If you’ve ever called or visited Brighton Council, there’s a good chance you’ve been assisted by one of our dedicated customer service team. At the heart of that team are Gemma and Jandy—two caring and knowledgeable staff members passionate about helping the Brighton community.

Gemma joined the Council nearly three years ago after returning from maternity leave, while Jandy came on board shortly after, seeking a new direction following 17 years in hospitality management.

Now at Council, Gemma and Jandy interact with Brighton residents daily—whether in person, on the phone, or by email. They assist residents with anything from understanding their rates, to taking payments for dog registrations, and answering questions about hard rubbish collection or where to find information on the website. They occasionally have to clarify that callers have reached Brighton in Tasmania, not Victoria.

While most interactions are pleasant, they do come across some people who are feeling frustrated and who take that frustration out on them. In those situations, they want people to know they are doing their best to help. The Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) recently launched a ‘Lift the Tone’ campaign calling on all Tasmanians to commit to respectful communication with staff and elected members.

In addition to front counter service, Jandy works behind the scenes managing emails, coordinating bin requests and approvals, and helping oversee the transition to a digital records system. Meanwhile, Gemma also supports the finance team by processing invoices and handling hall hire charges and lease payments.

Both agree that the best part of working at Brighton Council is the supportive, family-friendly culture. As busy mums of two, they appreciate the flexibility and understanding that comes with the role—and the sense of community they experience each day.

For many residents, Gemma and Jandy are the first point of contact with Council, and they take pride in making every interaction a helpful and positive one.