Our Secretary Series is a program of events specifically designed for key leaders and agency heads across the public sector. These events are an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership, connect with other executives in the ACT and across Australia, and access insights that will help you and your team build your impact and an even better public sector.

These are also an opportunity to share your expertise and insights by speaking at an event or program, and build your personal brand or reputation.

Our valedictories are an opportunity for leaders and professionals in the public sector to hear from outgoing secretaries and high-ranking public officials about their careers in the public service. Speakers often reflect on their experiences, and share their advice on how to build a successful career in the sector.

Orations are an important part of the IPAA calendar, and most IPAA divisions host their own annual oration which honours an individual and their contribution to the field of public administration.

IPAA ACT hosts the Helen Williams Oration, established in 2018, in honour of Helen Williams AC, who was the first female to be appointed secretary of an Australian government department.

After joining the public service in 1970, Helen was appointed secretary of the Department of Education in 1985, aged 39.

She went on to be the secretary of several other portfolio departments: the Department of Tourism, Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, and the Department of Human Services, before her retirement in 2009. She was also the Australian Public Service Commissioner from 1998 to 2002. For 17 years she was the only female departmental secretary.

Helen was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1993, and then as a Companion of the Order of Australia in January 2019 for eminent service to public administration through senior advisory roles, and to policy reform and innovative program delivery.

Find out more about past Helen Williams Orations here.

At the core of every department in the public service are executive assistants. Our Executive Assistant Series provides a platform for EAs across the public and private sector to come together and learn, share experiences and ideas, and build their networks. These events are held during business hours as an information session or panel discussion.

IPAA ACT’s Future Leaders Series is designed to help build the public sector leaders of tomorrow.

As an emerging leader, these events can help jump start your public service career, and give you a platform to tap into new networks. Be inspired as you hear from a diverse range of highly regarded leaders in the public sector and industry, giving you unique opportunities to prepare to lead the public sector of tomorrow. Events include panel discussions, an annual Hackathon, podcasts and collaborations with other ACT organisations and groups.

The IPAA National conferences and IPAA ACT’s conferences are a place for delegates to hear and learn from a range of speakers, innovators and thought leaders from across the public and private sectors.