The 2021 ‘Premier’s Excellence Awards and Address’ celebrated outstanding achievements within the South Australia Public Sector, this year particularly showcasing the exceptional efforts during the state’s emergency response. During this event the Hon. Steven Marshall also delivered his address to the public sector, sharing more on the state’s COVID-19 recovery and how we can all move forward with purpose.
The event was MCd by Commissioner Erma Ranieri PSM FIPAA who shared her enthusiasm and praise for how our public sector rose to the challenges of recent times.
“My number one task today is to acknowledge and thank the public service in South Australia for the outstanding job they have done with those three – major, very impactful events that have hit our state”
The Hon. Steven Marshall noted some of the extraordinary circumstances that we found ourselves in during late 2019 and 2020, with first the devastating bushfires in both Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills and then a subsequent global pandemic. He shared his pride in the public sector’s response to these challenges, as well as the fact that trust in our government is at an all-time high.
Premier Marshall shared that the exemplary efforts of the sector have enabled our state to move forward economically and socially and that “we now have more people employed and we have more wages paid now than pre Coronavirus”. He also highlighted some of the many examples of the ways in which our sector has moved with greater adaptability and mobility, such as in the delivery of education throughout 2020.
The State’s budget for recovery was also explored during his address, with the Premier sharing his enthusiasm for the largest infrastructure spend in the history of the state – providing a needed boost to jobs and the economy. Affordable housing, school development and investment in innovative projects were other areas that were also highlighted as key in our recovery.
Finally, Premier Marshall shared some of the reforms that had come about as a result of the previous ‘I Work for SA Your Voice Survey’. The results of this survey saw an improved emphasis on nurturing Indigenous leadership in the public sector, as well as increasing the number of indigenous people employed in the sector. With the latest YourVoice survey launching after on Tuesday, 27 April , the Premier encouraged all state government employees to take part and share their opinions.
On behalf of IPAA SA and our Divisional Council we would like to offer our congratulations to the outstanding winners and finalists. The whole of the SA public service has gone above any beyond during these challenging times and we hope that everyone across the sector can take away a sense of pride and accomplishment in what has been acheived.
Recognises an individual or team’s exemplary service to the community of South Australia. Their program, service or initiative has had a far-reaching, positive impact.
Recognises an individual or team’s exemplary service to the community of South Australia in an emergency. Their program, service or initiative has had a far-reaching, positive impact.
Recognises an individual or team’s demonstration of the South Australian public sector values in their service delivery.
The 2021 ‘Premier’s Excellence Awards and Address’ celebrated outstanding achievements within the South Australia Public Sector, this year particularly showcasing the exceptional efforts during the state’s emergency response. During this event the Hon. Steven Marshall also delivered his address to the public sector, sharing more on the state’s COVID-19 recovery and how we can all move forward with purpose.
The event was MCd by Commissioner Erma Ranieri PSM FIPAA who shared her enthusiasm and praise for how our public sector rose to the challenges of recent times.
“My number one task today is to acknowledge and thank the public service in South Australia for the outstanding job they have done with those three – major, very impactful events that have hit our state”
The Hon. Steven Marshall noted some of the extraordinary circumstances that we found ourselves in during late 2019 and 2020, with first the devastating bushfires in both Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills and then a subsequent global pandemic. He shared his pride in the public sector’s response to these challenges, as well as the fact that trust in our government is at an all-time high.
Premier Marshall shared that the exemplary efforts of the sector have enabled our state to move forward economically and socially and that “we now have more people employed and we have more wages paid now than pre Coronavirus”. He also highlighted some of the many examples of the ways in which our sector has moved with greater adaptability and mobility, such as in the delivery of education throughout 2020.
The State’s budget for recovery was also explored during his address, with the Premier sharing his enthusiasm for the largest infrastructure spend in the history of the state – providing a needed boost to jobs and the economy. Affordable housing, school development and investment in innovative projects were other areas that were also highlighted as key in our recovery.
Finally, Premier Marshall shared some of the reforms that had come about as a result of the previous ‘I Work for SA Your Voice Survey’. The results of this survey saw an improved emphasis on nurturing Indigenous leadership in the public sector, as well as increasing the number of indigenous people employed in the sector. With the latest YourVoice survey launching after on Tuesday, 27 April , the Premier encouraged all state government employees to take part and share their opinions.
