The Hills Shire Council’s Monthly Staff Newsletter
Financial strength
It’s lovely to step into spring, and already we are on our way to the end of the first quarter of the financial year.
The Finance and Corporate Strategy Group, in collaboration with other teams, has successfully wrapped up the 2024/25 financial year. Council has resolved to send our financial statements to audit, a significant achievement and one we’re wellregarded for across the industry.
Last year’s results were excellent, with a significant surplus that strengthens our future. Maintaining financial discipline ensures we can meet future needs independently.
Productivity, technology and change
There’s been growing conversation around Australia’s productivity challenges and how, if left unchanged, living standards will deteriorate. Council is no different, and there is a lot of buzz around about the influence of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing them. While new tech often comes with bold promises, it’s clear that innovation has always driven progress. Just think how much your role has evolved — can you remember working without a smartphone?
Change is inevitable, and improving how we work is essential. We need to position ourselves to be ready, and we will all need to learn new things as we
embrace the future. It will challenge us, but standing still isn’t an option. Change is inevitable, and we must be ready to adapt, learn, and improve. As community expectations rise, we need to stay ahead.
Using tech responsibly
Our approach to emerging technologies like AI is deliberate and cautious. Governance, safety, and privacy remain top priorities. That’s why the Executive, IT, and broader organisation are taking a methodical approach to ensure new tools like ChatGPT and Co-Pilot are used safely and appropriately. Please follow organisational policies and ask if you’re unsure, protecting data and privacy is everyone’s responsibility.
Celebrating OBF
This month also marks the return of our signature Orange Blossom Festival, and I want to acknowledge the incredible work our staff put into bringing this beloved celebration to life. From coordinating the OBF Parade at Rouse Hill Town Centre to supporting events like Taste of Wisemans, the Echoes – Luna Light Journeys at Bella Vista Farm, and the Annual Art Awards, your creativity and collaboration are making this year’s festival bigger and better than ever.
These events celebrate our region’s rich history and showcase the vibrant community spirit that defines The Hills.
As we move forward, let’s continue to lead with integrity, collaborate openly, and keep our residents at the heart of everything we do.
Michael Edgar General Manager
Friday 5 September is Jersey Day Staff are encouraged to wear their favourite sports jersey to support Jersey Day, raising awareness for organ donation. (Staff required to wear regulation gear must continue to do so.)
Jersey Day honours Nathan Gremmo, a 13-year-old sports fan whose decision to become an organ donor saved six lives. His family created Jersey Day to inspire conversations about organ donation.
Join us for a group photo at 11am in the Columbia Court courtyard (ground floor). The photo will be shared on Council’s social media, we’d love to see you there in your team colours!
HR & Wellbeing Corner
R U OK? Day –
Thursday 11
September 2025
This year’s theme, “Ask R U OK? Any Day”, reminds us that meaningful conversations can happen anytime.
Life’s ups and downs affect everyone, friends, family, colleagues, and checking in can make a real difference.
Research shows that being asked “Are you OK?” boosts wellbeing, and most people feel supported and cared for when someone genuinely asks. Even if you’re unsure how to start, your care matters, and you might already be having these conversations without realising.
2025-26 performance goals
Managers and Supervisors will soon start conversations with their employee about FY2025-26 performance goals. The goal setting process supports the achievement of the Hills Shire Plan and overall business objectives. This process provides employees with the opportunity to receive regular feedback, informal recognition, organisation-wide performance feedback, and opportunity to receive an incentive for the achievement of goals by way of annual organisational and individual bonus payments. We encourage employees who are eligible to participate to start thinking about their three individual goals for the year ahead in preparation for conversations with their managers/supervisors.
Mandatory training
When your mandatory e-learning modules are due to expire you will receive an email electronically generated from the Learning Hub (GO1) advising you that your mandatory e-learning training module is due to expire. Please ensure you complete your e-learning modules on expiry. The system will send a couple of follow up emails to you as a reminder.
The 4th performance goal is one of the elements within the individual bonus component. Per the requirements of EA6, you will need to achieve an 80% completion rate of assigned training.
2024-25 bonus payments
As your performance reviews and wellbeing check-ins have been finalised, the payroll team are now in the process of calculating the bonus payment for team members who met the criteria identified in EA6.
