Live & online

Political Wellbeing Lab 2026

A focused, practical 2-hour learning experience designed specifically for Australian councillors navigating the pressures of civic office.

  • Format

    Online & live

  • Date

    Thursday, 2 July 2026

  • Facilitators

    4 experts

  • Time

    6:00pm to 8:00pm (AEST)
    Political Wellbeing Lab 2026 - Locale Learning

    The reality of being a councillor in 2026

    Community expectations are rising. Online hostility is escalating. Meetings are more adversarial. Time demands rarely switch off.

    Serving as a councillor now requires more than policy knowledge and a strong connection to your community. It demands personal resilience, conflict intelligence, and the capacity to navigate and withstand an often hostile online environment. 

    Without the right tools, the cost is real:
    • Burnout and exhaustion
    • Reactive decision-making
    • Escalating and entrenched conflict
    • Strained relationships that impact decisions
    • Reputation risk and loss of trust

    The Political Wellbeing Lab is a focused, practical 2-hour experience designed specifically for Australian councillors navigating these pressures.

    What you will gain

    By the end of the Lab, you'll walk away with a toolkit to build your sustainability & performance in your councillor role. Most importantly. you'll leave better equipped to serve your community.

    #1 Access to thought-leading framework

    Learn a clear, research-backed approach to understanding the links between your councillor role and your wellbeing. This framework will help you make sense of the challenges you're facing.

    #2  Tools & templates to mitigate risk

    Get hands-on resources designed to directly address the governance risks arising from poor wellbeing. From reflective exercises to script templates, these tools protect you and others.

    #3 Personal wellbeing action plan

    Create a tailored roadmap to enhance your political wellbeing. Identify what matters most to you and what action you will take so you can focus on delivering outcomes for your community.

    Your wellbeing is the heart of your civic leadership

    The Political Wellbeing Lab is based on our thought-leading Political Wellbeing Framework which was launched at the inaugrual Political Wellbeing Summit in 2025. Our Framework identifies eight key elements that impact a councillor’s wellbeing and leadership. It is a practical resource to prevent burnout of our elected leaders, support their personal sustainability and ensure better outcomes for our communities.

    Overview of the Lab

    The Political Wellbeing Lab is a focused, practical 2 hour online learning intensive designed to help local councillors to build the resilience to sustain their performance over the Council term. After the welcome and fireside chat, you'll participate in two 30-minute facilitated sessions based on the topics of your choice. You'll wrap up with an action plan to maintain momentum from the Lab.

    Welcome 

    You’ll be welcomed into the Lab and we’ll outline the structure, introduce our Framework, and invite you to connect with others in the Lab.

    Fireside chat

    The Lab will open with a grounded and practical fireside chat with current serving councillors - Councillor Connie Boglis from Darebin City Council (Victoria) and Councillor David Meacheam from Central Highlands Council (Tasmania) both of whom are champions of the Better Politics Study into the mental wellbeing of politicians in Australia. This conversation will share insights and lived experience into the room.

    Break out session 1 

    You will move into your first facilitated breakout session, selecting the topic most relevant to your current leadership challenges.

    Break out session 2

    Building on the momentum of the first session, this is your opportunity to expand your toolkit and further expand your skills.

    Close

    We'll end by consolidating key insights and reinforcing practical takeaways, so you leave with a tailored action plan to sustain your service to the community.

    Breakout sessions

    Choose the focus area most relevant to your current leadership challenge. You will participate in two 30-minute facilitated sessions. Each session is facilitated by an experienced leadership practitioner who understands the political landscape of local government.
    You’ll leave with practical tools you can apply immediately.

    Breakout session #1

    Motivation & attitude

    Staying committed to long-term change when progress feels slow and criticism is loud.

     Time & capacity

    Setting boundaries to avoid over-commitment and protect decision-making capacity.

    Conflict & relationships

    Managing angry community members in person and online with authority and composure.

    Ethical action

    Addressing uncivil behaviour of other councillors and holding others to account.

    Breakout session #2

    Technical know-how

    Creating an effective notice of motion to drive real change in your community.

    Digital safety

    Cultivating an intentional online presence while protecting yourself online.

