In Round 1, 2020 Kristen Robinson from the Department for Veterans Affairs worked closely with Moorundi staff, community and leaders to develop an initial proposal for the concept. With the impact of border closures and lockdowns due to COVID-19, Kristen returned to the ACT to complete her secondment virtually. Kristen grew her experience in planning and executing a project and presenting to external stakeholders, while gaining fantastic insight into the Ngarrinjderi community. Of her time with Moorundi, Kristen commented:

“This has been a truly incredible opportunity. Although it has been cut short a little and been disrupted [due to COVID], I believe the things I have seen and heard will change both me, and the way I do my job, forever.”

Using the My Jawun platform, Phil Layton (Australian Taxation Office) joined Moorundi as a virtual secondee in August 2020. Phil expanded upon Moorundi’s concept proposal, integrating key data to build a strong case supporting the anticipated positive impact of the centre on the community’s health, wellbeing, connectedness, and economic opportunities. During his secondment, Phil gained insight and connection to the Ngarridnjeri Nation’s aspirations, reflecting:

”I can take my experience into my current job and perform better. The secondment had a great effect on my self-worth – I felt I was contributing to something worthwhile with a positive community impact.”

In early 2021, Jayson Bricknell (Westpac) joined the Moorundi team as a part-time virtual secondee for 12 weeks. Building upon Kristen and Phil’s work, Jayson focused on developing a Strategic Plan which recognised the changing needs of community and the flexibility required to allow for growth and ongoing support of staff members. Jayson and Steven developed an excellent rapport, working with the whole staff group to shape the new plan, which was endorsed by the Moorundi Board just prior to the end of Jayson’s secondment. Of this process, Steven commented:

”The Strategic Plan developed in partnership between Board, Senior Executive and Staff truly reflects the future direction of Moorundi from a Strategic and Operational Level. Input at all levels has allowed the Strategic Plan to implement necessary processes and protocols to drive the direction of Moorundi from past failures and successes and now reflects current outcomes and deliverables.”

In Round 2 2021, Moorundi were fortunate to have Arnjali Amarasingham (Services Australia) as one of the first secondees back in place in the Lower River Murray region. Arnjali worked closely with the staff to develop a future-proofed team structure endorsed by the Board. To assist the team with this transition, Arnjali developed a ‘toolbox’ of ideas, templates, and activities, with a focus on supporting a positive and future-focussed organisational culture. Following Arnjali’s secondment, Barrie Paynter (SA Government, Education) and Heather Rogers (SA Government, Treasury & Finance) continued the work on Moorundi’s team structure in Round 3 2021, with a particular focus on leadership roles and responsibilities.

In Round 4 2021, the focus returned to the Master Plan, with Ben Weidenhofer (SA Government, Trade & Investment) and Peter Buckingham (Westpac) completing in-place secondments to transform the document into a portfolio of resources designed to enhance Moorundi’s vision for the new centre – focussing on the health, wellbeing, cultural practice, employment and economic opportunities for the Ngarrindjeri Nation. The impressive suite of collateral developed will be used to excite and engage community, stakeholders, and potential funders in the development of the Health, Business and Cultural Centre. Of both Peter and Ben’s secondment, Steven highlighted:

“Everything Peter and Ben have done will contribute to significantly shaping the future in a positive manner. The HBC Centre must be the basis for creating systemic change that will lead to sustainable economic opportunities in the future for Ngarrindjeri.”