Council manager secures national ICT award

Sunshine Coast Council IT professional Ann Yardley has been awarded a premier Federal Government award, taking out the ICT Professional of the Year gong at the 2015 Australian Government ICT Awards held in Sydney.

Acting Council CEO Ray Turner said Ms Yardley was recognised as an accomplished professional.

“Ann commenced her IT career 16 years ago, and is currently the manager of the Business Solutions and Strategy Unit within Council’s ICTS branch,” Mr Turner said.

“Combined with her leadership style, strategic insight, and application of modern digital technology, Ann has inspired an agile and innovative culture ensuring an effective interface between the ICTS and all areas of our organisation.”

Council’s Chief Information Officer Brian Beswick said Ms Yardley had played a significant role during multiple changes in Council’s IT branch through amalgamation and the Noosa de-amalgamation processes, all of which presented major challenges in IT structures.

“Ann’s tenacity and problem-solving capacities have proved enormously helpful in what are exciting yet challenging new times for Sunshine Coast Council as technology and information platforms rapidly evolve,” Mr Beswick said.

“With this award, Ann has brought great honour to our department and to Council itself, branding us a leader in government-based ICTS operations.”

Ms Yardley said she was “extremely humbled just to be nominated” for the award.

“Being named as ICT Professional of the Year was such a wonderful surprise and honour,” she said.

“I believe a leader is only as good as their team and with that in mind I would like to acknowledge the awesomely talented, committed, and supportive team and CIO I work with.

“This award is as much about them as it is me.”

Council was embracing innovations in ICT, resulting in it winning numerous awards, Ms Yardley said.

“With projects like the SCC Disaster Hub being nominated in the Excellence in e-Government Award and the Development Approval Reports recently winning the Innovation Category of the QLD Local Government Management Australia Awards, it is great to be a part of this workplace,” she said.

During February’s Cyclone Marcia disaster activation period the Disaster Hub received a huge 291,588 page hits, managing them well and informing the community on a wide range of information and advice.