In this episode, Robert Hortle, the Commissioner of Wage Inspectorate Victoria, joins Cube Group Director Chloe Symes. Wage Inspectorate Victoria ensure employers pay their workers fairly under powers set out in the Wage Theft Act 2020. Their work protects people from being paid too little or not receiving the correct entitlements, such as overtime, penalty rates or superannuation.  

Wage Inspectorate Victoria has a vision to create productive and prosperous Victorian workplaces. In their first year of operation they supported more than 15,000 Victorians. The Inspectorate recouped over $309,367 in underpaid long service leave entitlements and has taken strong action in the courts for those not complying with legal obligations. Their role also includes issuing permits to employers of children under 15 years of age as well as overseeing compliance with Victoria’s owner-driver and forestry contractor laws.  

In this episode, Rob and Chloe talk about the establishment of Wage Inspectorate Victoria which occurred in the depths of Victoria’s lockdowns. Rob reflects on the importance of engaging staff deeply to build culture from the ground up and how to hold steady during times of uncertainty. Given the Inspectorate’s role in supporting some of Victoria’s most vulnerable people the conversation reflects on ensuring accessibility of services. The recording ends on an interesting reflection on the role of ‘ego’ in leadership and maintaining the different energy it takes to lead an organisation authentically.  

Show notes:  

• This episode's transcript can be accessed here 

In this episode, Sue Eddy, the CEO of the Victorian Building Authority joins Cube Group Director Chloe Symes. The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) works to safeguard Victoria’s future through regulating Victoria’s building and plumbing industries.   

The VBA oversees a $41.9 billion industry, issues 123,330 building permits and oversees 25,489 building practitioners. The VBA is facing extraordinary change including significant growth projections for Victoria, the transformation of Victoria’s building sector and a shift towards encouraging and incentivising good behaviour.

In this episode, Sue and Chloe talk about the development of VBA’s ‘Vision27’ strategic plan, the importance of having a collaborative way of engaging with stakeholders and staff when developing a strategy and the VBA’s shift towards prevention and early intervention.

Show notes:

• This episode's transcript can be accessed here

In this episode, Lynda McAlary-Smith, the Victorian Small Business Commissioner joins Cube Group Director Chloe Symes. The Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) plays a critical role in enabling entrepreneurship across Victoria – ensuring small businesses have low-cost dispute resolution options for disputes they may face with anyone who’s not a retailer consumer.

Victoria has over 600,000 small businesses and still has some of the highest small business growth – despite COVID-19 lockdowns. The VSBC responded to over 5,175 applications for help last year and aims to make their services accessible to the diverse range of small business owners across Victoria.

In this episode, Lynda and Chloe talk about Lynda’s personal connection to small businesses, tips for people starting a small business, the unique challenges small businesses face in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and reflect on modern regulation.

Show notes:

• You can get in contact with VSBC by dialling ’13 VSBC’ or ‘13 8722’ or visit their website at vsbc.vic.gov.au

In this episode, Stephen Gniel, CEO at Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority joins Cube Group Director Tom Craven. VCAA and its partners in the Victorian education system are currently doing a major reform of senior school education, and it is said to be one of the most significant changes since the introduction of the VCE.  Together, Stephen and Tom chat about the task of leading a major, complex, and multifaceted reform, what leaders can learn about the process and how we can set up our systems to adapt into the future. 

This episode was recorded in August 2022. 

SHOW NOTES:

• This episode's transcript can be accessed here.

In this episode, Elissa Scott, CEO Blue Light Victoria joins Cube Group Director Tom Craven. Blue Light Victoria aims to inspire, engage and equip young people to be their best self. Together, Elissa and Tom discuss the changing needs of young people today, why partnerships are essential to the organisation's impact and success and about leadership as we emerge into the ‘new normal’ following the pandemic. 

This episode was recorded on 2nd August 2022. 

SHOW NOTES:

• This episode's transcript can be accessed here.

In this episode, Louise Glanville, CEO Victoria Legal Aid joins Cube Group Director Tom Craven. Victoria Legal Aid provides free legal information and education to all Victorians, with a focus on prevention and early resolution of legal problems. Together, Louise and Tom discuss how VLA continued to deliver their essential service during the pandemic when historical face-to-face business models didn't easily translate into a virtual environment.

This episode was recorded on 11th January 2022.

SHOW NOTES:

• This episode's transcript can be accessed here.

In this episode, Tom Craven speaks with Lee Miezis, who in January 2020, became the Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) CEO, a permanent and dedicated agency working directly with local communities impacted by the devastating bushfires. Shortly after this, coronavirus hit Australian shores when many Australian communities were only just emerging from the devastation.

In this episode, Lee shares how his team at BRV worked to ensure focus and priority remained on the bushfire recovery efforts when the pandemic became Australia's top priority. Now, as the CEO of Environment Protection Authority Victoria, Lee also shares how the EPA has remained engaged with staff in the online environment and why you can't communicate too much. 

This episode was recorded on 2nd December 2021.

SHOW NOTES:

This episode's transcript can be accessed here. 

In this episode, Christine Mathieson, CEO of EDVOS (the specialist family violence service for Melbourne’s eastern region) joins Cube Group Director Tom Craven. EDVOS is a non-government organisation providing a range of services to women, their children and their pets, to help keep them safe from harm and recover from the impacts of trauma and abuse. Together, Christine and Tom discuss the impact of pandemic related lockdowns for people experiencing family violence. 

This episode was recorded on 19th October 2021. 

SHOW NOTES:

This episode's transcript can be accessed here.

Melbourne’s continued lockdowns and social distancing rules have profoundly impacted our homeless population. In this episode, Anne Mitchell, Program Manager for Steps Outreach Service, joins Cube Group Director Tom Craven to discuss how the organisation’s in-person support model was quickly adjusted to support vulnerable young people during the pandemic and specifically in the continued lockdowns. 

Katrina McKenzie, General Manager for City Economy and Activation at the City of Melbourne joins Tom Craven for our latest episode of From all Sides. Together, they discuss the local government’s recovery and revitalisation efforts from the COVID-19 pandemic.

This episode was recorded on 16th August 2021.