Individual Bonus: This bonus provides an opportunity for permanent employees to receive up to 2% of their individual annual Base Salary as an individual bonus. EA6 outlines 3 components within the individual bonus:
• Performance Bonus - 1%
• Attendance Bonus – 0.5%
• Safety/Improvement Bonus – 0.5%
Performance Bonus: For the 3 performance goals, employees will receive 0.25% for each performance goal with an assessment rating of > 3 or higher. For the 4th performance goal, employees who achieved an 80% (or higher) completion rate of assigned mandatory training will receive 0.25%.
Attendance Bonus: This bonus is paid based on an employee meeting the thresholds detailed in EA6 for annual leave (AL), sick leave (SL), contract special leave (CSL), variable leave (VL) and time in lieu (TIL).
Safety or Process Improvement Bonus: This bonus is determined based on demonstrated evidence provided by the employee to their Supervisor/Manager and as recorded in the Wellbeing & Performance Planning final appraisal.
Organisational Bonus: This bonus recognises the contribution of individual and team efforts towards achieving Council’s strategic direction. EA6 outlines 2 organisational bonus opportunities:
Safety Bonus: The goal for the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) was set at 7.5 or less. I am pleased to advise the LTIFR result for the FY2024-25 Bonus Year was 5.61. This is an excellent outcome and demonstrates that safety is a key priority. Importantly it shows that we support our injured team members back to suitable and meaningful work which in turn encourages and supports return to pre-injury work. The $1,000 Safety Bonus will be paid to employees who met the organisational eligibility criteria identified in EA6.
Service Delivery: I am pleased to confirm that Council achieved the Hills Shire Plan key performance indicators (KPIs) by 90% or more. The $1,000 Service Delivery bonus will be paid to employees who met the organisational eligibility criteria identified in EA6. Please see EA6 for further information and eligibility criteria.
Bonus payments achieved will be paid in the last full pay period in September.
IT NEWS
IT upgrade alert - say hello to
As part of our ongoing mission to modernise IT services and boost security, we’re rolling out Microsoft Intune across all Council-issued Windows PCs, both laptops and desktops.
Why the switch to Intune?
Microsoft Intune will:
• Unify device management under a modern Microsoft platform
• Strengthen security by keeping devices compliant with Council IT policies
• Simplify updates, OS and security patches will be delivered directly through Intune
What does this mean for you?
• Your apps and files will stay intact, no need to reinstall anything
• Software Centre will be replaced with the Company Portal for easier app access
• Updates will now come via Intune
• Only Council-issued devices will be able to access key systems like TechOne, Microsoft 365, and the N and U drives, keeping our data safe and secure
What do I need to do?
On the day your device is scheduled for migration:
• Please shut down your PC or laptop at the end of the day
• This helps ensure a smooth transition and allows updates to install overnight
Next Steps
We’ll notify you soon with your scheduled migration date. Keep an eye on your inbox!
Need help?
If you run into any issues after the migration, reach out to the IT Service Desk at itservicedesk@thehills.nsw.gov.au or raise a ticket via the Freshservice Portal.
Save energy, stay secure – power down daily
A friendly reminder to shut down your PC at the end of each workday. It’s a small habit that makes a big difference, helping your system run smoothly, saving energy, and making sure those all-important updates install overnight.
Thanks for doing your part to keep our tech environment secure, efficient, and well-rested!
PathwayUX update: latest version is ready for testing
The latest version of PathwayUX is now live in our Test environment and ready for you to explore.
A big shout out to our amazing System Champions who are currently putting the new release through its paces during User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Your feedback is invaluable!
If everything runs smoothly and no issues are found, we’re aiming to roll out the upgrade to Production in midSeptember.
Stay tuned, and thank you for helping us shape a better user experience!
CiA 2025b is coming
The latest version of CiA (2025b) is scheduled to land in our Test environment on 30 September!
Once it’s in place, our key users will jump into User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to make sure everything’s running smoothly. If all goes well, we’re aiming to go live in late October.
A huge thank you to everyone involved for your continued support and collaboration — we couldn’t do it without you!
