If you’d told me yesterday morning that I’d be stuck overnight in Ballina because of a windstorm, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But that’s the reality of working in government communications, one moment you’re preparing to talk strategy with students, the next you’re stranded after stakeholder engagement sessions on the North Coast, watching palm trees bend at wild angles outside a motel window.

Still, there are worse places to be grounded than Ballina (or Byron Bay, just down the road). And as it turns out, nothing beats the adrenaline of racing straight from a delayed flight into a room full of eager TAFE students ready to dive into the messy, wonderful world of public sector comms.

Today was all about storytelling, listening and the delicate art of balancing policy with public expectation. I had the privilege of guest speaking to students studying marketing and communications at TAFE, sharing what it’s really like to work inside a government department and how the landscape is changing fast. Unfortunately, a lot of the room have their hearts set on the sexy PR agency life, which reminds me of the work we have to do to win the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Today, governments face increasing pressure to be more transparent, responsive and inclusive. It’s not just about announcements and media releases anymore. Communities want real engagement across digital platforms, through local touchpoints and in ways that feel relevant to their lives. The best teams are embracing this shift, looking for ways to listen better, speak more clearly and deliver communications that build trust, not just awareness.

One of the most rewarding parts of the session was seeing how curious and thoughtful the students were. Their questions went straight to the heart of what matters in this field: How do we reach people who don’t engage with digital tools? What happens when government gets the message wrong? How do we ensure our work is inclusive, not just accessible?

These are exactly the kinds of questions we need more voices asking and I left that classroom feeling equal parts exhausted and energised. These sessions always reminds me of the responsibility we hold as communicators, but also of the joy in passing that knowledge on.

Huge thanks to Anne Lawler and the team at TAFE for having me (and for bearing with my slightly flustered, windblown entrance).