Diploma of Local Government – Elected Members – Somerset and Lockyer Valley Councillors smash it!

Diploma of Local Government – Elected Members – Somerset and Lockyer Valley Councillors smash it!

Category : General News

The Local Government Association of Queensland offers Councillors the opportunity to learn about their roles and responsibilities. Somerset Regional Council’s Cheryl Gaedtke and Lockyer Valley Regional Council’s Michael Hagan wanted to achieve a deeper understanding of their elected positions, with the option to gain a national recognised qualification.

Crs Gaedtke and Hagan feel a sense of achievement and empowerment after successfully completing the diploma. Both Councillors agree that there was a great deal of research required, and lots of hours and in Cr Hagan’s case a lot of late nights to get through the course.

Cr Gaedtke commenced her career in Local Government at the age of 16, and says she has witnessed many changes during this time. “I was employed by Kilcoy Shire Council as Junior Clerk-Typist and worked my way up to Manager of Finance and Administration prior to council amalgamation in 2008” said Cr Gaedtke.

Cr Gaedtke enjoyed all fourteen units which offered training in areas such as manage conflict; establish cooperative arrangements with other organisations; coordinate and facilitate a change process; provide leadership within the council and community; and develop an asset management strategy for the council. Cr Gaedtke also enjoyed the town planning unit – manage council’s development assessment system and analysing strategic planning from an elected member’s perspective. “Strategic planning is so important from an elected member’s perspective; we are the vision makers of our communities for the next 20 years or so” said Cr Gaedtke.

Cr Gaedtke valued her earlier studies at the University of Sunshine Coast, when her text books assisted the research required for the change management unit. Registration for the diploma occurred on 12 December 2017, the diploma commenced on 15 February 2018 and finished on 13 June 2019, Cr Gaedtke said it has been a very rewarding period. “Councillors from many areas of Queensland got to meet and network, this alone is a “win win” situation” said Cr Gaedtke.

Cr Hagan appreciated the opportunity to form a better understanding of the roles of council departments as he worked closely with his council’s departments through the course. Crs Gaedtke and Hagan strongly encourage other elected officials to undertake the training.

Photo – Cr Cheryl Gaedtke; Cr Michael Hagan showing off their diplomas.


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Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region

Councillor Cheryl Gaedtke for a strong Somerset Region

I believe in open communication, active listening and a common sense approach, always.

