Assignment 2 Scenario

Albury in New South Wales and Wodonga in Victoria are twin cities separated
geographically by the Murray River and politically by a State border, in Australia. It
also houses the Albury-Wodonga regional cancer care hospital. According to the 2016
Census of Population, there were 47,974 people in Albury and 39,351 people in
Wodonga.

Wodonga has a long-standing commitment to creating a healthy and well

community. The council believes and strives for equal right to good health, safety,
equitable access to inclusion and participation. The council focuses on Family violence
issues and inclusion strategy. It also addresses obesity issues through healthy food
connect programs.

Albury focuses on reducing the local impact of drugs and alcohol, by engaging with
organisations and community groups on local projects and identify opportunities to
improve its services. It also focuses on food safety regulations along with NSW food
authority; working with food businesses through inspections and seminars. The
council is involved in public safety through environment monitoring and control
including fire safety, mosquito control, asbestos removal etc.

The 2 city councils have decided to put together community groups that will work
across the two cities in the region, with 2 mandates:

1. Increase the immunisation rates across the cities by 5% in one year. (As of 31st
December 2014, Albury Council is no longer providing immunisation services).
2. Increase cancer screening rates in the region and report back to the cancer
care hospital independently with interventions.
3. Assess the risks inherent in both cities in regard to population health and report
back to both city councils with potential recommendations for change.

In your groups:

1. You are a community group, based in one of the cities (with a strong affiliation
to one city).
2. The team members will assume that they have their professional strengths (real
background) and values as well as personal leadership strengths (So if you
have a medical background – you assume this in the team, etc).
3. Your group needs to deal with communities in both cities, stakeholders in the
government (local) and federal, hospitals, organisations, public health entities
and programs. Consider people, strengths and weaknesses in each city.
4. Focus on also how to facilitate changes in the group and in the dealings with
the stakeholders.
5. Undertake wide research in the geographic regions and its politics before
proposing potential interventions.
Considering these, you will address 3 parts of the presentation:

1. Power:
• In the context, what type of power do you have as a team?
• Over whom do you have this type of power? (Eg. City council, Hospital,
particular city/population??)
• What values should you hold, and what ethical considerations should
you be aware of? (Hint: Think about the focus in each city in relation to
Public Health and also the political affiliations).
2. Collaboration and empowerment:
• With whom do you need to collaborate as a team?
• What strategies (plans of action) can you use to facilitate collaboration?
• How can you empower the people you lead?
• How can you have good governance (sharing responsibility,
accountability and power)?
3. Change:
What strategies (plans of action) could you use to facilitate change to respond
effectively to the scenario?