     Social connection

    Protecting & nurturing the relationships and activities that anchor you beyond politics.

    Physical  & mental health

    Applying mental health first aid in the moment to sustain performance across the Council term.

    Claim your spot in the Lab

    Learn practical skills to strength your impact and to manage the pressures of public office.

    $250(+GST) for individuals | Group discount available
    Early bird price (20% discount) avaiable to 31 May 2026

    Why this Lab is different

    Content designed for local councillors

    The Lab is designed exclusively for councillors in local government in Australia. Is it not adapted corporate content.

    Focused on solutions

    We're past talking about problems. You will leave with new skills and enhanced capacity to withstand the challenges of civic office.

    Grounded in lived experience

    The focus areas of the Lab reflect the findings of our Political Wellbeing Summit and the topics that matter most to councillors

    Access real-time social media moderation tools

    At the Lab, we are partnering with Areto to provide eligible participants access to to the Face Forward initiative.

    This is a fully funded program providing software moderation to mitigate harm from social media abuse for elected women and gender-diverse people, election candidates, and their social media managers. This two year, non-partisan initiative is being delivered in partnership with the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, and is available at a local government level in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific. 

    Learn more here.

    Who should attend

    Newly elected councillors adjusting to the realities of public office
    Mayors and deputy mayors dealing with increased incivility
    Returning councillors navigating rising hostility and increased demands
    Councillors committed to serving effectively without sacrificing their wellbeing

    Meet the Lab host  & facilitators

    The Political Wellbeing Lab will be facilitated by four fabulous facilitators who care deeply about your success and have extensive experience in supporting councillors thrive in their roles.

    Emma Broomfield

    Emma is our founder and lead facilitator, with over 20 years’ experience in local government and a strong belief in the power of local leaders to transform communities. She created Locale Learning to support the whole person behind the role, drawing on her expertise as a lawyer, mediator, conflict coach, and engagement specialist, and her experience working with hundreds of councillors across more than 40 LGAs.

    Anna
    Miley 

    Anna is our mindset and political wellbeing coach, with expertise in stress, mental fitness, and self-leadership. As an accredited exercise physiologist, mindset coach, and yoga therapist, she brings a strong background in entrepreneurship and small business. Since joining Locale Learning in 2021, Anna has supported local government leaders to build the mindset and self-care practices needed to lead effectively.

    Karen 
    Foster

    Karen is a sitting Councillor (and former Mayor) and seasoned Board director with a wealth of knowledge in political and community leadership. She has experienced first hand the challenges and opportunities of being an elected representative. Karen is dedicated to elevating and supporting the leadership of women in local government and has spent many years coaching and mentoring women. Her passion is self-leadership. 

    Sandy
    Killick

    Sandy’s priority is equipping people with the skills, practices and habits to grow democracy between elections. Her goal is to ensure all have the skills and confidence to keep Australian democracy fit for purpose. She is a qualified executive coach, nationally accredited mediator, conflict coach, ethics trainer, experienced adult educator. She is a Social Leadership Australia alumna and Churchill Fellow.

    Our Lab partners

    Guests at the fireside

    The Lab will open a fireside chat with two current serving local councillors, both of whom are champions of the Better Politics Foundation study into the mental wellbeing of politicians in Australia and will be sharing their wisdom about how they sustain themselves in civic office.

    Councillor Connie Boglis OAM

    Connie Boglis is a Councillor with Darebin City Council. She is also a counsellor, youth worker, author, and nationally recognised mental health advocate with more than 20 years of experience supporting vulnerable communities across Australia. Awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2024 for her service to mental health reform, veterans, and the community, Connie is widely respected for her leadership in suicide prevention, veteran family advocacy, lived-experience leadership, and community wellbeing. She is the author of Once Upon a Feeling and has contributed to numerous national advisory and reform initiatives focused on mental health, trauma recovery, and safer support systems. Through her work across local government, advocacy, and the community sector, Connie continues to champion compassionate leadership, resilience, and meaningful social change.

