Applications for this exchange program are open to all LGPro Professional, Young Professional, and Fellow financial members with at least one year’s membership. Completed online applications must be received by COB Monday 31 March 2025.

As part of this exchange, LGPro requires the recipient to commit to the following:

• Submission of a short report to the LGPro. This report should focus on the highlights of the exchange including learnings about new approaches and responses to challenges facing local communities and that have potential application to Victorian local government.
• Provide a presentation on the experience as part of a future LGPro event.
• Provide a 1,200-word article for LGPro's Profile magazine
• Host the NZ Exchangee during their visit to Victoria in 2026 and assist them in planning a relevant itinerary.
• Post regular social media updates during the exchange.

Based on each applicants’ objectives and visit expectations, LGPro will review each application and select the appropriate recipient. Therefore, detailed information provided in the application is crucial to recipient selection and applicants are encouraged to supply all information requested in the application form. The successful applicant will be publicly announced at the LGPro Awards for Excellence Dinner held at the 2025 Annual Conference on 5 June 2025.

The successful applicant will be an ambassador for their council, LGPro, and the sector. This implies a high level of responsibility. You must be willing to commit time to the exchange preparation and execution as well as the time in visiting New Zealand.

It is important that the exchangee is well prepared to ensure a valuable learning experience. Some recipients have found it helpful to discuss this opportunity with members (in other states) who have already undertaken an exchange. LGPro can provide contact information if required.

Each recipient will identify their needs and objectives and include them in the exchange itinerary. Host Managers, in co-operation with the recipient, will then arrange targeted visits and programs. It is important not to over-plan your visit – ensure sufficient down time and remain flexible should other last-minute opportunities arise.

Visits to other local authorities can be included. Previous recipients in other jurisdictions have found it beneficial to compile a list of questions to be discussed during the visits. This will allow the Host to ensure appropriate staff and information is available.

In addition to the development of exchange itineraries, both you and your Host should exchange background information on your respective local authority systems and strategies, major projects, opportunities and challenges.

The recipient should make every effort to understand the current management and needs of the Host’s community and be prepared to present the Victoria situation and their own local authority with a PowerPoint presentation.

LGPro will meet the cost of a return economy airfare, car hire or other travel modes for the recipient from their home to the hosting local authority and also to the Taituarā Annual Conference in New Zealand. Taituarā will also cover the conference registration and up to five (5) nights of accommodation in New Zealand. LGPro will also contribute up to a $500 AUD expense allowance to the recipient towards incidental costs associated with the exchange.

LGPro will also reimburse the cost of an adequate travel medical insurance policy taken out by the recipient.

Expenses not explicitly mentioned here will be the recipient’s responsibility.

Each recipient will make their own flight and travel arrangements and in association with the host obtain advice on the domestic portion of the flight and/or trips they may wish to make before or after the conference. In making travel arrangements, at least two competitive quotes should be obtained for airfares.

The recipient will be initially responsible for all costs and will then claim the portion of expenditure that is subsidised by LGPro including with the submission of receipts.

The payment arrangements by LGPro are:

• 70% of costs will be reimbursed to the recipient at the commencement of the Manager Exchange; and
• 30% (the balance) will be reimbursed upon completion of the Exchange and submission of the Exchange report to the Board.

The recipient will host the Exchangee from New Zealand. The recipient is required to attend the LGPro Annual Conference in June 2026 and host the visiting Exchange Manager.

Once dates for the visit are agreed upon, the LGPro Host should be in a position to give maximum attention to their Exchange Manager at the conference and in their workplace. Therefore, they should have the support of their local government, supervisor and/or CEO.

The exchange manager may wish to spend time with the Victorian host prior to the annual conference. This can provide a better understanding of the country, the local government system and the issues likely to be discussed at the conference.

Applications for this exchange program are open to all LGPro Professional, Young Professional, and Fellow financial members with at least one year’s membership. Completed online applications must be received by COB Monday 31 March 2025.

As part of this exchange, LGPro requires the recipient to commit to the following:

• Submission of a short report to the LGPro. This report should focus on the highlights of the exchange including learnings about new approaches and responses to challenges facing local communities and that have potential application to Victorian local government.
• Provide a presentation on the experience as part of a future LGPro event.
• Provide a 1,200-word article for LGPro's Profile magazine
• Host the NZ Exchangee during their visit to Victoria in 2026 and assist them in planning a relevant itinerary.
• Post regular social media updates during the exchange.

Based on each applicants’ objectives and visit expectations, LGPro will review each application and select the appropriate recipient. Therefore, detailed information provided in the application is crucial to recipient selection and applicants are encouraged to supply all information requested in the application form. The successful applicant will be publicly announced at the LGPro Awards for Excellence Dinner held at the 2025 Annual Conference on 5 June 2025.

The successful applicant will be an ambassador for their council, LGPro, and the sector. This implies a high level of responsibility. You must be willing to commit time to the exchange preparation and execution as well as the time in visiting New Zealand.

It is important that the exchangee is well prepared to ensure a valuable learning experience. Some recipients have found it helpful to discuss this opportunity with members (in other states) who have already undertaken an exchange. LGPro can provide contact information if required.

Each recipient will identify their needs and objectives and include them in the exchange itinerary. Host Managers, in co-operation with the recipient, will then arrange targeted visits and programs. It is important not to over-plan your visit – ensure sufficient down time and remain flexible should other last-minute opportunities arise.

Visits to other local authorities can be included. Previous recipients in other jurisdictions have found it beneficial to compile a list of questions to be discussed during the visits. This will allow the Host to ensure appropriate staff and information is available.

In addition to the development of exchange itineraries, both you and your Host should exchange background information on your respective local authority systems and strategies, major projects, opportunities and challenges.

The recipient should make every effort to understand the current management and needs of the Host’s community and be prepared to present the Victoria situation and their own local authority with a PowerPoint presentation.

LGPro will meet the cost of a return economy airfare, car hire or other travel modes for the recipient from their home to the hosting local authority and also to the Taituarā Annual Conference in New Zealand. Taituarā will also cover the conference registration and up to five (5) nights of accommodation in New Zealand. LGPro will also contribute up to a $500 AUD expense allowance to the recipient towards incidental costs associated with the exchange.

LGPro will also reimburse the cost of an adequate travel medical insurance policy taken out by the recipient.

Expenses not explicitly mentioned here will be the recipient’s responsibility.

Each recipient will make their own flight and travel arrangements and in association with the host obtain advice on the domestic portion of the flight and/or trips they may wish to make before or after the conference. In making travel arrangements, at least two competitive quotes should be obtained for airfares.

The recipient will be initially responsible for all costs and will then claim the portion of expenditure that is subsidised by LGPro including with the submission of receipts.

The payment arrangements by LGPro are:

• 70% of costs will be reimbursed to the recipient at the commencement of the Manager Exchange; and
• 30% (the balance) will be reimbursed upon completion of the Exchange and submission of the Exchange report to the Board.

The recipient will host the Exchangee from New Zealand. The recipient is required to attend the LGPro Annual Conference in June 2026 and host the visiting Exchange Manager.

Once dates for the visit are agreed upon, the LGPro Host should be in a position to give maximum attention to their Exchange Manager at the conference and in their workplace. Therefore, they should have the support of their local government, supervisor and/or CEO.

The exchange manager may wish to spend time with the Victorian host prior to the annual conference. This can provide a better understanding of the country, the local government system and the issues likely to be discussed at the conference.