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

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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

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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

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What happens when your council loses public trust—and you’re the one answering the questions?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Chloe Casey, Manager of Communications and Corporate Governance at the City of Casey, about leading through the fallout of the Operation Sandon investigation.

Chloe shares how her team managed misinformation, community confusion, and the absence of elected councillors for almost five years, all while ensuring communications remained clear, composed, and responsive.

She also reveals how they’re using AI, short-form video, and cold outreach to connect with the City of Casey, home to one of Australia’s most culturally and linguistically diverse communities. Her insights offer practical guidance for any government communicator navigating through change.

• Leading through crisis with clarity and speed
• Combining comms and governance for stronger responses
• Engaging CALD communities with targeted outreach
• Using AI, video, and plain English to boost impact

• Brolly | Social Media Management
• Blog | GovComms Podcast

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What if the best ideas in your team are the ones you never hear?

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Richard Etienne—internal communications expert, author of The Introvert’s Survival Guide, and founder of The Introvert Space. Together, they explore how introverts can lead, influence, and thrive in workplaces that often reward volume over value.

From overcoming self-doubt to navigating hybrid work, Richard shares powerful, practical strategies to help introverts find their voice—without having to shout. He also offers advice for leaders on how to build inclusive teams where every personality type can succeed.

Whether you identify as an introvert, manage one, or simply want to create more inclusive and effective teams, this episode is packed with eye-opening insights and actionable tips.

• Why introverts often go unheard—and how to change that
• How to build your personal brand without self-promotion
• The hidden strengths introverts bring to leadership
• What Theresa May taught Richard about quiet influence at the top

• The Introvert Space | Richard Etienne
• The Introvert’s Survival Guide | Richard Etienne
• Quiet | Susan Cain
• Blog | GovComms Podcast

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Trust is on life support. People are tuning out. Tech is speeding up. Noise is everywhere. So how can government communicators break through?

In this powerhouse episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke is joined by Ros Weadman – strategic communication expert, author, and driving force behind the Elevate Local Government Communications Summit 2025 – to unpack what it really takes to cut through and connect in today’s chaotic communication landscape.

Ros doesn’t pull punches. With four decades in the game, she makes it clear: the old ways of pushing messages just won’t cut it. It's time to ditch the jargon, lead with heart, and communicate with courage.

This is more than an episode—it’s a call to arms for public sector communicators who want to build trust, lead with purpose, and transform how government speaks to the people it serves.

• How to ditch “message selling” and embrace bold, emotional storytelling
• The real reason people feel disconnected—and how to bring them back
• How to paint a vision people can believe in (and see themselves in)
• What’s broken in community engagement—and how to fix it
• Why communicators must stop hiding behind process and step up as leaders

• Elevate Local Government Communication Summit | GOVCOMM
• Evaluation Framework for Strategic Communication | PRIA
• Blog | GovComms Podcast

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Is Google still the king of search or has AI changed the game forever?

The way people find information is undergoing the biggest shift in decades and government communicators can’t afford to be left behind. In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke speaks with Jim Stewart, CEO of Stewart Media, about the seismic shift in digital search and what it means for public sector communication.

A 25-year SEO veteran, Jim explains why this transformation is as significant as the birth of the internet and how government agencies can stay visible in AI-driven searches. From optimising government websites for AI-driven platforms to ensuring search bots can access critical public information, Jim breaks down the practical strategies to stay ahead.

This isn’t just another tech trend – it’s a fundamental shift in how people find and use information. If you're in government communications, you can’t afford to ignore it. Tune in now to learn how to keep your content discoverable, credible and ready for the AI era.

• Learn how AI is reshaping search and SEO strategies.
• Discover why government communicators must adapt to AI search.
• Find out how to keep public sector content visible online.
• Expert tips on optimising websites for AI bots.
• Explore AI tools that enhance communication and accessibility.
• Understand the future of government messaging in the AI era.

• NotebookLM | Google
• ChatGPT | OpenAI
• Trends | Google
• How Robots.txt works | Google
• Beyond Google: Mastering Search in A World Of AI Assistants | Jim Stewart
• Website | StewArt Media
• Blog | GovComms Podcast

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Great communicators aren’t born—they’re made.

In this episode of GovComms, host David Pembroke chats with Dr. Louise Mahler, an expert in leadership communication, about the art of presence, authenticity, and confidence. With a background in business and opera, Louise brings a unique perspective to what makes a great communicator—and why government professionals need to master these skills.

Louise shares practical techniques to improve public speaking, from voice control and body language to storytelling and audience engagement. She explains the power of the "rule of three", how to structure compelling messages, and why good communication starts with breathing and body awareness.

Whether you’re presenting to stakeholders, leading a team, or engaging the public, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you command attention and build trust. If you want to captivate, connect, and communicate with impact, this is the masterclass you need.

• Gravitas builds trust through presence, authenticity, and confidence.
• Strong delivery relies on voice, body language, and gestures.
• The rule of three makes messages clear and memorable.
• Overcome self-doubt with mantras and better posture.
• Storytelling, humour, and connection keep audiences engaged.
• Breathing and structure improve communication impact.

• Website | Louise Mahler
• Gravitas | Louise Mahler
• The 5 Canons of Classical Rhetoric | ThoughtCo
• The Rule of 3 | Leadership Garden
• GovComms Podcast | Blog

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