Whyalla's Jenny Barnes talks tourism, teamwork and taking opportunities

When Jenny Barnes reflects on her extensive local government career, she jokes that it makes her "feel really old".

But after more than three decades working with the City of Whyalla – including time as both a council employee and an elected member – she’s earned a perspective few people in the sector can match.

"I've got a really well-rounded knowledge of local government because of that experience. I've seen it through both lenses,” Jenny says.

After working for City of Whyalla for 19 years, Jenny left to take up a position at SA Health.

During that time, she successfully nominated for council and served as an elected member for four years, including a term as Deputy Mayor, before returning as a staff member in 2018.

"Despite working for council previously, it was still a really steep learning curve to actually be on that other side and to be an elected member," she says.

"It was great to be part of that decision-making process at a strategic level."

That experience continues to shape the way Jenny approaches her current role as City of Whyalla’s Events and Tourism Lead – a portfolio she describes as her “first career love”, having also spent time previously in the council’s Human Resources, Media and Communications, and Governance teams

"I think it gives me a real advantage," Jenny says. "I have a really great understanding of how everything works within council – the challenges that come along, and the opportunities."

Today, Jenny leads tourism initiatives that help showcase Whyalla to visitors from across Australia and beyond.

One major focus is Cuttlefest – Whyalla's signature tourism event celebrating the annual gathering of giant Australian cuttlefish in the waters near Point Lowly.

While Cuttlefest usually transforms a traditionally quiet tourism period into Whyalla’s busiest seasons, this year will look a little different.

With low Cuttlefish numbers showing up so far, the State Government, with full support from the council, has introduced an exclusion zone to protect the current population and maximise their chances of survival and breeding for future seasons.

Despite this downturn, Jenny says Whyalla has so much else to offer from a tourism perspective and encourages everyone to make a trip and see for themselves.

“While the low cuttlefish numbers this year are unfortunate, we’re still celebrating these incredible creatures and educating tourists and locals on their uniqueness through a host of land-based Cuttlefest activities,” Jenny says.

“Our city also has so many other incredible natural and man-made wonders that people all over the world can visit and enjoy.

“Whether it’s dolphins and seals, taking a walk along the only circular jetty in the southern hemisphere, stunning sunsets, or award-winning tours of our iconic steelworks, there is so much to see and do in Whyalla.

“Our dedicated council teams put a lot of effort into promoting everything Whyalla has to offer and ensuring every stay is an enjoyable and memorable one.”

Integral to promoting the region is City of Whyalla’s award-winning Visitor Information Centre, which took out the Visitor Information Services category at the South Australian Tourism Awards last November.

For Jenny and her team – who are still riding the highs of the win – preparing the award nomination proved to be a valuable exercise in reflection.

"Normally you're just so busy, you're doing one thing and then you finish it and you get on to another," Jenny says.

"But the fact we had to stop and pause and look back on our achievements over the last 12 months so that we could include them in our submission, it was a really worthwhile thing to do."

Underpinning the win was the council’s decision to purchase its own branded tour bus, helping support the centre's growing tourism operations.

Unlike many other visitor centres, Whyalla's staff don't just provide information to travellers – they also act as tour guides and storytellers, leading tours of local attractions including the iconic HMAS Whyalla and the city's steelworks.

"We're really different," Jenny says. "We're not your traditional kind of visitor centre model.

"When we won, I was so happy that I actually cried. It was just such a proud moment. I was just so proud of the team and everything that we've achieved so far."

More recently, the accolades for the Visitor Centre team have kept coming, also taking out the Excellence in Customer Service or Experience Award at the LG Professionals SA Annual Leadership Excellence Awards in May.

For Jenny, that collaborative spirit and sharing the wins with her colleagues reflects one of the things she enjoys most about local government.

"I really like the fact that every day is different," she says. "There's always something new. There's always a different project happening."

Whether it's launching City of Whyalla’s new online camping booking system, working with the team on major events like Cuttlefest, or developing tourism experiences, no two weeks are the same.

"I like the way that you can shape your own world," Jenny says.

"A lot of these things, we don't have established processes and you're actually creating those as you go along. So, you're mapping out your own process and your own outcomes.

“That balance of challenge and creativity is enormously rewarding.”

But just as important, Jenny says, is the support that comes from working within a council team.

"You're never alone. There's always a team to support you,” she says.

“We're kind of like a big family at council and everyone's really generous in sharing their time and their expertise.

"The opportunities are pretty much endless in local government. All you need is an open mind, a community focus and a willingness to give anything a go.”