Moorabool Shire Council is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing local government authorities, 45 km west of Melbourne, nestled between Melton, Geelong, and Ballarat. Moorabool is home to some 36,344 residents, with a forecast to double in the next 20 years. 

For over two years now, Moorabool Shire Council have been on a transformative journey to evolve their culture and create the best possible working environment for their people. The aspiration of being an employer of choice is not about the title; it’s about recognising that their people have an incredible workplace. This inspiring journey, driven by the People and Culture team, has seen regular and successful positive changes, pushing the envelope to create an organisational environment that is truly desired.

Using the “listen, understand, evolve” technique, the journey is quickly becoming a full cycle. Building connections and relationships with their people was imperative as it generated trust and opened the doors for honest and transparent information sharing. Attending depots of the staff who work on the roads, parks and gardens at 7 am, visiting Maternal and Child Health Centres after hours, going to school crossings to talk to the people who support young children safely across roads to get them to school and community hubs enabled the broadest possible engagement. This approach was the cornerstone of their ‘method’ and instilled a sense of belonging and inclusivity.

All this data then needed to be synthesised, so it was the right time to bring the right people together and connect all the intricate puzzle pieces. An agreed-upon and aspirational vision was quickly established, and the seemingly monumental task was broken down with key milestones and responsibilities identified. Key stakeholders, passions, and strengths were explored to ensure skills and motivations aligned, and as a result, the engine of this ever-evolving machine was established. This was their ‘execution’.

What stemmed was an intent focus on organisational culture, developmental mechanisms, and working conditions that enabled their people to be their best selves and truly achieve their desired work-life balance. A Workforce Plan, People Strategy, Attraction and Retention Strategy, Health Safety and Wellbeing Strategy, Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP), and Culture Survey Action Plan were key strategic documents that reflected their ‘outcomes’.

The People and Culture team has unequivocally committed to this journey and has demonstrated an undeniable intent to listen to their people, act, and, most importantly, see things through. This intent has enabled their people to join this journey and own the positive outcomes. 

The result of their journey so far is a strong organisational culture underpinned by a motivated and satisfied workforce who constantly deliver high quality outcomes. But their work is far from done; the People and Culture team will continue to push the envelope, innovate and creative and they will not rest until Moorabool is well enshrined as a destination employer.

For information about Moorabool Shire Council, visit moorabool.vic.gov.au