Note from Wendy
Hello there!
How exciting – welcome to the very first edition of POWER UP!
Each month, we’ll be sharing a quick update from the field, links to useful resources, and a spotlight on regional leaders doing brilliant things. Think of it as your Monthly Recharge—easy to read, packed with value, and with just the right amount of spark thrown in.
You know I’m always banging on about REAL engagement… so I thought I’d kick off this first newsy with a bit of a rundown.
Real Engagement in Real Communities
At Engaged Outcomes, we’re on a mission to improve engagement in regional Australia—because regions deserve lasting benefits and a positive legacy from hosting the infrastructure that powers the energy shift. To make that happen, technical skills need to be backed by cultural and contextual understanding—and a human approach. It’s not just what you know, it’s how you show up.
We know many people doing beautiful work across the regions—leading with care, integrity, and deep respect. But we’ve also seen the flip side: poor engagement driven by a lack of understanding of what it takes to work well with community. That’s why we developed the REAL Framework. And yes—we all love a good acronym!
REAL might sound a bit naff, but it works two ways—and it sticks. Communities expect engagement to be Respectful, Empathetic, Authentic, and Listening. And those doing the work need to lead with relationships, emotional intelligence, authenticity, trust-building, and the courage to lean in.
The REAL Framework was co-designed over 18 months with community members, industry, peak bodies, and experienced regional engagement practitioners. It’s grounded in four layers of context—Community, Organisational, National, and Personal—and brought to life through practical actions that build trust.
Want to know more? Jump onto our Foundations program or reach out. We love to talk 😊
Until next month,
Regards,
Wendy
Voices from the regions
Kylie BourneThis month, we’re shining a light on Councillor Kylie Bourne—a true regional engagement powerhouse. Kylie’s a second-term Councillor for Western Downs, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and holds qualifications in leadership, tourism, finance, and management. She grew up in Drillham and now lives in Miles, where she’s been an active part of the community for over 20 years. From teaching in remote schools to working in cultural development, Kylie’s always been hands-on. She’s also contributed to local groups like the Miles Chamber of Commerce and the Historical Village Museum. With her family’s properties directly impacted by both resource and renewable projects, Kylie brings a grounded, first-hand understanding of the challenges and opportunities these developments bring to regional communities. We’re thrilled to feature her voice in this episode of The emPOWER Series. Kylie is also speaking at our upcoming RegionalConnect Integration Dalby workshop. |
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EmPOWER Podcast
Our emPOWER Series is designed for people who are engaging in regional Australia and are dedicated to supporting the energy transition. The series provides practical skills and insights to inspire action, better understanding of stakeholders and improved outcomes.
EmPOWER is proudly supported by The Energy Charter, a CEO collaboration across the energy sector nationally, delivering better outcomes for customers and communities in the energy transition.
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🎙️ Episode 13: Beyond Netball Skirts & BBQs - How Miles Took Control with a Community Investment Plan Voices from the Region Series with Cr Kylie Bourne When big energy projects roll into town, what’s really left behind? In this episode, we chat with Deputy Mayor Kylie Bourne about how the community of Miles, QLD, turned short-term sponsorship into long-term impact. You’ll hear how a local-led investment plan aligned industry dollars with community priorities—and what we can all learn from it. |
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🎙️Episode 14: Global Insights – Lessons for Australia’s Energy Transition Lighthouse Series with Nils Hay Wendy chats with Winston Churchill Fellow Nils Hay about what regional Australia can learn from communities around the world already navigating the energy transition. From success stories to cautionary tales, they unpack how we can move faster and deliver real, lasting benefits for the regions that host the infrastructure. Smart insights. Practical lessons. Global perspective. Worth a listen! |
Catch up on our latest episodes here.
POWER HOUR
PowerHour is back in 2025 with another six-episode round-up 🙌
These interactive virtual forums will explore issues relevant to engaging in Regional areas, providing you with small bite-size learning opportunities, exposure to key stakeholder perspectives, and the opportunity to connect with existing resources. You will leave the forum with fresh insights and understanding and have added some actionable strategies to add to your engagement toolkit.
We are excited to welcome back our foundation partner, Powerlink. Powerlink are a leading Australian provider of high voltage electricity transmission network services, providing electricity to more than five million Queenslanders and 241,000 businesses. Their network extends 1,700 kilometres (km) from Cairns to the New South Wales border, and comprises 15,449 circuit km of transmission lines and 152 substations.
We are also excited to announce a new sponsor for 2025, Windlab. Windlab are the 100% Australian renewable energy company - going BIG on renewables. They use world-leading science and expertise to find, develop, and deliver the best performing clean energy projects on the planet.
Register for our upcoming episodes, starting 16 May.
Catch up on past episodes here.
Upcoming training
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RegionalConnect FoundationsOur entry-level engagement program RegionalConnect Foundations is a two-hour virtual session introducing the core RegionalConnect concepts. A perfect first step to understanding what our regional communities expect and how the REAL framework supports genuine engagement. Introductory price of $99 (discounted until 1 July). |
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RegionalConnect Integration - DalbyA one-of-a-kind immersive training program Early bird special - discounted to $1,500 per person until 1 May (discount code RCI-EARLYBIRD) The RegionalConnect Integration 4-week learning journey begins with an immersive, place-based learning experience, followed by online workshops that culminates with a collaborative virtual Showcase. Combining the proven Engaged Outcomes REAL Framework with hands-on learning, connecting with key local stakeholders, ongoing support, and peer accountability, this program equips engagement practitioners with the tools, self-awareness, and real-world insights to build trust and engage meaningfully with regional communities. *More dates to be announced soon! |
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LeaderConnectEngagement training for Leadership staff With the increasing national focus on improved community engagement and increasing community resistance, its critical that all levels - top down - understand what it takes to engage respectfully and effectively in regional communities. In this intense two-hour session, leaders and managers will understand the critical role of better practice regional engagement in building trust and progressing projects, and the importance of empowering front-line teams to implement it effectively. |
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Fuel for Thought: Big Ideas, Local Impact
RE-Alliance Reports
A fair and lasting energy transition means supporting communities to participate meaningfully, shape their own futures, and share in the benefits. The RE-Alliance Benefit Sharing in Renewable Energy Development report highlights this in action—for example, at Sapphire Wind Farm, where community co-investment and local grants are helping to deliver long-term social and economic outcomes. You can read more here - The RE-Alliance benefit sharing data report is available here: https://www.re-alliance.org.au/reports
