Leadership program

Locale Leaders accelerator program

Our signature group coaching program for councillors - designed to empower you to succeed in your term of civic office

  • Format

    Six live online sessions & self-paced content

  • Duration

    Six month program: starts June, ends November 

  • Faciltiators

    Three expert facilitators

  • Commitment 

    1-2 hours / week
    Locale Learning - Candidate information session

    Ready to level up your impact?

    Your leadership is unique. Your past experiences, both personal and professional, have shaped the skills and knowledge that your community has recognised in you. In this program, you’ll be supported in growing the skills, tools, and knowledge you need to maximise your impact as a councillor.

    This leadership program is perfect for both new and returning councillors seeking a low-stakes, high-impact learning experience. It’s designed for those who want to share the learning journey with others facing similar challenges.

    Through a structured and supportive process, you’ll accelerate your growth, finishing with a valuable set of practical skills, tools, and knowledge to elevate your impact as a civic leader.

    Key features

    Beyond the status quo

    A fresh learning experience for councillors that focuses on what you actually need to know

    Practical & actionable

    Gain real-world tools and reflective practices to apply immediately and embed into your leadership


    Small group, big impact

    Limited spots ensure a focused and high-impact learning experience

    Expert guidance

    Guided by three skilled professionals with diverse expertise, who are dedicated to your success

    Shared learning

    Connect with councillors from other local government areas who share similar challenges and aspirations

    Feel supported

    Holistic support behind the scenes, empowering you to lead with competence and confidence

    Program overview

    The accelerator program is structured over six months, allowing ample time for deep integration of the content each month.

    Delivered in a hybrid learning format, the program combines self-paced content with interactive small group sessions, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning experience.

    Starting in June 2025, the program includes six live group coaching sessions, held every four weeks on Sundays from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm.

    Each session is supported by a comprehensive workbook and learning tools. In between live sessions, you'll have access to a library of resources to reinforce your learning. You’ll also receive regular learning prompts to keep you engaged and motivated throughout the program.

    Module 1

    Live session: 29 June 2025

    Module 4

    Live session: 21 September 2025

    Module 2

    Live session: 27 July 2025

    Module 5

    Live session: 19 October 2025

    Module 3

    Live session: 24 August 2025

    Module 6

    Live session: 16 November 2025

    Program content

    Each month we explore a dedicated topic related to your role as a councillor.  The program follows a cadence of reflection, learning, practice in real life and deepening your knowlege and skills with more resources.  

    #1 Lead with integrity & heart

    • Build awareness about how to lead with your head and your heart
    • Identify your core purpose and values as a councillor
    • Know how to stay aligned to your values and purpose when faced with challenges
    • Understand the impact of cognitive dissonance and how to navigate conflicting beliefs or actions

    #2 Cultivate a culture of good governance

    • Apply our 5 step framework for good governance
    • Understand what factors undermine good governance in local government
    • Cultivate a conscious and purposeful social media approach
    • Identify your conflict management style under pressure and learn your conflict triggers

    #3 Create change in the system

    • Unpack who does what in local government and learn how to align your ideas with the system
    • Learn the acronyms - what do they all mean!
    • Turn your initiatives into action
    • Develop the skill to synthesise complex information for decision making


    #4 Engage effectively with your community

    • Understand the engagement spectrum and your role within it
    • Engage purposefully and impactfully with your community on Council projects
    • Effectively manage public outrage (in-person and online)
    • Learn how to deliver bad news with empathy and transparency

    #5 Make a positive impact in the Chamber

    • Use our 7P framework for meeting success
    • Build your competency & confidence by mastering the meeting rules & process
    • Leverage logic, emotion and authority to influence decision
    • Master the art of listening - the secret weapon of meeting success!

    #6 Sustain your performance & impact

    • Understand the eight key elements that influence your wellbeing and performance as a councillor
    • Explore the impact of stress on both your mind and body
    • Learn practical strategies to build personal resilience against the pressures of public life
    • Celebrate your achievements

    Program inclusions: 

    • A Locale Leaders resource pack sent to you after enrolment

    • Bonus access to our Political Wellbeing Framework and Summit recordings

    • A 30 minute online one to one session with Emma to set your goals before the start of the program

    • Access to all Locale Leaders program content via our e-learning portal for 12 months after registration
    • Private Whats App group for connection with your peers and accessing your community brains trust

    Ready to dive in!

    Early bird price $2,700(+gst) ends on 31 May 2025
    Full price $3,500(+gst)
    Payment plans & invoicing available on request

    Program facilitators

    We’re passionate about helping elected leaders lead ethically, mindfully and effectively for their communities. Together we bring decades of experience in the local government sector, a stack of credentials plus a whole lot of heart!

    Emma Broomfield

    Emma is our Founder & Lead Facilitator who deeply believes in the power of local leaders to transform local communities. Over her 20 years experience in the local government industry, she has keenly observed the impacts of its adversarial nature on our elected leaders and knows how tough the job can be to lead and govern in today's complex world.

    She created Locale Learning with the express intent to support the whole human behind the official title and to provide a new way of supporting those that we elect to lead us.

