What do bushfires, TikTok, and police comms have in common?

For Kendall Masters, they’ve each shaped a sharp, no-nonsense approach to government communication.

In this episode, she joins David Pembroke to unpack what it really takes to build trust, cut through the noise, and connect with the public — especially when time and attention are in short supply.

Kendall shares lessons in agility, authenticity, and strategic clarity, from rolling out TikTok with Victoria Police to managing emergency comms during the 2019–20 bushfires and COVID-19. They explore the limits of video, the myth of reach-for-the-sake-of-it, and why good reporting is about more than numbers — it’s about telling the right story to the right people.

• Moving from traditional media to digital-first comms
• Lessons from bushfire and COVID-19 emergency response
• When video works — and when it doesn’t
• Launching TikTok with Victoria Police
• Ditching vanity metrics for meaningful reporting
• Building skilled, strategic comms teams

• TikTok | Victoria Police
• Blog | GovComms Podcast
• LinkedIn | GovComms

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your comms team keeping up, or just keeping busy?

In this episode of GovComms, David Pembroke sits down with Mitchell Dye, the dynamic voice behind the City of Greater Geelong’s external communications. From community radio to leading digital strategy, Mitchell shares a front-row view of how local government is reinventing the way it engages with citizens—one authentic story at a time.

David and Mitchell unpack what it takes to stand out in the crowded digital landscape, why the best communicators aren’t always in the comms team, and how to build trust through relatable, local voices. With fresh insights from years of hands-on experience, Mitchell offers a practical roadmap for future-proofing local government communication.

• Reinventing comms in local government
• Authentic storytelling vs polished branding
• What community radio taught Mitchell about public comms
• Finding trusted voices beyond the comms team
• Managing 24/7 comms without burning out

• Planner | Microsoft
• 94.7 The Pulse | Geelong Community Radio
• Blog | GovComms Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How will AI reshape the future of government communications—and what skills will you need to thrive?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke is joined by Wayne Aspland, expert in public sector communication and AI strategy, to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the role of communicators today and into 2030.

Wayne shares how government teams can build AI capability, drive strategic alignment, and stay trusted in an era of rapid technological change. He also explains why human creativity, leadership, and critical thinking will be even more essential as automation accelerates.

• How AI is reshaping communication roles
• Achieving alignment across complex teams
• Building AI skills as a team
• Managing AI risks with clear guardrails

• Day in the life of a comms person in 2030 | Wayne Aspland
• State of the Sector report | Gallagher
• Blog | GovComms Podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.