Wingecarribee shire council
organisational change program
OrganisationAL Profile
Wingecarribee Shire Council is the local government authority for the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, serving communities across towns and villages including Bowral, Mittagong, Moss Vale, and beyond. The Council is committed to delivering high-quality services, sustainable development, and strong community engagement.
Focused on enhancing the liveability, resilience, and prosperity of the region, Wingecarribee Shire Council supports local infrastructure, environmental initiatives, economic development, and social wellbeing—guided by a vision for a connected, thriving, and sustainable future.
organisational change program
Wingecarribee Shire Council engaged the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to support a strategic and purpose-led Organisational Change Program through the delivery of two bespoke initiatives:
Change Ambassador Leadership Program
All-Staff Conference Team Visioning Program
Together, these programs were designed to build internal leadership capability, foster cultural alignment, and empower staff at all levels to actively contribute to the organisation’s transformation.
ALA’s approach focused on enabling leadership from within, cultivating values-based behaviours, and creating a shared vision for the future—laying the groundwork for a more connected, collaborative, and resilient workplace culture.
Change Ambassador TEAM
Leadership Program
The Change Ambassador Leadership Program was developed to equip a cross-functional ambassador team with the skills, confidence, and mindset to support the organisation’s ongoing growth and transformation.
Central to ALA’s methodology was its signature agenda-setting process, which enabled ambassadors to identify and prioritise their most significant adaptive challenges. These included leading change, shaping a values-aligned culture, and constructively supporting colleagues through complexity, ambiguity, and transition.
Wingecarribee Shire Council - Change Ambassador Team
The program focused on four core developmental pillars:
Adaptive Leadership – strengthening the capacity to lead through change and navigate ambiguity with resilience
Values-Based Leadership – embedding shared values into everyday leadership to foster trust and clarity
Collective Team Vision – aligning the ambassador group around a unifying purpose and vision for organisational cultural change
High-Impact Peer Coaching – Encouraging self-awareness, mutual support, and sustained accountability across the team, while actively developing the ambassadors’ coaching practice to build confidence, and strengthen their ability to support others through change .
change ambassador team
leadership Program Feedback
ALA’s leadership program was motivational and challenging?
98% strongly Agree
ALA’s program supported the needs of the Change Ambassador team?
97% strongly Agree
The Change Ambassador team actively participated in the program?
95% strongly Agree
ALA’s leadership facilitator was credible and effective?
99% strongly Agree
“openness and willingness to strive for a collective improvement in the work environment”
— Oran Papierniak, Water Crew Team
“empower my staff to reach their own conclusions with supportive guideance”
— Roger Moore, Coordinator Waste Water Network
“Apollo 11 required a number of course correction burns to stay on track. Over the past two sessions, I feel I’ve undergone a personal course correction burn, a tweak, an adjustment, to keep me heading towards the goal.
Thanks so much!”
— Craig Bennett, Project Manager
To what extent would you recommend the Australian Leadership Academy?
98% highly recommend
CHANGE AMBASSADOR Program outcomes
The Change Ambassador Program equipped a dedicated cross functional cohort to actively lead cultural transformation and organisational growth.
Fostering a Coaching Culture
Ambassadors developed a coaching approach—asking insightful questions, deepening listening skills, and building trust. This mindset has strengthened individual reflection and collective accountability across the organisation.Leading with Intention
Ambassadors modelled above-the-line behaviours—staying constructive, present, and purpose-driven. Their commitment to personal responsibility has supported the culture of openness and integrity.Championing Change
Ambassadors supported colleagues through uncertainty and challenge, modelling positivity and resilience. Their actions created stronger team cohesion and a shared sense of momentum.Building Collective Commitment
By aligning to a shared vision and organisational values, ambassadors actively contributed to a stronger, more connected culture. Their advocacy has inspired broader participation and buy-in across teams.Sustaining the Work
Through ongoing dialogue, feedback, and visible action, ambassadors continue to embed the principles of EVOLVE —ensuring that a one team mindset remains a lived focus within the organisation.
all staff conferencE
Team visioning program
team visioning program
In addition, team members voted on the name of the change initiative, with the overwhelming response in favour of EVOLVE—a title that captures the spirit of growth, adaptability, and shared progress.
The name reflects the Council’s collective commitment to continuous improvement, cultural alignment, and a forward-thinking mindset, signalling a united step toward building a more connected, responsive, and future-ready organisation.
EVOLVE WINGECARRIBEE
As part of the wider cultural development initiative and to ensure organisation-wide alignment, ALA also facilitated a dynamic Team Visioning Program during the Wingecarribee Shire Council’s All-Staff Conference. This highly highly interactive session was designed to engage every team member in shaping a shared vision for the future of the organisation.
As part of the Team Visioning Program, every team member was invited to actively contribute by voting the organisational team culture they most wanted to see embodied at Council. The clear consensus landed on ‘A Great Team’, reflecting a collective aspiration toward high-performing, values-aligned collaboration.
program outcomes
The session created an inclusive platform to strengthen:
Connection – across departments, teams, and individuals
Collaboration – with a shared commitment to collective success
Trust and Unity – by surfacing common aspirations and reinforcing shared purpose
Personal Responsibility – through an emphasis on values-based behaviour and cultural ownership
The Change Ambassador team played a central role in supporting the session, modelling leadership in action, and amplifying key messages throughout the event. The session received overwhelmingly positive feedback and strengthened momentum for the desired organisational culture.
Together, these initiatives have created a shared language, deepened engagement, and fostered a stronger, more connected team aligned to a clear and purpose-driven organisational vision.
Wingecarribee All Staff Conference
