Reflections from Board Director, Mel Hagedorn
The session opened with a warm welcome from Deputy Mayor, Councillor Karlo Perkov, who was later joined by the Mayor, Mark Irwin, creating a generous and supportive tone for the morning.
Around 50 participants began by discovering their engager type and then moving into rich conversations about their early aspirations, how they found their way into engagement, and the biggest challenges and opportunities they see emerging in the coming years. The room was lively, reflective and full of generosity as people shared their personal pathways into the profession.
Panel Reflections
Our panel provided thoughtful insight into the realities and pressures influencing engagement across Western Australia.
A recurring theme was the balance between the emotional and rational dimensions of our work. Communities increasingly expect personalised and responsive service, yet local governments cannot offer the choice or flexibility of commercial providers. This requires stronger relationship building, clearer communication and a more transparent explanation of constraints.
Alyce highlighted the importance of building capability beyond traditional training. She noted that practitioners increasingly require complementary skills such as behavioural insight, conflict navigation, strategic storytelling and organisational diplomacy in order to sustain a credible and resilient profession.
Amy emphasised that engagement must be part of an ongoing conversation rather than a series of transactions. Her research shows that communities may be asked to participate more than one hundred times a year. This points to the need for better coordination, less duplication and deeper conversations that allow communities to influence outcomes more meaningfully.
The panel also acknowledged the growing fatigue experienced by both communities and staff. As misinformation and disinformation continue to escalate, strong relationships with communities become essential. These relationships give councils the trust and credibility needed to address emerging concerns early and with confidence.
James reflected on the principle of reciprocity, drawing on the concept of Kirikiri as an example of giving more than we receive. By approaching engagement with generosity, warmth and respect, organisations help create a sense of shared identity, belonging and trust. While not always easy in practice, it is a mindset that can transform the tone and quality of community relationships.
The City of Cockburn’s youth engagement framework was also recognised as a standout example, particularly in the context of restricted access to social media for young people in the near future. The approach demonstrates how thoughtful design can sustain youth participation in an increasingly complex environment.
We would like to thank the City of Stirling and the City of Swan for hosting the event. The hospitality was outstanding, the food was impressive, and the conversation was just as insightful. It was a pleasure to bring the sector together and we look forward to seeing you at future Engagement Institute events.
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This reflection piece was provided by Engagement Institute Board Director, Mel Hagedorn, following the recent Perth Local Networking Event on Tuesday, 18 November 2025.