Staff movements June/July 2025 - welcome and congratulations
Hui Sun
Andrea Rodriguez Admin Group Support Resource Recovery
Shirley Sahabu
Casual Community Support Worker, HCC
Elizabeth McCarthy Casual Community Support Worker, HCC
Davinder Kaur Casual Community Support Worker, HCC
Gillian Watson
Early childhood EducatorDiploma, Children’s Services
Casual Community Support Worker, HCC
George John
Casual Community Transport Bus Driver, HCC
Alicia Jenkins Principal CoordinatorForward Planning
Kayla Atkins Principal CoordinatorForward Planning
Kathleen Klinke Senior Customer Service Officer, Libraries
Rachael Damary Temporary PA to General Manager
Ryan Keith Team Leader - Civil Maintenance
Annie Hathaway
Personal Assistant to Executive Team (Temporary)
Best wishes to staff who departed Council during August.
Matthew Quigley Lifeguard
Jesse Sandeman
Bushland Maintenance Assistant
Dylan Nelson
Early Childhood Educator - Excelsior Child Care Centre
Manwela Vella Cook, Children’s Services
Hui Sun In Home Respite - Casual, HCC
Thomas Hoult Tradesman
ECM Essentials training - unlock your efficiency!
Your ECM experience is about to get a major upgrade. We’ve listened to your feedback and built a focused training course that tackles the most requested tips, tricks, and tools to help you work smarter in ECM.
What you’ll master:
• Declutter and navigate the document management tab
• Register right – emails, attachments and documents
• Capture conversations with virtual files
• Use My ECM, favourites and recents like a pro
• Add notes for clarity without changing content
• Relate documents for full context
• Version control – know when to upload
• Advanced search – find anything, fast
Training must be completed by Friday 28 November
• Saved views to manage your tasks with ease.
Why join?
• Because your time matters
• your documents deserve clarity
• and ECM should work for you.
Click here to secure your seat
Mandatory for ECM users* who commenced before April 2024
If you have any questions, please contact Almitra Hirst
* Please note: This training is specifically for staff who actively use ECM. If you do not use ECM in your role, you are not required to attend.
a day in the life of . . .
We
spent some time with Kate O’Donnell, Cemeteries Coordinator.
Kate, can you tell us about your role as Cemeteries Coordinator?
I’ve been coordinating our Castle Hill and Sackville cemeteries for the past decade. It’s a role that comes with unique challenges, no 2 days are ever the same. One phone call can change everything, turning a steady day into chaos depending on the issue I need to resolve.
You’re known for giving grieving families hand-crocheted hearts. What inspired you to do that?
I think it’s such a beautiful gesture to hand a grieving child, husband, wife, mother, father, or friend a little heart to hold, whether they’re choosing a site, attending a funeral, or just visiting after a burial. It’s a small token to let them know they’re not alone, and that someone genuinely cares and has empathy for their loss.
How did you get involved with the 1,000 Hearts project?
I started crafting these hearts as part of the 1,000 Hearts project, which is all about spreading kindness and comfort. With just a crochet hook, some yarn, and a lot of patience, I create each heart with love. It’s my way of stitching together broken hearts, one handmade token at a time.
What values guide your work?
When someone dies, they take nothing with them. All the things they worked so hard for during their lives become irrelevant. That’s why it’s so important to tell the people you love how much they mean to you, and to be kind and compassionate to others.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
“I’m grateful to be in a role where I can offer empathy and support when it’s needed most.”
Supporting families during such a vulnerable time and being able to offer comfort, even in small ways, s incredibly meaningful. Knowing I’ve made a difference, even if just by offering a smile or a heart, makes it all worthwhile.
Top right and middle: Castle Hill cemetery Bottom right: Kate with pocket hearts she has hand-crocheted to share with grieving families
Learning for Life
FAMILY HISTORY TALK
Castle Hill Library
Wednesday 10 September | 6pm - 7pm
Researching your family history can be interesting as you discover your heritage and learn about your ancestors. Join us and a representative from Museums of History NSW to discover the many ways to find your past!
