The Walcha Council general manager talks to us about her first four months and equality in the workplace

I am originally from Newcastle and had spent most of my life there at school, studying and working. I have worked in water and rail industries, working for both client and contractor.

I am blessed to have the support of my wonderful husband, Luke and our kids, Mirella and Dante.

It was around 18 months ago now that Luke and I decided we would search for a new family adventure. At the time, we didn't know where, but we did know we wanted a change.

I was searching for a rewarding role - one where I could make a positive difference; and we both wanted to try country living.

We seem to have hit the jackpot here in Walcha.

We have all felt very welcome since we moved here. Mirella is especially excited about all of her new friends and is enjoying kindergarten at Walcha central.

Luke is passionate about sustainable living and growing your own food - I am hoping he enters some of his Croudace St Organic produce in the show.

When I get time, I enjoy walks and reading.

And Dante - well he just loves being outside getting dirty and breaking whatever he can get his hands on!

You have had an extremely hectic start to your new job, aside from those things was the role what you expected?

After I accepted the role, I spent a good 4 weeks planning my first 100 days. I arrived here energised and ready to go.

When we pulled into the driveway of our new place with the trailer full to the hilt - Eric and Sheree were there to meet us and give us the keys.

I think it was 5 minutes into the 'welcome to Walcha' conversation that Eric informed me that the motorcycle festival organisers were about to announce the cancellation.

The following Friday I was standing with Eric on a property at Kangaroo Flat Road watching a fire tear through the Yarrowitch area.

Needless to say, that well thought out plan for my first 100 days went straight out the window! Aside from the intensity of the fires, level 5 restrictions and the motorcycle festival, the role has been everything I expected and more.

Reflecting on the first four months, I think I am most proud of our free pool admission and inflatable this summer. Seeing both big and small kids enjoy the inflatable and be able to enjoy the pool all summer long is something I will never forget.

Now discussing those things - the Motorbike Weekend, fires, ongoing drought and water restrictions - you have handled these issues very well. What experience have you been able to draw on to deal with these things?

I have had some experience in responding and recovering from train derailments and construction site incidents, but nothing to the scale of what we have endured this bushfire season.

I think that my past experience gave me the confidence to help to coordinate the response and the recovery as best as we could.

Although they were very difficult circumstances, the silver lining for me was that it was a great opportunity to meet many of our community members and supporting agencies very soon after starting in the role.

Have you been able to implement your initial plan?

I am slowly getting back on track with my original plan and making sure I continue to listen to my staff, the councillors and the community to help shape our future work.

What do you see as your priorities for 2020?

2020 is shaping up to be a big one - for council, councillors, and our community. The level of grant and bushfire relief funding currently available is overwhelming, and we owe it to our community to maximise and capitalise on every opportunity.

A few of my top priorities for 2020 include water, waste, community engagement, the local government election preparation and councillor induction, and welcoming all of Woolbrook and Niangala to our Walcha LGA family.

Do you think being a woman has influenced your career path - either in the way you approach it or the way others react to you?

Looking back to the early phase of my career I was very cautious not to "let my guard down" or "be myself" at work, worried that I always had to project a sense of 'perfect professionalism' to support career progression.

I don't know where that thought came from if it was subconscious or learned. But as my career has progressed, I have found greater career success by doing the exact opposite.

I now concentrate on playing to my strengths of engagement, positivity, strategic thinking and authenticity; and by doing so, I am acting true to myself, my values and my personality.

Whether we are female or male, uni graduate or experienced professional, plant operator or engineer - we are all individuals that bring different strengths to our roles. Since I have played to mine, I have found work more enjoyable and rewarding.

I admire strong, inclusive and capable leaders. My two favourites being Jacinda Ardern and Nelson Mandela.

Is Walcha Council gender equal?

At Walcha Council, we are close to 50/50, which is both refreshing and impressive. In my last role, I was one of three senior female leaders in a group of 24.

But with a 15+ year career in engineering and construction, I am not phased by being one of a few, or even the only female in the room.

There are seven members of Walcha Council's senior leadership team, of which five roles are female, and two are vacant. It is refreshing to have the scale tilt in the 'non-traditional' way. Although gender is just one measure of diversity.

I am a big fan of true diversity spanning experience, age, gender, background and culture, and believe we need to aim for balance in all of these aspects to enable great things.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I am grateful to our Mayor and Councillors for the opportunity to join Walcha Council as their General Manager. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly, and I am committed to lead our council into the future. Thank you to all of the Walcha community for welcoming the Modderno family to this beautiful town.

International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality. The first IWD gathering occurred more than a century ago in 1911 and was supported by over a million people.

The International Women's Day 2020 campaign theme is #EachforEqual