As Australia grapples with increasing polarisation, engagement processes face new challenges. Declining public trust, contested narratives, and diverging values can make even well-intentioned dialogue feel risky. Explore the do’s and don’ts of navigating polarisation to foster genuine, constructive conversations in contested and divided environments — and discover how to create space for honest, inclusive engagement that moves beyond entrenched positions.
RETHINKING ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Advisory committees are a familiar part of community engagement, but they don’t always deliver meaningful results. Too often they are costly, stuck in outdated structures, and fail to reflect the diversity and complexity of today’s challenges. Join us in exploring how to rethink the role of advisory committees - moving beyond token consultation to fostering genuine, people-centred engagement.
CASE STUDY: NORTH WESTERN MELBOURNE PRIMARY HEALTH NETWORK
Improving access to primary health care for multicultural communities was the focus of the North West Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) community panel. Supported by an innovative AI tool, the panel developed practical recommendations and funding ideas for NWMPHN’s federal submission. This process highlighted the importance of genuine community involvement and continues to inform NWMPHN’s place-based health initiatives, showing that addressing barriers to care requires more than policy.
#MONTHLYMYTH: YOU CAN'T ACHIEVE RESULTS IN A DAY
Think meaningful engagement takes months? Think again. With the right focus and facilitation, even a single session can unlock insights, shift perspectives, and build momentum. In this #MonthlyMyth, we unpack why skipping conversations can be risky - and how short, well-designed engagement can deliver real results.
CASE STUDY: DAMBIMANGARI ABORIGINAL CORPORATION
MosaicLab and Dambimangari Aboriginal Corporation co-designed a Code of Conduct training that brought values to life. Over a day and a half, staff explored ethics and workplace behaviour through real-life scenarios, cultural storytelling, and hands-on activities - then shaped the Code in their own words, images, and symbols. The process built clarity, connection, and confidence - and ensured the team has a Code that’s lived, not just learned.
INSIDE MOSAICLAB
We don’t just facilitate conversations - we design them with purpose, strategy, and care. In under three minutes, our new video lifts the lid on what really happens behind the scenes at MosaicLab. It’s not just about what we do, but how and why we do it - and what makes our work different. Come take a look - this time, we’re the story.
LET'S WORK TOGETHER - FOR FREE!
Have a challenging issue to tackle but lack the resources for meaningful engagement? ML Giving is MosaicLab’s not-for-profit division and we’re here to help. We support emerging and under-served communities in fostering deeper conversations that drive real change. We believe everyone deserves a voice in shaping their communities. Learn how you can apply to work with us.
THE FACILITATOR FILES - INSIDE MEANINGFUL DELIBERATION
What makes a deliberation work? How do people with different views tackle big decisions together? Between 2024 and 2025, our facilitators have delivered (or are in the middle of delivering) nine deliberative engagement processes and two standing panels across three Australian states. Along the way, they've been filming exclusive sneak peeks of the panels at work, providing first-hand insights into what really goes on behind the scenes of a deliberative process. Let’s dive in!
CASE STUDY: NATIONAL MODEL FOR SPIRITUAL CARE IN HEALTH
How do you bring stakeholders from across Australia together to shift how spiritual health is embedded in our healthcare system? MosaicLab partnered with the Spiritual Health Association to design and facilitate an engagement process that helped shape the country’s first National Model for Spiritual Care in Health. The model was piloted in 21 hospitals and health services, including a national health service. After the pilot, sites conducted audits to assess its impact on spiritual care, staff awareness, and patient experiences. The results were published in an evaluation report released in late 2024, offering key insights from this national initiative.
CASE STUDY: CITY OF MELBOURNE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PANEL
The City of Melbourne views affordable housing as crucial infrastructure for maintaining a liveable, inclusive, and prosperous city. With a projected shortfall of 23,200 affordable homes by 2036, immediate action is needed to address this long-standing issue. While there is broad community support for affordable housing, acceptance often wanes at the neighbourhood level. To tackle this, a People’s Panel of 39 diverse community members was established to represent local perspectives.