This may very well be my last post on this site.I wish to congratulate all incoming Councillors, and I wish every single one of them all the best over the next four years, and I hope that I can be considered as part of the team, but from a very different perspective. I have the utmost confidence that our region will flourish under the leadership of Mayor Jason Wendt and the new "Team Somerset"!I share with my @followers the lovely Acknowledgement of Service of 39 years made to Queensland Local Government presented at my last Ordinary Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13 March 2024.Somerset Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes - 13 March 2024Acknowledgement of Service– Cr Gaedtke File Ref: Mayor and Councillor Reports Action Officer: EA Background/Summary Cr Gaedtke's career within Somerset Regional Council stands as a testament to her dedication to our community's welfare and advancement. Over nearly four decades of service, she has left a mark on the region, shaping its future for the better. With 39 years of committed service, including 31 years as a staff member and eight years as a councillor, Cr Gaedtke has illustrated the essence of public service. Her tenure has been characterised by a commitment to enhancing the lives of residents and driving meaningful progress within Somerset Regional Council and the former Kilcoy Shire Council. As a motivated figure within council, she has played a vital role in fostering collaboration and advancing effective strategies to address community needs. Cr Gaedtke's involvement with the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) committee has been a source of pleasure and fulfilment, allowing her to support and promote the arts within the region. Additionally, her engagement with various community committees has given her fond memories and invaluable experiences representing and engaging with a diverse array of people. These interactions have enriched her understanding of the community's needs and aspirations, further fuelling her dedication to serving its interests. Cr Gaedtke's legacy is ingrained in the fabric of Somerset Regional Council. Her dedication has set a high standard for public officials, inspiring others to work hard and honestly for local government. As Cr Gaedtke prepares to embark on the next chapter of her journey, we extend our gratitude for her service and contributions to Somerset Regional Council. We wish her a retirement filled with joy, longevity, and the opportunity to pursue her passions and dreams. Recommendation THAT Council receive the report ‘Acknowledgment of Service - Cr Gaedtke’ and it be placed on the public record as an expression of sincere gratitude for her thirty-nine years of committed service to Somerset Regional Council and former Kilcoy Shire Council, serving as both an employee and Councillor. Resolution Subject: Moved – Cr Whalley Seconded – Cr Brieschke “THAT Council receive the report ‘Acknowledgment of Service - Cr Gaedtke’ and it be placed on the public record as an expression of sincere gratitude for her thirty-nine years of committed service to Somerset Regional Council and former Kilcoy Shire Council, serving as both an employee and Councillor.” Vote - Unanimous Carried ... See MoreSee Less
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Councillor Gaedtke - Councillor Report - Ordinary Council Meeting13 March 2024Queensland will be the biggest loser from the latest GST carve-up among the states and territories, the Commonwealth Grants Commission has revealed. In its latest report on Tuesday, the commission revealed Queensland’s share of GST in 2024-25 would be cut by nearly $500m on last year’s figure, to $17.46bn, while other states will also lose, and other states will benefit from the proposed changes. How will this impact Queensland Local Government?I have had a very sick husband for the past four weeks and shingles has caused him to suffer with severe nerve pain in the left side of his head, with very little successful pain control. This has made me realise what is important in life, and what is not. Yesterday, I was made aware of a third news article by close friends, that once again attempts to discredit me as a councillor for a live 20 second video. As human beings we all make mistakes, but we must own our mistakes and learn by them, enough said. It is totally un-Australian not to be able to voice your opinion openly, responsibility and professionally. The perpetrator this time may have shown the true character. As I said after the second news article, some 13 months ago, I pray for the soul of this tormented individual. I believe almost 40 years loyal service to Local Government outweighs one minor error of judgement.Ordinary Council Meeting Minutes RECORDMatters of public interest – Cr Gaedtke I read this morning that Queensland will be the biggest losers in the GST carve up amongst the States. The Commonwealth Grants Commission has revealed this unfortunately. So, in its latest report on Tuesday, the Commission revealed Queensland share of GST in 2024 - 25 will be cut by nearly five hundred million dollars so that's a cut on last year's things of 17.46 billion dollars. So, all I'm thinking, other states are losing obviously, other states are gaining. Queensland's not gaining, it's losing and I wonder how this impact will affect Queensland local government. And secondly, and this pain's me having to raise this but I think I'm entitled to do this. I've had a very sick husband for the past four weeks and shingles has caused him to suffer with severe pain on the left side of his head with very little successful pain control. It's a horrendous health condition. And if I can just implore everyone who's had chicken pox or even if you're not sure about chickenpox please give them their vaccination. Shingles is a horrible thing to go through I'm sitting and watching it as we speak now. So, this has made me realise what is important in life and what’s not. Yesterday I was made aware of a third news article by a close friend. My friend tells me that it's about a live 20 second video that I did back in May 2022 at the opening of the Toogoolawah Gym and Pool. It was the official opening. Yes, I did a 20 second live video tape which was against policy and the funding agreement from the state government as it funded most of that structure. So, once again this individual attempt to discredit me as a councillor through printed articles. This is the third one, the third one since May 2022. I've made mistakes but we own our mistakes and learn by them. That's enough said because we're human beings. So it's to me it is totally un-Australian not to be able to voice my opinion openly and responsibly and professionally as I did in the newspaper back on the sixth of March 2024 about how I found local government over 40 years and who my preferred candidates are to lead this council in the right direction over the next four years and beyond. So, the perpetrator this time they've shown their true character by the article that appears in a local newspaper. As I said after the second news article some 13 months ago, I prayed for the soul of this tormented individual. I believe my 40 years of loyal service to local government outbreaks one minor error of judgement. Thank you ... See MoreSee Less
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Eight years ago🙂❣️ ... See MoreSee Less
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