Sue Smith
Children’s Services Program Coordinator
Department – Family Services
Directorate – Community Services
Always on the run, Sue began her career in childcare in the private sector. She moved to the City of Whittlesea as a field worker in family day care and is now in her eighth year at Council working as a Children’s Services Program Coordinator. She remains passionate about helping local families.
Sue is responsible for coordinating the Children’s Services unit which involves working with Council and the community on a range of early years programs. One of her current major projects includes participating, as the lead agent, in a consortium of neighbouring councils to build the capacity of child care services in the region.
Sue has spent 14 years in the family day care sector which has led to her being elected to the position of President of Family Day Care Victoria. In this role, Sue represents and advocates for family day care services across Victoria.
With such a diverse role, there’s much to love about her job including the people, diverse challenges and flexibility of the role.
Sue loves problem solving. With over 50 per cent of local residents from a non-English speaking background, she says one of the challenging and rewarding aspects of her job is helping families from different cultural backgrounds, some of which are new migrants, to access important community services such as childcare.
"I am very busy. I have six children and three grandchildren and it’s always been important to me to work at a place where I could balance my family and work commitments and the City of Whittlesea has supported me in this regard.
"The other thing that I love about working here is Council’s commitment to supporting the professional development of staff. One of the most exciting parts of my job has been travelling to the United States for an international conference. I have been able to work with and learn from my counterparts both nationally and internationally."
