will leave better equipped to navigate disinformation in their duties, and effectively promote information integrity. MAV Office Date: Friday 12 September 2025 Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm (Lunch will be provided) Location: In person. MAV Office, Level 5, 1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Cost: $800 excluding GST or Council Credit Points Click here to register
	Masterclass: Councillors' Role in CEO Performance Masterclass: Strengthen your leadership impact with this essential masterclass on councillors’ critical role in CEO performance. Led by expert facilitator Dr Graeme Emonson PSM, this course will guide you through council’s legal obligations, effective planning, and practical processes for reviewing CEO performance. This course is an absolute must for all councillors as it meets the requirements of mandatory training related to CEO recruitment and performance management. Wodonga City Council Date: Thursday 18 September 2025 Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm (Lunch will be provided) Location: In person. Wodonga Council, 104 Hovell Street, Wodonga, Victoria 3690 Cost: $250 excluding GST or Council Credit Points Click here to register MAV Office Date: Thursday 25 September 2025 Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm (Lunch will be provided) 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 16 October 2025 Time: 5:00pm – 7:00pm Location: Online. (Teams link to be sent to registered emails) Cost: Complimentary Click here to register 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. MAV Office Date: Friday 17 October 2025 Time: 9:30am – 4:30pm (Lunch will be provided) Location: In person. MAV Office, Level 5, 1 Nicholson Street, East Melbourne Cost: $800 excluding GST or Council Credit Points Click here to register 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
	Techniques for Speed Reading Webinar: This online course equips councillors with the foundational techniques of speed reading while enhancing comprehension and retention. The course is designed to assist in doubling your reading speed without compromising understanding, and introduces practical strategies for effectively absorbing and organising information. Through interactive exercises, you’ll learn how to sharpen your memory and use mind mapping to structure and store knowledge. These core skills can be applied across a wide range of documents, making your reading practices more effective and purposeful in your councillor role. You'll leave this course with a range of skills to confidently manage large volumes of reading material with greater speed and accuracy. Online Date: Friday 7 November 2025 Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm Location: Online. (Teams link to be sent to registered emails) Cost: $350 excluding GST or Council Credit Points Click here to register
	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