    Emma is a trained lawyer, mediator, conflict coach and engagement specialist. She bridges the gaps between communities, councils and councillors. She has worked in over 40 LGAs and with hundreds of councillors as a trainer, coach, facilitator, legal advisor and Code of Conduct reviewer.

    Anna Miley

    Anna is our resident mindset and political wellbeing coach. Anna has a deep understanding of the impact of stress on the mind and body and loves to share both the science and the art of being mentally fit.

    As an accredited exercise physiologist, mindset coach and yoga therapist, with a strong background in entrepreneurship and small business, Anna brings a wealth of knowledge to Locale Learning.

    Since joining the Locale team in 2021, Anna has tailored her mindset & wellbeing coaching to help local government leaders build the mindset and self-care practices they need to support their brilliance. Anna’s professional mission is to educate on the power of self-leadership for better community leadership.

    Cinnamon Dunsford

    Cinnamon is a Registered Planner, community engagement specialist and trained mentor with the Planning Institute of Australia who has an exceptional knowledge of the NSW planning and local government system. Her love is community-led and grassroots planning. She loves to facilitate and engage with a wide range of stakeholders in the planning realm, and works closely with regional councils and communities to align visions and aspirations with practical solutions.

    With over 20 years' experience in the planning and local government sector across strategic, coastal, rural, environmental and economic planning issues, she brings a wealth of practical insights. In recognition of her planning expertise, she has recently been appointed as an Alternate Member of the Sydney & Regional Planning Panels by the Department of Planning & Environment.

    Outside of planning, Cinnamon loves being outdoors on the coast and cooking.

    What others say about us

    "I loved all the training and this new knowledge has given me more confidence in my role as an elected councillor and better equips me to be a stronger voice for our community."
    Program participant 2022
    "I really like this program. There are plenty of courses that cover the processes but this does it in a more individualised way and always with an emphasis on integrity. I love the way it helps me to evolve gently but purposefully into a better & more confident councillor. The interaction with the others in the program is also very useful. Rather than just telling us stuff, you guide us through it & encourage us to work it out ourselves."
    Program participant 2022
    "So far it’s been tremendous to have an avenue to continue to learn more about the governance side and some of the policy which I had no idea about when coming into this position. It is a very steep learning curve for me but that’s how I like to learn by throwing myself in the deep end, I am really loving it. Thank you for your wonderful support and how you guide us with your amazing knowledge and understanding of this subject matter and yet still allowing us to do it in our own style."
    Program participant 2022

    Program compatability guide 

    You are in your first or second term of office
    You wish to accelerate your learning curve to avoid a “I wish I had known that” scenario
    You have completed your initial induction training but are still feeling like there is so much to know and master
    You want to back your words with solid practical skills to make positive informed impact
    You want to best handle the unique pressures of local government with the other support other councillors in the same boat
    You're ready to embrace a growth mindset and be gently nudged outside your comfort zone
    You wish to confidently engage in positive politics with a clear sense of purpose and integrity
    You desire a structured and supportive learning environment to embed your knowledge 

    Scholarship opportunity

    Do you live in a regional or rural area? Then you are eligble to apply for a scholarship place in our program.

    Applications close: 23 May 2025

    Who we are and why we care

    At Locale Learning, we believe in humanising the political experience and supporting locally elected leaders to reach their leadership potential. 

    We are an Australian-based non-partisan political leadership accelerator working with local government councillors. Our mission is to build the capacity of impactful leaders for the communities they serve. 

    We've been globally recognised for the work we do in supporting our elected leaders thrive.

    Shape your future

    Early bird price $2,700(+gst) ends on 31 May 2025
    Full price $3,500(+gst)
    Payment plans & invoicing available on request

    Frequently asked questions

    Here are common questions about our Locale Leaders program

    Who should enrol?

    This leadership accelerator program is open to new and returning councillors. It is ideal for local councillors who have been elected for the first time in October 2024 or are returning for a second term after their initial election in 2022. 

    Who else is part of the program?

    The program is open to all councillors across New South Wales. You will be learning alongside other councillors from different places across NSW.

    How much time do I need to invest each week?

    To get the most out of the program you will need to commit around an hour to two each week. This includes time to prepare and reflect and also to apply your learning in real life. 

    Who pays for the program?

    Councillors may be able to access a professional development budget through their council. You are also able to enrol in our programs using your own funds.

    What platform does the program use?

    We use Zoom for the online live sessions. You will receive the Zoom links to access this session after enrolment.

    How do I access the self-led content?

    We house all of our training resources inside our easy to navigate e-learning platform. You will make an account and access all the self-led content here. At times we also provide resources via email.

    What if I miss an interactive live session?

    Don’t worry, you will not miss out! We will record the session and make the recording available to you after the session.

    How does the Whats App group work

    You will be invited to join the group and you will be able to connect and network with other motivated councillors in the program.

    Does it contribute to my professional development?

    Yes. Our programs are able to be reported in your professional development obligations as required by the Office of Local Government NSW or other jurisdiction. 

    What if I would like additional one to one support?

    If you feel that you need one to one support, please reach out to us to discuss how we can best meet those needs. 

    Can't decide?

    We can help you make a great decision, with no pressure. 

    Stay connected

    • contact@localelearning.com.au
    • 0421 180 881

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