Spotlight Mastery

Advanced high-pressure communication skills for senior local government leaders

When the spotlight hits, there's no room for error.

If you’re a local government leader who communicates in high-stakes public situations like media interviews, Council meetings and community forums, you’ll know how stressful it feels.

The pressure of getting it right, facing aggressive questions and giving the right response while flying by the seat of your pants… it’s easy to falter under the strain and not deliver at your best.

What if, in one day, you could pick up new insights and practical skills that make all the difference to your credibility in the spotlight?

You can, by attending this session.

This is not run-of-the-mill media or presentation training.

It’s a unique experience, customised for local government, where an industry insider will share the specifics essential for leaders operating under intense scrutiny.

Who this is for:

Mayors, Councillors, CEOs, General Managers, Directors, Department Heads, Subject Matter Experts
Local government leaders who are expected to:
- Speak with authority under pressure
- Navigate complex, sensitive issues in public
- Maintain credibility when the stakes are high

What you will master:

This intensive one-day session is designed to ensure you can:

Communicate with clarity, even when the issue is complex or contentious
Maintain credibility under media pressure
Handle difficult questions without losing control of the narrative
Project authority, calm, and leadership in every interaction

You won't just discover what to say. You'll learn how to be believed.

What makes this different?

Most public communication training focuses on technique. This goes further. You’ll gain access to:

Proven strategies used by senior leaders during nationally significant issues
The nuanced decisions that shape public perception in real time
The difference between sounding prepared and being trusted

This is the layer that separates competent spokespeople from trusted community leaders.

Highly practical and personalised

This is not a passive session. We’ll cover various high-pressure communication situations and then you get to choose what you’ll focus on: media, speaking on the floor of Council, community meetings – or a combination of all of them. You will:

Participate in tailored, realistic interview scenarios
Work on issues relevant to your role and Council
Receive direct, expert feedback in real time

You’ll get focused attention and specific advice – not generic information.

THE DETAILS

When: Wednesday 26 August 2026

9am to 4pm

Where: Sydney CBD

Investment: $1190 ex GST

including lunch and refreshments

To register, submit your details below. We'll enrol you in the session and send you an invoice, which you can pay by credit card or through your Council's finance system.

A deeper dive into what you'll experience:

The secret to connecting strongly with your audience and engaging through story-telling – including getting the balance right between content and relatability
Essential skills that might surprise you for highly effective, authentic media interviews - whether live, pre-recorded, in-person or remote
A comprehensive toolkit for clear and confident delivery under pressure, including breathing, tone, pace, demeanour, voice, posture, steadiness, non-verbal communication, eye contact, what to wear
New approaches to be targeted and concise so you stay on track when the heat's on
Specific, proven techniques for managing difficult or negative questions in public environments
The absolute essentials for delivering sensitive messages or bad news without killing your Council’s reputation
Your must-have techniques for preparation, rehearsal and warm-up, for more effective interviews and public presentations

You'll walk away with proven frameworks and techniques that will completely shift your performance under pressure.

Your expert adviser - Dr Neryl East

Dr Neryl East is Australia’s leading authority on local government communication. She has extensive experience providing support and advice to council leaders.

After a career in television and radio, Neryl moved into senior council communication roles, including Manager Communication and Public Relations at Wollongong City Council and Media and Communications Manager at Shellharbour City Council.

Her other positions have included Head of Communications and Marketing at the Australian War Memorial and Manager External Relations at the University of Western Sydney.

Since establishing her own practice more than a decade ago, Neryl has provided strategic support to leaders from more than 40 councils nationwide. She convenes the Local Government Communication Professionals Network, comprising more than 1100 council communicators around Australia.

Neryl has also worked with senior leaders in other sectors. In 2020, she worked directly with the Chief of Defence, General Angus Campbell, to prepare for the public release of the Afghanistan Report on alleged war crimes by Australian SAS personnel.

Other clients have included:

Queensland Police Commissioner
Transport for NSW leaders
Senior executive of SES South Australia and NSW

Neryl has a PhD in Journalism and is a Certified Speaking Professional. She is the author of five books including an Amazon best-seller on media and reputation. In 2026 she was awarded Educator of the Year by Professional Speakers Australia.

What participants say about Neryl's advanced media and communication skills sessions:

“Thanks for sharing your wisdom, knowledge, experience and in particular your tailored tips. Great feedback from all our staff and Councillors involved.” – Anthony McMahon, CEO Bega Valley Shire Council

“I found it (the training) extremely beneficial and now feel confident to be the Council’s spokesperson across a range of issues. Neryl made me feel completely at ease, and I feel well equipped to tackle any situation with a balance of competence and character.” - Cr Tanya Taylor, Mayor of Willoughby

"Working with Neryl has taught me so much. I’m now so much more confident and other people have noticed the difference. I’m better prepared, speak more coherently and in a more reasoned and measured way. That’s a big change for me." - Cr Suzy Brandstater, Wollondilly Shire Council

"It was so engaging and valuable. I genuinely got a lot out of it." - Cr Ben Hooper, Deputy Mayor, Greater Hume Council

"I feel much more confident in understanding why I’m doing the interviews and staying clear on my key message throughout. It has also helped me feel more confident in staying the course and not getting caught up in the noise, by being defensive or blaming. Knowing we are being transparent and have a message to deliver, although a tough message at times. It’s been invaluable, thank you." - Eloise Chaplain, General Manager Narrabri Shire Council

“Thank you for your patient, professional and accomplished support. I have greatly valued your hard work and advice.” - General Angus Campbell AO DSC, Chief of the Defence Force

“In my many years of local government management, I’ve not come across anyone with the range of skills and experience that she offers.” – Michael Willis, former General Manager, Shellharbour City Council

Secure your place

If your local government role requires you to lead in the public eye, building your skills is not optional.

It's preparation for the moments that will define you as a leader and cement trust between your Council and community.