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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