IPAA Northern Territory recently hosted the 2022 Hawkes Oration, “Indigenous co-design: opportunities, challenges and risks”, which was delivered by Professor Ruth Wallace, Dean of the College of Indigenous Futures, Education & the Arts and Director of the Northern Institute at Charles Darwin University.

The Hawkes Oration is named after and honours long-serving IPAA NT President, David Hawkes, who made a significant contribution to the work of the IPAA NT, and also played a major role in the development of public administration in the Territory.

IPAA is delighted to announce Professor Renée Leon PSM FIPAA, Vice-Chancellor and President of Charles Sturt University has taken on the role of IPAA National President effective 1 July 2022. Her expertise in leadership, extensive experience in Commonwealth and State public administration and ongoing commitment to IPAA positions her to assume this important role.

On Thursday 23 June 2022, IPAA hosted the inaugural Frances Adamson Oration, to mark United Nations Public Service Day. The Oration, supported by Boston Consulting Group, was delivered by Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, who reflected on and celebrated the critical role played by the public service and the institutional and individual integrity, resilience, and challenges in the service.

Having accepted the role of Secretary for Public Sector Reform, I will be stepping down as National President of IPAA on 30 June 2022. I have been honoured to serve as President, speaking as a voice for the public sector across Australia and promoting the value of public service. It has been a pleasure to work with IPAA Divisions and staff on initiatives that have strengthened the focus and professionalism of the organisation.

Congratulations to Dr Damian West, the ACT Government’s Deputy Director-General, Workforce Capability and Governance, IPAA ACT Councillor and IPAA National Secretary, for being awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) in the Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours List.

Australia is mourning the loss of John ‘JR’ Nethercote, who passed away in early May 2022 at the age of 74.

A renowned political historian, public servant and expert on government administration and parliament, John was known amongst his many friends and colleagues as an outgoing, exuberant character, who was generous with his time and expertise. John had an unquenchable desire to learn and to be better informed.

IPAA is delighted to announce a new annual oration to be named after Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia and delivered on the United Nations Public Service Day.

Kenneth Norman Jones AO CBE passed away on 19 January, aged 97. A Commonwealth public servant for 44 years, he was instrumental in guiding and implementing the policies of successive governments that led to Commonwealth involvement at all levels of Australia’s education system.

The vast majority of public servants behave respectfully and civilly to their colleagues. But the surveys show bullying is significantly more widespread than codes of conduct or workers’ compensation claims suggest. Dr Gordon de Brouwer explores bullying and harassment in public sector workplaces across Australia.

Emeritus Professor Roger Wettenhall AM passed away on 20 January 2022. An academic with a fervent passion for the study and practice of public administration in Australia, Roger was integral to the formation of a national IPAA body, and the administration of IPAA’s activities. His commitment to the growth of IPAA as a vibrant and valuable institution that serves its members and the wider public sector will not be forgotten.