    Councillor David Meacheam

    David Meacheam is a Councillor with the Central Highlands Council and a long-standing advocate for sustainable regional communities, environmental stewardship, and community wellbeing across Tasmania’s Central Highlands. Based in Miena, David brings a strong commitment to local governance, renewable energy engagement, liveability, and regional development, with a particular focus on balancing environmental sustainability with community outcomes. He has contributed to a range of community and council initiatives relating to renewable energy, infrastructure, grants programs, and regional resilience, and is widely recognised for his thoughtful advocacy on behalf of rural and remote communities.

    What others say about us

    "The Summit content was really impressive - both for its empathic tone and wise content."
    Summit attendee
    "Your framework is something to be really proud of – it is brilliant in my opinion, comprehensive and right on point."
    Michelle McFayden - Michelle McFayden Consulting
    "I believe the Summit was very worthwhile. I am sure this is just the beginning of a very long and much needed conversation that must be had now and into the future."
    Craig Swift-McNair - General Manager, Woollhra Municipal Council

    Register now

    Unlock a deeper understanding of the forces that influence your wellbeing as a local councillor and expand your capacity for sustained performance over the Council term.

    $250(+GST) for individuals | Group discount available
    Early bird price (20% discount) avaiable to 31 May 2026

    Frequently asked questions

    Here are common questions about the Political Wellbeing Lab.

    Who should attend?

    The Political Wellbeing Lab is designed specifically for local councillors in Australia, including first-term councillors, returning councillors, mayors and deputy mayors.

    It is suitable for councillors from metropolitan councils, regional councils and rural and remote communities.

    What tech do I need to join?

    The Lab will be hosted on Zoom. You need your device (computer or ipad) and a good internet connection.

    How do I register for the Lab?

    Simply hit enrol, and you'll be taken to the check-out. If you don't have an account already, you'll need to create one on our e-learning platform. Inside your account you will be able to access all Lab content. 

    What happens once I register?

    If you are new to our portal, when you register you will need to verify your account by responding to the verification email sent to the email address you provided when enrolling (check your junk mail!). Once you're in the portal. complete the welcome activities before the live Lab.

    Can councils register multiple councillors?

    Yes. Councils are encouraged to support multiple councillors to attend as part of their broader councillor professional development strategy. To enrol multiple councillors, please contact us on 0421 180 881 or contact@localelearning.com.au to organise a group discount. We will issue you an invoice and manually enrol each councillor.

    Does this count as professional development for councillors?

    Yes. The Political Wellbeing Lab qualifies as professional development for councillors in Australia. It strengthens leadership capability, governance awareness, conflict management skills, and resilience — all critical competencies for effective performance in local government. 

    Will my council cover the costs?

    Many councils allocate professional development budgets specifically for councillor training. Please check with your council whether the budget covers this learning experience. 

    What practical tools will I receive?

    You will access a package of tools and templates from our e-learning portal. These are designed for immediate application in Australian local government contexts.

    What language is spoken?

    English.

    More questions?

    Please email us at contact@localelearning.com.au or call Emma on 0421 180 881

    Who we are and why we care

    At Locale Learning, we believe in humanising the political experience and supporting locally elected leaders to reach their leadership potential.

    We are an Australian-based non-partisan political leadership accelerator working with local government councillors. Our mission is to build the capacity of impactful leaders for the communities they serve.

    We've been globally recognised for the work we do in supporting our elected leaders elevate their wellbeing and performance.

    Join the Lab

    Engage with a community of curious minds exploring the intersection of politics and wellbeing. Discover practical ways to navigate political life while boosting your personal and collective wellbeing.

    $250(+gst) for an individual, with a discount available for group bookings
    Early bird price (20% discount) avaiable to 31 May 2026

    Stay connected

    • contact@localelearning.com.au
    • 0421 180 881

    Quick links

    Leadership accelerators
    Workshops
    Coaching & mentoring
    Tailored advice
    Webinars
    Articles

    Who are you?

    Council

    Candidate

    Policies

    Terms and conditions

    Privacy

    Cookies

    We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work, live, and care. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of all First Nations people and acknowledge their deep continuing connection to Country, culture and community. 

    All rights reserved. Locale Learning (c) 2023 - 2024
    Created with