A Friday Note - 28 April 2017

Dear all

Wet and cold after some recent pretty decent weather. I hope those who took the opportunity for a longer break over Easter are relaxed and fresh as we move into Budget time.

SAFETY

Some of you will be aware of my continuing focus and interest in your safety. Just this week I signed off letters of apology on behalf of the department to some of our field services staff for some of the worst bullying and harassment I have seen. While the people involved left the department about two years ago as part of my commitment to staff to take action, the damage to these fine men is awful. I cannot express how appalling it is to see this sort of behaviour in the 21st century in what is supposed to be a modern public sector.

If you are aware of other instances of bullying and harassment please let me know. We have major reform programs in rail and field services to address many of these long standing legacy issues.

As of midnight on Thursday, there had been 28 fatalities this year on South Australian roads.

50 FLINDERS STREET

The new major office for the department is stunning. Well done to those all involved in making this happen. To think much better facilities for many of our staff and with significant savings attached. I love this stuff.

ROAD SHOW

On Thursday we held a successful Infrastructure Road Show at the Marion Shopping Centre, with more than 300 visits. It was a great chance for our department to engage with the community about some of our biggest projects, including the Darlington upgrade.

DIGITAL BUS STOPS

The first digital city bus stop was unveiled on Grote Street yesterday, offering passengers real time information on when the next bus will arrive. A further two digital bus stops in the CBD are planned in partnership with the Adelaide City Council . 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Jobs4Youth Program is seeking SA Public Sector employees to act as mentors for trainees and graduates being recruited through employment programs hosted by the Office for the Public Sector. As a mentor you’ll help a young person establish their career in the public sector. More here.

The Catherine Helen Spence Scholarship will be awarded again in 2017. It will support a woman to investigate social problems and/or undertake a study in the field of social sciences. The investigation or study should be relevant to social conditions in South Australia and be capable of being applied for the benefit of the state. Details here.

ANZAC DAY

Thanks to everyone who worked on the extra services we provided for the Anzac Day March and Dawn Service. Anzac Day is a significant day on the national calendar and our department is proud to play its part.

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

Our Flashback Friday photo is of former South Australian Commissioner of Railways James McGuire (third from the left).

State Library of South Australia: PRG 280/1/22/143

Mr McGuire served as Rail Commissioner from 1916-22 and was actively connected with the railways for 57 years. His family, like so many at the time, made enormous sacrifices in World War 1. Three of his sons died in service, and a fourth served throughout the war and was wounded twice.

Have a good weekend

Michael Deegan