Mentoring in Action: Holly's Journey
Port Pirie Regional Council is proud to celebrate staff member Holly Gwynne, Personal Assistant to the Director Corporate and Community, who will share her mentoring journey as a panel member at the 2026 Women's Network Conference: Empower.
Hosted by LG Professionals SA, the annual conference brings together women from across the local government sector to connect, learn and share experiences, with a focus on leadership, mentoring and professional growth.
Holly has been invited to participate in the conference's Mentoring in Action panel discussion, where she will share insights from her involvement in the Women's Network Mentor / Mentee Connections Pilot Program. Her experience highlights the value of mentoring, meaningful professional connections, and the confidence and growth that can emerge through a successful mentoring relationship.
Ahead of the conference, Holly shared her reflections on the mentoring program, the impact it has had on her personal and professional development, and the value mentoring can bring to individuals and organisations alike.
How did you become involved in the Women's Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot, and what inspired you to take part?
“My former Director of Corporate and Community, Luigi Mesisca, encouraged me to apply for the Women's Network Mentor Mentee Connections Pilot. He saw it as an opportunity for me to broaden my understanding of the local government sector and learn from people who were also progressing their careers within the industry. The program's aim to build confidence, capability and professional growth really resonated with me.
What really inspired me to take part was the opportunity to learn from someone outside of my own organisation. Local government can be incredibly diverse, and I was keen to gain different perspectives, hear about experiences from other councils, and challenge myself to grow both personally and professionally.”
Can you tell us about your mentoring journey with Susan and some of the key lessons or experiences that have had the greatest impact on your personal and professional development?
“I was matched with Susan, the Executive Assistant from Adelaide Plains Council and we connected almost immediately. Although Susan was also relatively new to local government, she brought extensive experience from her career in State Government.
One of the most valuable aspects of our mentoring relationship was having a trusted sounding board. We regularly discussed workplace challenges, ideas and professional goals. Having someone outside my organisation allowed me to look at situations from a different perspective and often helped me see opportunities where I may have otherwise seen obstacles.
Susan encouraged me to back myself more, trust my judgement, and recognise the skills I already brought to my role. Having someone to bounce ideas off helped me see things differently and gave me the confidence to take on new challenges. The experience reinforced the importance of continuous learning and being open to new perspectives.”
As someone now sharing your story on a conference panel, what has it been like reflecting on your mentoring experience and preparing to discuss it with a wider audience?
“It's been really rewarding to reflect on the experience and recognise just how much I gained from it. When you're in the middle of a mentoring program, you're often focused on the next conversation or the next goal, so taking a step back has allowed me to appreciate the impact it has had on my confidence and growth.
Preparing for the panel has also reminded me that mentoring is about more than just career progression. It's about connection, support, sharing experiences, and learning from one another. If sharing my journey encourages even one person to put their hand up for a future program, then I'd consider that a great outcome.”
How has Port Pirie Regional Council supported your participation in the mentoring program and provided opportunities for your professional growth and development?
“Port Pirie Regional Council has been incredibly supportive. I've been fortunate to work in an organisation that values professional development and encourages staff to take up opportunities that help broaden their knowledge.
Having leaders who genuinely invest in staff growth makes a significant difference, and I am grateful to have worked with managers who have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and continue developing both personally and professionally.”
Looking back on the experience, what would you say to others considering a mentoring program, and what value do you think mentoring brings to both individuals and organisations?
“I would absolutely encourage anyone considering a mentoring program to get involved.
Mentoring provides a unique opportunity to learn from someone else's experiences and expand your professional network. It can often help you identify strengths in yourself that you may not have fully recognised and encourage you to think differently about challenges.
For an organisation, mentoring helps develop capable and confident employees while strengthening relationships and sharing knowledge across the sector. Ultimately, when people feel supported to learn and develop, both the individual and the organisation benefit.
Looking back, one of the greatest outcomes for me was the relationship that was built through the program. The skills, confidence and insights I gained were invaluable, but equally important was knowing there was someone willing to share their experience and genuinely invest in my growth. That is the real value of mentoring.”
Council congratulates Holly on this well-deserved opportunity and is proud to see her sharing her mentoring journey on a state-wide stage. Her experience reinforces the importance of investing in people, building professional networks and embracing opportunities for growth.
