Ms Tanya Martin

APS Graduate Development Program ‘Stewardship is critical in the public service. Our resources come from public funding, and our services are provided for the public. We have a responsibility to appropriately manage our resources and ensure our services meet the public’s needs, both now and into the future.’

Why did you decide to join the APS?

I’m at the beginning of a new career with the APS and am currently participating in the 2024 APS Graduate Development Program. This is a career change for me. My previous career was in a different field in the state-based public service for almost 20 years. I hope to have just as long a career with the APS.

I wanted to see if I could gain a higher sense of achievement as part of an APS agency with a genuine interest and ability to effect positive changes in environmental management. Despite the complexity and competing priorities the MDBA faces, the expertise and leadership I’ve observed in my short time here have been encouraging and inspiring.

Describe your APS role.

I’m employed as a Graduate with the MDBA, and have completed 2 of the 3 graduate placements so far, gaining exposure to the MDBA’s management of the River Murray and regulatory design in the Basin Plan Review. At the end of 2024, I’ll be placed in a position within the MDBA.

I joined the MDBA at an exciting and pivotal time, with work underway to review the first Basin Plan to conclude in 2026. Joining the Australian Public Service as a graduate allows me to contribute to teams with suitable projects, while gaining a broad understanding of the agency’s work.

Stewardship

What does stewardship mean to you, and why is it important?

This simplified definition of stewardship is one that really resonates with me: ‘Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care’. Stewardship is all-encompassing; from the broad set of goals of the organisation that you work for, to the narrower focus of your individual actions and how you use the resources allocated to you.

This definition can also be applied to many other aspects, from material components such as funding, through to abstract concepts such as public trust.

I also think this definition is very fitting for the MDBA, as we’ve been entrusted with the management of the Basin’s water resources. It’s critical that we manage these resources carefully and responsibly.

Why do you feel stewardship is important?

Stewardship is critical in the public service. Our resources come from public funding, and our services are provided for the public. If we fail, there’s no alternative service or business that can step in.

We have a responsibility to appropriately manage our resources and ensure our services meet the public’s needs, both now and into the future. Our resources are finite so we must use them efficiently, and always with a view towards the future impacts of our present decisions.

Was there a defining moment or person who influenced your thinking on this?

I’ve always believed that as a public servant I should hold my responsibilities in high regard. Since joining the MDBA, the idea of maintaining stewardship into the future has been even further impressed upon me because of our core business: managing the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Our current Chief Executive, Andrew McConville, promotes this through the MDBA’s statement of purpose: ‘Rivers, for generations’. Mr McConville is passionate about encouraging staff to tap into their purpose in their work, and then use this motivation to achieve successful outcomes for the MDBA.

Describe how you act as a steward in your current role.

While I’m new to my current role as a graduate with the APS, I bring prior career experience from a state-based public service that I can still apply.

I hope that as my knowledge and experience grows, I can contribute in more meaningful ways to ensure the water resources of the Murray-Darling Basin continue to be managed in a sustainable way for generations to come.

In my brief time with the MDBA, I’ve observed my colleagues rising to the challenge of ensuring the Basin Plan remains fit-for-purpose into the future, particularly in a changing climate.

Understanding how these changes will impact on our management of the Basin over the longer term, and adapting our approach, is crucial. The MDBA is also committed to being more transparent and sharing knowledge with the public as the Basin Plan Review progresses.

What professional experiences or achievements are you most proud of?

I’m proud of the time I spent as a manager of a program in my previous career. The program was for some time plagued with issues due to inadequate staffing. I worked hard to address the deficits and grow it into a functional program that produced significant outcomes for clients.

I’m most proud of my recent career move, where I walked away from a career of almost 20 years after identifying it wasn’t what I was passionate about anymore. I worked hard to retrain so I could find a new career in environmental management. I’m also proud to have gained a position in the MDBA with the 2024 Graduate Development Program.

What is a legacy you hope to leave in your current role, and when you finish your career in the APS?

When I finish my placements with the Graduate Program in the MDBA, I hope the legacy I leave is of someone who is committed to learning and becoming a valuable employee. In turn, I hope this opens up more learning and development opportunities for me within the MDBA, and beyond.

When I finish my career in the APS, I hope to retire with a sense of accomplishment; that I made a valuable contribution to environmental management and ensured the ongoing sustainable management of water resources for future generations.

 What professional advice would you give your younger self?

Stay true to your values and learn from all experiences, whether they’re good or bad. Everything you experience is a foundation upon which you will build further knowledge. You’ll also be valued for your hard work and integrity.

APS Academy program participation

Which program have you participated in, and why did you apply?

When I graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Environmental Science, I was entering a new career with no prior work experience. When I saw the advertisement for the APS Graduate Development Program with the MDBA, I thought it would be a great opportunity to gain meaningful experience in the field with a distinguished natural resources management agency, while being paid a reasonable salary.

Describe your program experience.

I’ve had a great experience with the APS Graduate Development Program to date. I’ve gained a holistic exposure to the APS, including in areas I wouldn’t experience in my current agency.

It can be challenging to complete tasks that are outside my area of knowledge, but I consider it a valuable learning experience. I also gain foundational learning in key areas that are vital to the work of my agency, but not easily quantifiable. This includes in areas such as brief writing, decision making and understanding how the APS must lead change.

Most importantly, I’ve been able to learn from other APS employees whom I would never normally meet within my own agency. The opportunity to engage in career coaching sessions as part of the program is also excellent.

The key takeaway I’ve gained from the program is that we are indeed One APS. I’ve been able to see in my own agency how collaboration and sharing expertise with other government agencies can be valuable in solving problems.

How has this experience contributed to your current role?

Participating in the program has been invaluable in helping to orientate myself as a new employee within the APS. At times, I’ve even been able to provide insights to my work colleagues about current best practice recommendations and APS resources.