FREE | Bookings Essential click here
For ADULTS
Library Health Month 2025
This September, we’ve partnered with Western Sydney Local Health District to provide the latest health and wellbeing information for you and your families. Explore our Library Health Month portal to join free NSW Health programs, learn tips to stay healthy, book your tickets to attend events and more! Click here for more information August 2025
What’s on in The Hills Libraries
BOOK OF THE MONTH
Heart Lamp: Selected Stories by
Banu Mushtaq
Our book of the month for September is the winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize. In the twelve stories of Heart Lamp, Banu Mushtaq captures the everyday lives of women and girls in Muslim communities in southern India.
Click here to reserve your copy
Kids Helpline Overview
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people ages 5 to 25.
• Kids Helpline offers ongoing crisis support, ongoing counselling and case management.
• Children and young people can access support via phone, webchat or My Circle (12
Kids Helpline Overview
Kids helpline is Australia’s only free, confidential 24/7 online phone and counselling services for
• Kids Helpline counsellors are tertiary trained in psychology, social work or counselling.
• Top concerns of calls received: emotional wellbeing, mental health concerns, suicide related concerns, family relationship issues, friend/peer relationships, self
Kids Helpline is Australia’s only free, confidential 24/7 online and phone counselling service for young people ages 5 to 25.
• Kids Helpline offers ongoing crisis support, ongoing counselling and case management.
• Children and young people can access support via phone, webchat or My Circle (12 – 25 years).
• Kids Helpline counsellors are tertiary trained in psychology, social work or counselling.
• Top concerns of calls received: emotional wellbeing, mental health concerns, suicide-related concerns, family relationship issues, friend/peer relationships, self-injury/self-harm concerns.
young people ages 5 to 25.
Community spirit in full bloom at National Tree Day
On Saturday 27 July, Council hosted a successful National Tree Day event at Cataract Road Reserve in Gables, Box Hill. The day saw an incredible turnout, with 116 enthusiastic volunteers coming together to plant 6,000 native trees and plants, helping to restore and beautify the local environment.
The Mayor and several Councillors also joined the event, showing their support and appreciation for the community’s efforts. Thanks to the strong teamwork and dedication of everyone involved, the day ran smoothly and was filled with a great sense of camaraderie.
A big thank you goes to the Lions Club of Castle Hill for their generous support and for providing a BBQ lunch for all the volunteers, a much-appreciated gesture that added to the day’s success.
Shaylah Morgan – Group Support Officer, Forward Planning
The Forward Planning Team would like to give a big shout-out to Shaylah Morgan for the incredible work she does every day as our Group Support Officer.
Since joining Council in late 2023, Shaylah has consistently gone above and beyond her role, making a meaningful impact on both the way our team operates and how we connect with one another. Her dedication behind the scenes ensures everything runs smoothly, but it’s her thoughtful and caring approach that truly sets her apart.
From regularly checking in with team members to organising our much-loved monthly birthday teas, Shaylah brings warmth, fun, and a genuine sense of community to the workplace. These small but powerful gestures help build team spirit and create a positive environment where everyone feels supported.
It’s easy to overlook how much time and energy goes into these small but meaningful gestures and we want Shaylah to know—they never go unnoticed. T Shaylah helps build team spirit, keeps us connected, and brings a sense of fun and kindness to each workday.
Thank you, Shaylah, for all that you do, your contributions are truly appreciated!
NOMINATE NOW!
Nominations should include name of the nominee(s) and their team and a short blurb (max 100 words) about why they deserve a ‘shout out’.
Email your nominations to: nvanders@thehills.nsw.gov.au
Crafting connections at our Long Day Care Centres
Our Council Long Day Care Centres have recently welcomed a wave of creativity thanks to our wonderful new friends at The Hills Men’s Shed. Their talented members have generously crafted a range of bespoke wooden resources for our children—each piece made with skill, heart, and countless hours of dedication.
From tables and chairs to bag lockers, toy boards, and shoelace boards designed to help little hands master tying skills, every item reflects a strong spirit of care and craftsmanship.
The Hills Men’s Shed is a shining example of community in action—bringing people together to share skills, build friendships, and foster wellbeing through meaningful projects. The joy these contributions have sparked in our Centres is a testament to the Shed’s impact.
Check out the photos to see the incredible creations and meet some of the team who brought them to life at the Castle Hill Shed.