On behalf of IPAA SA and our Divisional Council we would like to offer our congratulations to the outstanding winners and finalists. The whole of the SA public service has gone above any beyond during these challenging times and we hope that everyone across the sector can take away a sense of pride and accomplishment in what has been acheived.
Recognises an individual or team’s exemplary service to the community of South Australia. Their program, service or initiative has had a far-reaching, positive impact.
Recognises an individual or team’s exemplary service to the community of South Australia in an emergency. Their program, service or initiative has had a far-reaching, positive impact.
Recognises an individual or team’s demonstration of the South Australian public sector values in their service delivery.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the latest IPAA SA survey, which asked respondents, ‘What are the Opportunities for 2021?’. Below we highlight some of the responses from this survey – sharing a sunny outlook for 2021.
How positive do you feel about 2021 as a year of change and opportunity?
On average, respondents felt quite positively about 2021, providing a 64% confidence rating that 2021 would bring about opportunities for change and growth.
Many respondents felt that this sense of confidence came from the public sector’s demonstrated capability to band together and overcome tough challenges and that 2020 was a prime example of the public sector working at its best.
Has COVID-19 affected your career priorities and goals for the future?
92% of respondents shared that their career priorities and goals have changed in the wake of COVID-19, with many taking the opportunity to think about positive changes to work-life balance. Many have found a renewed sense of purpose in the work they are doing within the sector and hope to see positive changes to work culture continue.
What do you think will be the key opportunities for the SA public Sector in 2021?
82% of respondents agreed that ‘exploring the “future of work” and how the workplace has rapidly changed’ will be a key opportunity for the sector to explore. It was proven that the sector can work rapidly and adaptively to make large-scale changes to seemingly long-ingrained practices almost overnight. Respondents are eager to not lose this heightened responsiveness as we enter the ‘new normal’.
Putting a renewed focus on mental health and support was also noted by 67% of respondents to be an opportunity for this year and beyond as we look to new ways to support mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
What can IPAA SA do to support you in 2021?
Respondents are eager for IPAA SA to help them explore the “post-COVID world” and to examine what the future of public service will look like in 2021 and beyond. From us, at IPAA SA, we can say that “we hear you loud and clear”, we look forward to bringing you new opportunities to engage in events and resources that will support you in this area.
It was also shared by respondents that many would benefit from being able to access on-demand live training from IPAA SA. Hearing from respondents located regionally, we understand that this can often feel isolating, and we look forward to using new virtual capabilities to engage you in IPAA learning, no matter where you are located.
If you have any comments you would like to add or if you have ideas on how IPAA SA can support you, please contact us.
The outstanding service and contribution of Erma Ranieri has been recognised in the Australia Day 2021 Honours list with a Public Service Medal.
As Commissioner for Public Sector Employment at the Office of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment with the South Australian Government Erma has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to shaping the future of South Australia’s public sector by driving sector-wide reform.
Erma is a strong advocate for diversity and gender equality in leadership in the public sector, and she challenges barriers to drive innovative, collaborative and connected services for the South Australian community.
The citation accompanying her Meritorious Service Award reads “for outstanding public service to people management, and to public sector reform, in South Australia”.
IPAA South Australia Vice President and Chief Executive of the Department of Treasury and Finance David Reynolds said:
“Erma embodies the public service values through her commitment to the people who work within it. This award is well deserved recognition for her leadership and drive for reform.”
Erma Ranieri is the IPAA South Australia President, a long-serving member of IPAA’s National Council, and a National Fellow.
Even in the midst of these challenging times, it’s vital to keep looking forward. IPAA SA is dedicated to supporting you in your work in the South Australian public sector, which is why the IPAA SA Team and Divisional Council are proud to present our Strategic Plan for 2020-23.
Over the next two years IPAA SA will continue in our ongoing aim of ‘supporting the public sector’, and through consultation with our members, we have identified 4 key areas that we will grow in. These four areas, include a strong focus on learning from the challenges of 2019 and 2020, from the bushfires that ravaged our state, to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We are privileged to be working with a public sector that has risen, above and beyond in meeting these challenges, and with the future insight, we hope to leverage these opportunities to support the public sector in whatever new challenges may emerge.
As we exist solely for our members and to best serve the needs of the public sector your input is essential in implementing our Strategic Plan. We hope that you will contribute by sharing your input in a short survey.