Humanising Legislative Reform Through Storytelling

Major legislative reform does not become successful simply because a new Act comes into force. It succeeds when the people responsible for delivering it understand not only what has changed, but why it matters.

Following significant aged care reform, a Federal Government agency recognised that embedding the principles of a rights-based system required more than policies, guidance and training. Holan Group was engaged to design an innovative internal change initiative that would help staff connect emotionally with the purpose of reform and understand how their everyday decisions contribute to better outcomes for older Australians.

The challenge

Years of intensive reform activity had created significant change fatigue across the organisation. While teams directly involved in reform had developed a strong understanding of the new legislative framework, consultation identified that knowledge of the Statement of Rights was not yet consistently embedded across the wider workforce.

Traditional communications risked becoming lost amongst competing priorities. The agency needed an approach that would cut through information overload, create a shared understanding of the Rights and build a lasting cultural shift from a provider-focused model to stewardship of a rights-based aged care system.

Approach

Holan designed and delivered A Notebook of Rights-Based Reform — a creative internal engagement campaign that translated complex legislative reform into an accessible and meaningful experience for staff.

The initiative included:

• Developing a visual storytelling framework — creating a distinctive hand-drawn notebook style that humanised complex policy concepts and encouraged reflection.
• Designing a phased engagement campaign — producing eight themed notebook editions released over several months to sustain momentum and reinforce learning.
• Creating practical communication tools — developing downloadable resources, digital content and supporting materials that could be used across multiple teams and business areas.
• Supporting leadership conversations — providing executive talking points and discussion resources to encourage consistent leadership engagement throughout the organisation.
• Embedding change across existing channels — integrating the campaign into webinars, team meetings, SharePoint, Microsoft Teams and other established communication forums.

Outcome

Greater awareness and understanding. Interim evaluation showed awareness of the Rights increased from 54 per cent to 85 per cent, while understanding increased from 45 per cent to 79 per cent.

A stronger connection to purpose. Staff consistently reported that the storytelling approach helped them understand the lived experience of older Australians and strengthened their connection to the purpose behind the reforms.

Practical application of the Rights. Participants reported greater confidence in applying the Rights to their everyday work, helping translate legislative intent into practical decision making across diverse functions.

A lasting cultural legacy. The final notebook celebrated both the voices of older Australians and the contribution of departmental staff, reinforcing a shared commitment to stewardship and ensuring the initiative became more than a communications campaign—it became part of the organisation’s cultural journey.

By combining creative design, visual storytelling and structured organisational change, the initiative demonstrated that successful reform depends not only on changing systems and processes, but on changing how people think, feel and act. The result was a more engaged workforce better equipped to embed the principles of rights-based aged care into everyday decision making.

Want to learn more?

We help organisations navigate complex reform by combining strategic change management with creative communication and engagement. Our specialists design practical initiatives that build understanding, encourage behavioural change and create lasting organisational adoption.

What We Offer

Strategic Change Management

Designing and delivering change strategies that help organisations successfully embed complex reforms.

Creative Communications & Storytelling

Developing engaging campaigns that translate complex policy, legislation and organisational change into meaningful experiences for diverse audiences.

Leadership Engagement

Equipping senior leaders with the tools, messaging and resources to champion change and foster organisational alignment.

Visual Design & Learning Resources

Creating high-quality illustrations, graphics and interactive resources that simplify complexity and improve understanding.

Culture & Behaviour Change

Helping organisations build lasting cultural change by connecting people with purpose, strengthening capability and embedding new ways of working.