Shari - Acting Operations Manager
A proud legacy: How Shari is shaping her leadership and remarkable career at Redland City Council
If you’ve ever visited our IndigiScapes Centre, you’ve probably been warmly welcomed by Shari. Our enthusiastic Acting Operations Manager spreads joy wherever she goes. With an impressive list of achievements, this emerging young leader is doing Redland City Council and her family’s legacy proud.
Community, commitment and care
Shari's role at our IndigiScapes Centre means so much more to her than a job. It is a loving tribute to her family’s proud history with Redland City Council.
Since joining us in 2015, Shari’s career has grown in leaps and bounds. From Hospitality Attendant to Business Support Officer (and many roles in between), this young Indigenous leader has embraced every opportunity to learn and grow. And it all began with her father’s gentle encouragement.
“My dad worked at Redland City Council for 25 years,” Shari says proudly. “Dad was an inspiration to me. He loved Redland City Council and always sent me Council job ads. He was so proud when I got a job at RCC. My younger sister and my brother work here, too. It’s a bit of a family affair!”
Shari’s father has since passed away, but his commitment to his community lives on in his daughter. Each day, Shari brings her passion, care and can-do attitude to IndigiScapes, Redland City Council’s unique environmental education centre. Born and bred on Queensland’s stunning Redlands Coast, Shari values the opportunity to contribute to the special community she grew up in.
“IndigiScapes really is a unique place. From the moment I joined the Council, I knew this was where I wanted to be, and I got the support I needed to make that happen.”
Varied work and opportunities to grow
Shari is involved in every aspect of IndigiScapes: the botanic gardens, native nursery, gift shop, cafe, theatrette and conference facilities, just to name a few. She thrives on the variety, which has helped her step up from her usual role of Business Support Officer to Acting Operations Manager.
At Redland City Council, Shari has upskilled with secondments in Development Control, the Facility Services Unit, Redland Performing Arts Centre, and Workplace Health and Safety. She’s also achieved her Certificate III in Business Administration.
“Redland City Council has been very supportive of my development,” Shari says. “There is definitely a culture of opportunity here.”
Shari - whose family hails from the Awabakal people of the NSW Hunter Region - was identified early for her budding leadership skills. In 2019, she joined other upcoming leaders from across Australia at the Queensland Indigenous Youth Leadership Program. She has also participated in Redland City Council’s Mates to Manager program, which helped her transition into management roles.
Humble and hardworking, Shari’s proudest moment was when she won the 2020 Redland City Council CEO and Mayor Award for Growth.
“That was just a beautiful moment. I’m not someone who needs a lot of recognition, but that was special. It goes to show your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.”
The sky’s the limit
As Shari looks to the future, she’s excited about broadening her horizon even further at Redland City Council. And if you’re considering applying for a role with us? Shari’s advice is simple: go for it!
“There’s so much opportunity here. If you decide you’d like to try something new, you can. You don’t have to leave to gain new experiences or take on a different role. You just need to be willing to show up and do your best.”