Having grown up in Queanbeyan in a family with strong community connections, Sara Wightman has built on her experience as an aquatic specialist employed by the local council, to transition into sport and recreational management, and then event management, most recently adding performing arts and marketing management to her impressive CV. For Sara, walking down the main street for a five-minute task can sometimes take up to an hour as she greets everyone she meets along the way.
Tell us about your organisation and your role within it.
“As a local government, Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council delivers all the necessities for our residents including roads, waste, managing planning and development, libraries, sport and recreation and community support. I manage the team that puts on events or brings events to the region along with our entertainment and live theatre team.”
What inspired you to join this organisation?
“I fell into it really through my sporting connections. I was offered a job as a junior lifeguard and swim instructor in my late teens. I have been very lucky to work in an organisation that has given me many opportunities and projects to work on.
“When you love to work for and with the community to provide a service, you are very lucky as you can instantly see the results of what you have been working on, see the successes or even if it was not successful. The community will tell you in many ways if what you do is ticking the boxes for them.”
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“Seeing the enjoyment and reactions of others who are enjoying the party, event or entertainment we bring to them. It makes all the hard work and challenges worth it.
“There are many amazing people that I work with and have had great mentoring from in recent years. It is great to see the growing number of females in executive and in leadership positions within the local government sector. QPRC now has a female General Manager, two female Directors and a number of women in middle management positions.”
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am participating in the Terry Campese Foundation’s Special Forces Challenge in February 2023, raising funds for the annual TCF Youth Mentor Program to build a brighter future for young people. It runs for 30 hours over two days and the recruits will have to push ourselves to the limit! If you’re able to contribute that would be amazing and greatly appreciated. To sponsor my efforts, please visit www.mycause.com.au/p/296033/sara-wightman
To find out more about QPRC, visit www.qprc.nsw.gov.au or email [email protected]
For more information on sponsored partnerships, click here.
