A ground breaking initiative that flipped the script by putting young people in charge of Council’s youth strategy and NSW’s largest flower festival are the two big winners for Cumberland Council at the Local Government Excellence Awards held on 7 June 2018.
Council’s Youth Participation and Programs Team won the award for ‘Innovative Leadership and Management’ while the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival won the award for ‘Local Economic Contribution’.
Council had five finalists at the 2018 Local Government Excellence Awards, including its Mobile Community Recycling Service, Fight the Dust Asbestos Awareness Campaign and Auburn Park upgrade.
Mayor Greg Cummings congratulated staff and said the result was richly deserved.
“Five finalists and two winners is great recognition of our talented and hard-working staff and showcases the terrific work we are delivering for Cumberland,” said Mayor Greg Cummings.
“At Cumberland we are determined to take an innovative approach to local government. From this perspective it makes sense that a youth strategy should be shaped and driven by young people themselves.
“The move away from a traditional top down approach to one that is youth lead also delivers far better outcomes for residents. Young people are the real experts of their own lives.
“We’ve now reached a point where we’ve integrated youth participation into every level of the design and delivery of our youth programs and services.
“This is the second major award for the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival this year. Like other major cultural tourism events and festivals, the Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival has proven to have a significant impact on the local Cumberland economy.
“Last year the event attracted 90,000 visitors, of which some 62,000 were from outside the LGA. The flow on effect to local businesses is considerable, adding an estimated $3.8m to the local economy.”
L-R: Acting Group Manager, Community and Culture, Merryn Howell, Acting Deputy General Manager, Corporate and Community, Brooke Endycott, Community Events Coordinator, Amanda Moran, Community Participation Coordinator, Mia Cox and Coordinator Passive Parks, Kerrie Davies
