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Case Study: Yarra Ranges Shire Council

The Power of Whole-of-Organisation Bystander Training

Yarra Ranges staff in a meeting roomWhy it is important

This initiative demonstrates how mandatory, organisation wide training can drive measurable cultural change, equipping staff across all levels to challenge discrimination and foster safer, more inclusive workplaces.

Yarra Ranges Council partnered with Women’s Health East to deliver compulsory Gender Equity and Active Bystander Training between January 2024 and July 2025. This responded to a clear need to address discriminatory behaviours and empower staff to speak up, aligning with Council’s commitment to gender equity and the prevention of violence against women.

Council delivered workshops to 863 staff (95% of the workforce) across diverse teams including outdoor crews, early childhood educators, school crossing supervisors, office-based staff, and senior leaders. Each session focused on identifying disrespectful behaviours, understanding the gendered drivers of violence, and building practical skills to intervene safely and effectively.

Staff reported increased confidence and solidarity, with training feedback such as: “I feel confident to call out discriminatory behaviour,” and “training in large groups makes me feel supported when calling things out.” Post training data showed a significant increase in confidence to challenge discrimination. Council’s 2025 People Matter Survey, revealed a 10% improvement in perceptions of organisational action against bullying, harassment and discrimination and a 5% decrease in reported experiences of discrimination.

Key lessons include the importance of mandatory training to reach all staff and starting with leadership to build early momentum. These insights are now shaping Council’s organisation-wide sexual harassment training. This work has contributed to a positive cultural shift, with staff more prepared and supported to act on issues of gender inequality and disrespect. Continued investment in this space will be essential to sustaining long term change.

Call to action

Council encourages other organisations to make prevention focused, organisation wide training a priority, because it works and creates real, measurable change.