Connect - 13 August 2021

Racism. It Stops With Me

Unfortunately, racism has hit the headlines again this week, a stark reminder that unacceptable behaviour still happens in our community. It’s an opportunity for us to pause and reflect on what we are doing about it.

Our agency supports the national campaign “Racism! It Stops With Me”. A working group organises initiatives that raise awareness about what racist behaviour is, how to identify it and most importantly, how to challenge and eliminate it. Courses are available via our Aboriginal Cultural Footprint program.

This is a strong framework, but its effectiveness depends on what each of do. So after watching the events of the week, let’s commit again here at DIT.

Horrocks Highway progress

Works on the Horrocks Highway are progressing well with the section south of Gladstone nearing completion.

Nine kilometres of pavement rehab, shoulder sealing and safety barriers have now been completed in this 18 kilometre section of the highway.

This works project forms part of the $55m SA Rural Road focussed on infrastructure upgrades along the 245 kilometre road section of the Horrocks Highway between Wilmington and Gawler.

Digital First: delivering 5S

The Digital First program will clear desks of paper and files to turbocharge our 5S work culture: Sort; Store; Sanitise; Standardise and Sustain.

Digital First’s paperless workplaces promise improved business processes with files and information available anywhere at anytime. This will bring flexibility, mobility and responsiveness. Click on the image below to find out more.

Respect - Share the dignity

The Prospect Service SA centre is giving great support to the current Share the Dignity drive being promoted by our Domestic and Family Violence Community of Practice.

Running through August, the Share the Dignity drive is collecting women’s hygiene products and raising funds for their purchase to support women and girls who are living through the devastation of domestic and family violence.

Assistant Manager, Katherine McKechnie’s decoration of the collection box and a donation focussed casual day last Friday gave impetus to the centre’s efforts. Donation boxes are also in other Service SA centres, as well as several DIT locations in Adelaide.

Greg Haydon, Mel Archer and Katherine McKechnie at Prospect SSA

Olympian road safety ambassadors

Congratulations to our THINK! Road Safety Ambassadors, Annette Edmondson and Alex Porter for their remarkable performances at the Tokyo Olympics. While their results may not have been what they had hoped and trained for, sport at the highest level does not always reward effort and sacrifice. Alex’s team pursuit bronze medal was a testament to his courage and resilience, riding on after his bike failure crash and small moments cruelly impacted Annette’s packed program.

Always willing to be involved in events such as this year’s Road Safety Week display in Rundle Mall (below) and to use their profiles on social media to promote road safety for cyclists, Annette and Alex have done us all proud.

Staff spotlight is on …

Dean Holloway made the shift from Road Transport Inspector to Marine Safety Officer about 15 years ago.

Being based out of Murray Bridge and cruising the river for a living sounds like the dream, but there is a downside not considered by many. What’s recreation for boaties is a serious business for our Marine Safety Officers who work while everyone else plays.

Nonetheless, being rostered on for three weekends out of four as well as for six public holidays each year is worth it for Dean and his colleagues, on their personal mission to keep our waterways safe.

Friday Flashback

Today’s Friday Flashback Railway employees working in the control room for the Adelaide Railway Station in the 1920s.

History Trust of SA Collections