Ms Fox said early indications from a staff survey show the event was ‘‘very well received’’.
The two-day forum was held at the Deniliquin RSL Club on May 8 and 9 and was attended by about 160 Intereach staff, many of whom travelled from out of town.
The forums are designed to bring staff together for learning, development and team capacity building and include mandatory workplace training sessions.
‘‘Judging from the survey, staff certainly got a lot out of the two days, which is really pleasing given this was our first attempt at such a large-scale event,’’ Ms Fox said.
‘‘There was a lot of positive energy at the forum sessions and our dinner on the Wednesday night, and staff from different offices were able to meet face to face and mingle across the two days.
‘‘Certainly there are things we can improve on for our next forum in Shepparton in June, but overall, considering it was our first attempt, we were very pleased with how it went. It’s a credit to our staff members who organised it and to all the staff who attended and brought with them such great energy and interest.
‘‘I’d also like to recognise the Deni RSL Club staff for their efforts in hosting and catering for the event and the many accommodation places who had staff staying overnight — it was a job well done and once again shows Deni’s capabilities in hosting events such as these.’’
Edward River Council Deputy Mayor Pat Fogarty opened the forum and attended a mandatory training session and the evening dinner.
Cr Fogarty, who is also the chair of the Intereach board, praised the organisation’s senior leadership team for ‘‘pulling together such a wonderful event’’.
She said it highlighted what the organisation is capable of in regards to professional development for its staff.
‘‘It’s a big job bringing together this many staff from around the Intereach footprint and from what I saw the forum ran relatively seamlessly.
‘‘Staff seemed to get a lot out of the mandatory training sessions and workshops which can only benefit their own development, the organisation as a whole and the many people who use Intereach’s services.
‘‘It was a job well done and I look forward to seeing how these forums evolve and develop into the future.’’
Intereach staff travelled from Albury, Bendigo, Cootamundra, Corowa, Echuca, Finley, Griffith, Hay, Mildura, Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill, Wagga and Kyneton to join local staff at the forum.
Those who travelled were greeted with ‘Deni welcome packs’ at their accommodation, which included a Deni Visitor Guide and some Deni Ute Muster merchandise amongst other things.
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