--- title: "EP#154: Part 1 - Building Relationships, Government Spokespersons and Pandemic Response" description: We are joined by Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia. image: https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/NEW%20GOVCOMMS%20ANNOUNCMENT%20TILES%20(3).png --- Talk to us [![fb](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/facebook-brands.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/govcinstitute) [![li](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/linkedin-brands.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/govcomms-institute) [![tw](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/twitter-brands.svg)](https://twitter.com/govc_institute) [![in](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/instagram-brands.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/govcommsinstitute/) [![logo-white](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/logo-white.png?width=197&height=40&name=logo-white.png "logo-white")](https://contentgroup-19617054.hs-sites.com/home-2) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=197&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/ep154-part-1-building-relationships-government-spokespersons-and-pandemic-response) - [Podcast](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) [Back to blog](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast) # EP#154: Part 1 - Building Relationships, Government Spokespersons and Pandemic Response [![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/GovComms%20Institute%20Logo-01.jpg)  GovComms Institute Team](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/govcomms-institute-team)  | Apr 3, 2024 4:46:18 PM ![](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hubfs/NEW%20GOVCOMMS%20ANNOUNCMENT%20TILES%20(3).png) In this episode of GovComms, we are joined by Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia. Bevan shares insights into the nuances of crisis communication during the COVID-19 pandemic, and outlines the strategies and technologies employed by Services Australia to manage public information needs effectively. Bevan also discusses the challenges and strategies of maintaining team dynamics in a remote and hybrid work settings, and emphasises the importance of a supportive and collaborative culture. He highlights how his team adapted to ensure productivity and engagement despite the distance. Furthermore, Bevan explores the significant role of government spokespeople in delivering complex information to the public. He stresses the importance of trusted, non-political figures in building public trust and ensuring clear communication from the government. Stream the episode on Spotify: Watch this episode on YouTube:   Discussed in this episode: - Impact of mentorship and networking in Bevan's early career development. - Bevan's lessons from transitioning from sports journalism to the public service. - Balancing between in-person and remote work for team effectiveness. - Evolution of government communication practices pre and post-COVID.   Show notes: - [Bevan Hannan | LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bevan-hannan/)   --- --- ###### About the Author GovComms Institute Team ### On the same subject ### [EP#70 - Creating a long-term relationship with covid-19](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/creating-a-long-term-relationship-with-covid-19) [Garrett Tyler Parker](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/garrett-tyler-parker) [Government Communication](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/government-communication), [David Pembroke](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/david-pembroke), [COVID 19](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/covid-19), [Garrett Tyler Parker](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/garrett-tyler-parker) ### [EP #91: How to talk about vaccines](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/how-to-talk-about-vaccines) [Merryn McKinnon](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/merryn-mckinnon) [Government Communication](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/government-communication), [David Pembroke](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/david-pembroke), [COVID 19](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/covid-19), [Merryn Mckinnon](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/merryn-mckinnon) ### [EP #80: The path to efficacy: record keeping](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/the-path-to-efficacy-record-keeping) [Jen Snyder](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/author/jen-snyder) [David Pembroke](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/david-pembroke), [COVID 19](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/covid-19), [Change management](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/change-management), [Jen Snyder](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/podcast/tag/jen-snyder) [![GCI Horizontal Logo](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=200&height=41&name=GCI%20%20Horizontal%20Logo.png "GCI Horizontal Logo")](https://blog.govcommsinstitute.com/) A global platform for government communicators. - SITE MAP - [Home](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com) - [About us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/about) - [Contact us](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/contact) - LEGALS - [Privacy Policy](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/pirivacy-policy) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.govcommsinstitute.com/terms-and-conditions) - CONTACT US - [+61 2 6273 0232](tel:+61%202%206273%200232) - [govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au](mailto:govcomms.institute@contentgroup.com.au) - [Level 3, 2 Mort Street, Canberra, ACT 2601 GPO Box 2381, Canberra, ACT 2601](https://goo.gl/maps/4iAFuvdJ1KbTe28CA) - Copyright © 2020 contentgroup Theme designed by [Markentive](https://www.markentive.com/)