Tanya Loban - Torres Shire Council

Tanya Loban, Human Resource Manager, Torres Shire Council

Propeller 2021 – What a journey it has been. What with an international pandemic the likes of which none of us have experienced. But some how we managed to see through the and travel from Far North Queensland to the South Burnett and the Sunshine Coast.

Council’s visited:

<< Ethel Mosby, Lisa Hamilton & Tanya Loban

Propeller Takeaways:

1. Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council - for me it was bonding with professionals from various local governments sharing each other’s experience and knowledge. As a Torres Strait Islander, travelling to Cherbourg was particularly moving especially given the history of dispassion in this state, where my relatives and ancestors were forcibly removed from Islands in the Torres Strait into reserves like Cherbourg. Whilst there, I was blown away with the fantastic Waste Recycling Facility. Andrew Beckett – Facilitator Manager and the Council should be congratulated for this remarkable achievement.

2. How different Councils face common problems and determine their own unique solutions.

In my area of Human Resources, it was very interesting to learn of the different approaches currently being adopted to recruit Gen Z or strategies to retain employees with critical skills.

3. Propeller opportunity – being nominated by our Council to participate in the 2021 Propeller Program allowed both Ethel and I to step outside of our comfort zones, whilst it was initially daunting, it was very rewarding. The learning and development gained through participation by all has been a life experience and many new friendships forged.

If you want to be in an eye-opening once in a life time Local Government experience, get involved in the Propeller program – “Be the Change”.