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Land Council, gave us a 20-minute presentation.

You could see by some people’s body language

that it was challenging their perceptions.’ Ben

Tan from KPMG organised a similar work trip to

an Indigenous organisation. ‘I brought a group of

15 colleagues out to Goulburn Murray to visit the

Rumbalara Football Club so they could see for

themselves and understand the types of projects

the club is doing in community.’

Secondees influenced work colleagues through

presentations or informal conversations. An

APS secondee surveyed in the APSC evaluation

conducted in 2014 commented: ‘I delivered

presentations across the agency to build

understanding of the realities of life in remote

Indigenous communities.’ Renee Schick reflected:

‘It’s about busting those old stereotypes. I know

people in my professional circles have been

surprised when I’ve talked about the positive

impact the Indigenous groups I was exposed to

had on the community.’

Secondees and executives also encouraged or

supported colleagues to get involved in Indigenous

affairs. Chris Simpson, formerly of KPMG, said he

was inspired to go on a Jawun secondment after he

was told by colleagues that it was ‘an unbelievably

eye-opening experience, very unique. Everyone

said it was the best thing they’d done at KPMG,

which was enough to convince me’.

Bonnie Carter has noticed former Jawun secondees

‘talking to their peers and getting them involved

too. It’s like this big ripple effect of all these people

becoming more involved’.

We all have the desire that Indigenous

Australian children face a bright future.

That desire is, for many people,

accompanied by a feeling of

powerlessness, but those who belong

to the growing Jawun alumni have

knowledge and connections

so we can work towards that goal.

ALAN TUDGE,

ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER

Secondees and Executive Visit participants

who hold positions of authority or influence can

influence broader society

through advocacy in

their roles, whether by shaping public opinion

through the media or reaching audiences through

government and industry platforms. Those in public

service roles can inform and influence the delivery

of policies and programs that have broad effect.

Chatting around the campfire at the North East Arnhem Land Executive Visit, 2014.

Photo: Daniel Linnet, Linnet Foto

A GROWING RIPPLE EFFECT 55