I had the pleasure of attending the 2025 Engagement Conference in Melbourne — always one of the most energising events on the engagement calendar. Alongside catching up with colleagues from across the sector, I particularly enjoyed Bernard Salt’s keynote on demographic change and Australia’s emerging “next normal.” His reflections on population shifts, urban renewal, and community identity were spot on for anyone working in place-based engagement.

It was inspiring to see the breadth of projects being delivered across Australia, each one showing how thoughtful engagement shapes better outcomes. And of course, it was a proud moment to watch Cumberland’s Guildford Laneway project recognised with an IAP2 Core Values Award during the conference.

A terrific few days all round — and plenty of ideas I’m bringing back into my work with ERIS Consulting as we head toward 2026.

Keynote speaker Bernard Salt addressing the audience at the 2025 Engagement Conference in Melbourne, sharing insights on Australia’s demographic future.

A mythological golden apple

Communications and engagement often begin in messy places — competing priorities, overlapping expectations, unclear information, and communities trying to make sense of fast-moving change. The work isn’t about controlling the chaos; it’s about creating clarity within it. When people understand what’s happening, why it matters, and how they can be part of the conversation, projects move forward with far more confidence and trust.

That’s really the heart of my practice. Whether the setting is a town centre, a laneway upgrade, a major infrastructure project or a local business activation, the aim is always the same: listen closely, distil what’s important, and bring people together around a shared purpose. Engagement done well doesn’t eliminate complexity, but it makes that complexity navigable — and sometimes even energising.

The Golden Apple in the ERIS brand is a reminder of this. Out of discord comes a chance for understanding. Out of many voices comes direction. Out of complexity comes harmony.

It’s the philosophy behind my work, and the quiet thread running through every project I take on.